The position of English and Welsh law as the jurisdiction of choice for international dispute resolution will be unchanged by the vote to leave the EU, Law Society president Robert Bourns told attendees at the world’s largest legal conference yesterday.

The Law Society is taking part in a delegation of some 70 firms led by legal services minister Lord Keen of Elie to promote the UK’s legal sector to the International Bar Association’s annual conference in Washington DC. 

Conceding that there will be ‘a few bumps on the way’ to Brexit, Bourns (pictured) told a reception yesterday: ‘There is nothing to suggest that England and Wales law is any less useful today than it was before 23 June.’

Bourns noted that some 80% of cases in the Commercial Court have at least one party from abroad and around 50% of the cases have no connection to England and Wales except that the parties have chosen to resolve their disputes in England and Wales.

‘English law, like the English language, is commonly used in international commerce as the standard in contracts as it offers certainty, stability and predictability. England And Wales is the favoured jurisdiction in which to resolve disputes arising from contracts because of its commercial acumen and incorruptible courts.

‘This remains true in the light of Brexit. Our objective during Brexit negotiations will be to safeguard the UK legal sector’s economic contribution, maintaining an effective legal framework to support the continued effective operation of cross-border UK business.’