Arbitration Ireland Welcomes Government Approval of Legal Services Brexit Initiative
Arbitration Ireland has welcomed the Government’s support, formally announced on 4 January 2019, of a legal services initiative to make Ireland a global hub for international litigation and arbitration post-Brexit. The initiative, which was promoted by the legal community including Arbitration Ireland, seeks to place Ireland in a position to fully capitalize on the opportunities that may arise post Brexit, when Ireland will effectively be the only English-speaking common-law jurisdiction fully integrated into the European legal order.
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, has today announced that 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.
Minister 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.”
Building on today’s formal support by the Government, it is anticipated that a joint launch event for this initiative will be announced soon.
The full text of the 21-page proposal is available on the Bar of Ireland website at www.lawlibrary.ie
