UNITED KINGDOM
THE WORLD CHOOSES ENGLISH LAW. WLA UK DELIVERS IT.
English law governs an estimated 80% of global commercial contracts — not because of geography, but because of its qualities: commercial certainty, judicial independence, sophisticated precedent, and the confidence that courts will interpret contracts as written. WLA UK gives international clients access to the highest quality English law practitioners — independent specialists, not outposts of global firms.
Post-Brexit, the UK legal system has evolved significantly — new restructuring tools (Part 26A), new arbitration legislation, and the evolving Employment Rights Bill landscape are creating significant cross-border legal complexity that requires specialist knowledge, not generalist advice.
- English law governs 80% of global commercial contracts — the most chosen legal system in the world
- LCIA remains the premier arbitration seat for cross-border commercial disputes involving English law
- Part 26A restructuring plans — world-class debt restructuring tool with cross-class cramdown
- UK-India FTA post-implementation — growing legal corridor in both directions
- UK → Africa corridor growing 22% — BII, critical minerals, infrastructure
- Employment Rights Bill 2025 — day-one rights, the biggest employment law change in a generation
WHAT'S CHANGED IN
UK LAW THAT MATTERS TO YOU.
The most significant employment law change since the 1970s. Day-one unfair dismissal rights, fire-and-rehire restrictions, enhanced rights to flexible working, and worker status strengthening. International employers with UK workforces must review all employment contracts and HR policies.
The EU's Unified Patent Court is fully operational. UK non-participation means companies need parallel UK and European patent litigation strategies. WLA's co-practice model coordinates UK and EU proceedings simultaneously.
UK Part 26A restructuring plans with cross-class cramdown are being used by international companies with no UK connection purely because of the quality of the tool. WLA UK restructuring specialists advise on eligibility, plan design, and international recognition.
UK government proposing text and data mining exception for AI training. Major implications for content owners globally — music, publishing, visual art. WLA UK IP practice advises on UK AI copyright exposure and parallel EU AI Act IP obligations.
British International Investment (BII) funding and UK private capital driving record infrastructure and critical minerals investment across Sub-Saharan and East Africa. Common law alignment between UK and East African jurisdictions creates a structural legal advantage for this corridor.
EVERY MAJOR PRACTICE.
THE DEEPEST UK EXPERTISE.
Cross-border M&A under English law, UK company law compliance, TUPE on acquisitions, and UK merger control filings. UK as both acquirer and target jurisdiction for international transactions.
UK Part 26A restructuring plans, schemes of arrangement, administration, and CVA. WLA UK restructuring specialists advise both debtors and creditors on all available UK tools and their international recognition.
LCIA arbitration, English Commercial Court and Technology and Construction Court litigation, and enforcement of English judgments and arbitral awards internationally.
UK Employment Rights Bill compliance, TUPE on M&A transactions, executive arrangements, and employment tribunal proceedings. Day-one rights strategy for international employers with UK workforces.
UK patent prosecution (post-UPC), trademark registration, copyright, and brand protection. Post-Brexit IP transition — UK and EU IP now require separate strategies and separate filings.
UK corporate tax, transfer pricing under HMRC guidelines, BEPS Pillar Two compliance in the UK, and UK tax aspects of cross-border M&A. UK as holding jurisdiction for international groups.