Govt Support Legal Services Sector Brexit Initiative

The Government has agreed to support the joint initiative of the Bar of Ireland, the Law Society and the wider legal community in promoting Ireland as a leading centre globally for international legal services.

The initiative, which is also being supported by IDA Ireland, will now form a component of the Government's Brexit strategy.

Making the announcement, Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, said: "I want to compliment our legal sector for taking this key initiative. While the ultimate outcome of the Brexit negotiations remains to be seen, the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union will leave Ireland as the only English-speaking common law jurisdiction in the Union. We will be well placed to provide expanded international litigation and arbitration services.

"Having been supportive of this initiative in its development, the Government has today expressed its support in more formal terms. We recognise the initiative as a timely means of positively exploiting the competitive advantages of our courts and legal systems, which are of global renown, in the provision of EU and other international legal services in a post-Brexit setting. This will also enhance Ireland's international reputation in terms of the wider economy."

An implementation group will now be established to move forward the initiative with the participation of all key stakeholders including Government Departments and IDA Ireland.

The Minister added: "Measures being proposed to further develop our courts and legal systems in support of this initiative will be considered as an integral part of the Government's continuing programme of courts, judicial, legislative and legal services reform that I am leading at my Department in conjunction with the Courts Service and the judiciary."

(MH/CM)