The UK's offer The UK is the world's second largest legal centre in terms of revenueOver 200 foreign law firms have chosen the UK for overseas officesEnglish law is used in 40% of all global corporate arbitrationsA talent pool of 368,000 people in the sector across the UK Leading legal expertise The popularity of English and Welsh law drives the UK’s position as a provider of the world's legal services. Some 27% of the world’s 320 legal jurisdictions are governed by systems based on English common law - by far the most popular choice for cross-border contracts. The UK legal services sector, second in size only to the US, is recognised globally for its quality of advice. Over 2,300 members of the Bar of England and Wales receive instructions from clients abroad. Supported by excellence in legal training and education, the UK is renowned as the leading global centre for dispute resolution. Research Providing professional services to the world The UK professional services sector continues to be a key contributor to the wider UK economy. Find out more about the UK’s professional sector, and its role in delivering leading professional services expertise across the world. Download 'Providing professional services to the world' Resolving international disputes The UK is the leading global centre for international dispute resolution. In 2019, English law governed around £250bn of global mergers and acquisitions and 40% of global corporate arbitrations. 200+ foreign law firms from around 40 jurisdictions have offices in the UK All of the world's top 40 law firms have offices in London 78 parties from 78 countries used the Commercial Courts in 2022-23 Lawtech Innovation in the UK’s legal sector is creating new roles, skills, and uses for the technology. Our Global City campaign highlights the strengths of this ecosystem and how collaboration between technology and the legal sector is leading to greater competitiveness. Read more Growth in legal services Revenue generated by legal activities in the UK has trended strongly upward, rising to £43.7bn in 2022, a 5.6% year on year increase. The UK’s legal sector also makes a significant contribution to the UK’s public finances. Combined with the UK’s accounting sector, both areas had an estimated joint total tax contribution of £30.9bn in 2023 – up by £10.4bn from 2020. Growth in exports The UK supplies legal expertise to the world - trade surplus of legal services grew by more than 60% in the last decade Growth in exports Growth in revenues Revenue from the UK top 100 legal firms grew by more than 75% between 2013 and 2023 Growth in revenues Contribution to the UK economy Legal services contributed £34bn to the UK economy in 2022 Contribution to the UK economy International reach and services The largest international law firms in London have 42% of their lawyers based outside the UK. The UK remains a world-leading centre of legal excellence and a destination of choice for international legal services and the resolution of legal disputes. The CityUK, "Legal excellence, internationally renowned: UK legal services 2023" Read the report at TheCityUK Future proofing the UK’s legal capabilities A new flagship 18 courtroom legal centre providing world-class expertise in tackling cybercrime, fraud and economic crime will be completed in 2025 in the Square Mile. It is being developed jointly by the City of London Corporation, HM Courts and Tribunal Services. Partner story Ignition Law Ignition Law Partner Story Burness Paul LLP Burness Paul LLP Partner story Legatics Legatics Partner story King & Wood Mallesons King & Wood Mallesons See more case studies Need more information? The City of London Corporation London and Partners Invest in Great TheCityUK The Law Society The Bar Council The Investment Association AFME UK Finance