Law Society wants UK-EU talks on mutual recognition and youth mobility for solicitors under 35
Ahead of today’s UK-EU summit, the Law Society has called on the government to open negotiations with the European Union on mutual recognition of professional qualifications (MRPQs) for UK solicitors. This move aims to ease cross-border legal work and training restrictions that have grown since Brexit.
One of the Law Society’s key proposals is the introduction of a youth mobility scheme allowing British solicitors under 35 to train and work in the EU for up to three years. The scheme would help young UK lawyers gain valuable experience across the bloc and strengthen ties between legal professions.
The Society also stressed the importance of establishing a formal system for mutual recognition of professional qualifications. This would provide UK lawyers with a clear, proportionate path to requalify in EU countries, often requiring them to pass an equivalent exam on local law and in the relevant official language(s). Such an arrangement would be a “significant improvement” for UK solicitors wishing to practise within the EU.
Embed from Getty ImagesMutual recognition of qualifications was a feature during Brexit talks. The Conservative government proposed maintaining it with the EU, but the European Commission rejected this as the UK chose to leave the single market. The Law Society sees the upcoming summit as a vital opportunity to restart talks on this front.
Currently, some EU countries allow UK-qualified lawyers to practise under “home-title” rights—meaning they can work under their UK qualification. However, this varies across the 27 EU nations, and Brexit has complicated this patchwork system.
The Society highlights that mutual recognition deals already exist between the UK and certain non-EU countries, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Extending such arrangements to the EU would help preserve competitive access for UK solicitors in Europe’s legal market.
Beyond qualification recognition, the Law Society is also advocating for broader business mobility rights within the EU. Alongside 50 other organisations, it has called for expanded permissions for short-term business travellers, stressing that facilitating trade—not free movement—is the priority.
Society president Richard Atkinson said: “Post-Brexit, UK solicitors have faced significant barriers to working in the EU. This has not only impacted the legal sector but also UK businesses that rely on seamless legal support across borders. To keep the UK competitive, we are calling for better business mobility to let UK lawyers train and work in the EU with as few barriers as possible.”
The UK-EU summit, the first since Brexit, is expected to cover wide-ranging issues including defence, food and agricultural standards, and fish quotas. But the Law Society hopes that legal professional cooperation will feature prominently.
As legal services form a crucial part of UK-EU trade, the Law Society’s call to action reflects broader concerns within the sector. UK solicitors want practical mechanisms to work freely across borders and maintain the UK’s position as a global legal hub.
The summit’s outcomes could mark a turning point in post-Brexit relations, potentially easing legal professional restrictions and creating new pathways for young lawyers. The Law Society’s proposals underline the importance of dialogue and cooperation to support both legal professionals and the wider economy.
