Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on future market access for UK members of the legal profession to (a) provide services and (b) attend courts in EU countries after the UK leaves the EU; and if he will make a statement.

We have been having regular discussions with the EU on the Future Framework, outlining our positions on a wide range of topics covering the future economic partnership and the future security partnership. Over the coming weeks and months, we expect to see our negotiations on the Future Framework accelerate and intensify.

The Government has published a White Paper setting out a clear proposal for the future relationship we want to build with the European Union, including our position on future market access for services. In addition to the general provisions that will minimise barriers to cross-border service provision and establishment, we are proposing supplementary measures for legal services. This will include permitting joint practice between UK and EU lawyers. UK lawyers will also be supported by our proposals for comprehensive arrangements on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. This proposal is a responsible and credible basis for moving our negotiations with the EU forward to achieve a deal that works in our mutual interest.

We have also made significant progress in discussions with the EU on the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. We have agreed the continued recognition of qualifications for residents and frontier workers, where recognition decisions were received or where recognition procedures were ongoing, before the end of the implementation period. This includes qualifications recognised under the MRPQ directive and lawyers practising under host title.

We have also agreed under the Withdrawal Agreement how the UK would withdraw from the EU rules on civil judicial cooperation at the end of the Implementation Period. We fully expect however that we will reach agreement with the EU on a future relationship, and in the White Paper we have set out how we want to explore a new, mutually beneficial bilateral agreement with the EU on civil judicial cooperation. This would support a range of cross-border activity, including trade in goods and services, plus some non-commercial activities.

We will not provide a running commentary on our negotiations with the EU, but will continue to update Parliament on our progress when appropriate.