How can a UK lawyer work in Australia?

Dec 11, 2022

Written By Tom Hale

In a pre-Brexit world, it was not a simple or easy process for a UK lawyer to work in Australia. It was a process of retraining, with complicated hurdles to jump over. Now, things have changed for UK lawyers wanting to work in Australia. It is now a simpler, more streamlined process that benefits both parties.

The agreement

Following the exit from the European Union Britain entered into a UK-Australia free trade agreement. This allowed for the transfer of UK lawyers to Australia easier than ever. This trade agreement was made in an effort to secure trade routes where others in Europe may have been lost.

This new agreement will streamline the entire system, overhauling the previous complexities for a more smooth and tangible transition.

Under this agreement both Australian and UK lawyers can practise as foreign lawyers, providing arbitration, mediation and conciliation whilst using their original home qualification.

Barriers to overcome

Although this new trade agreement paves the way for the freedom to practise law as a UK lawyer in Australia, the Law Society of England and Wales have warned that there remain barriers to overcome.

These practical barriers for UK lawyers include increased costs for clients and reduction of skills transfers and contribution to the local market.

Summary

These barriers are however, just that. They are barriers and they can be overcome. Although the route may have some bumps to climb over it still stands that it is now, more than ever, much easier for a UK lawyer to work in Australia.

Whilst it used to be extremely difficult for this to occur, with a long path of retraining, qualifications, and monitored legal practice, it is now a streamlined, cohesive route.

Under the new free trade agreement UK lawyers do not need to retrain in order to work in Australia, they can instead practise in the foreign jurisdiction using their home titles and qualifications.

This is great news for anyone aspiring to move to sunny Australia to work as a lawyer. So, if you’re thinking about it, why not give it a try?

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