We Continue to Represent Clients Before Any English Court After Brexit

For many law firms, it remains uncertain in what form they will be able to act on the other side of the Channel after the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. Until now, in view of the freedom to provide legal services, a foreign professional qualification — for example, as a German lawyer — was sufficient, at least before courts where wearing a wig is not mandatory. With Brexit, this practice is likely to come to a definitive end. Other law firms operating in Germany are themselves structured under English law as limited liability partnerships (LLPs). For them, even their continued existence in this form on the continent may be in question.

Neither of these risks affects us. Our colleague Yassi Molazadeh studied in England and is a solicitor-advocate admitted under the law of England and Wales. As such, she may continue to appear not only before the lower English courts, like any other English solicitor, but — by virtue of her Higher Rights of Audience (HRA), a special authorisation to appear before the higher courts — also before all higher courts of the United Kingdom and the Supreme Court.

Before these courts, in the absence of such special authorisation, only a wig-wearing barrister may usually address the court. This would naturally entail additional costs.

We, however, will continue to be able to represent clients efficiently before all UK courts from a single source, regardless of whether Brexit takes place and in what form.

Do you have any questions regarding your UK-related matter? Please contact us.