The value of legal services exports from the UK has grown by more than 60% in five years.
Research compiled by the Law Society found that exports of legal services rose to almost £11bn in 2025, giving a trade surplus of around £9.6bn. The US (£3.2bn) and European Union (£3.7bn) account for almost two-thirds of export revenue.
The Society’s International Data Insights Report also found that English law underpins global commercial activity, being used for around 40% of the world’s cross-border business and financial transactions.
The London Commercial Court delivered almost twice as many judgments as its closest competitor, Dubai, and more than twice as many as New York.
The London Maritime Arbitrators Association’s caseload grew by 16% in 2025, climbing to its highest level in more than a decade, while the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration chose English law in 13% of its new cases, ahead of New York, Brazil, Switzerland and others.
Mark Evans, the president of the Law Society, said: The UK’s legal services are a major global success story. Exports are nearing £11bn and English law is used in trillions of pounds of international commerce. London remains a leading legal destination.
‘The legal industry is an engine of growth that, with the right steps from the UK government, can unleash its full horsepower. It is an export powerhouse contributing billions to the UK economy and employing more than half a million people.’
But Evans urged the government to continues investing in the legal profession and justice system to counter the threat from other countries.
He added: ‘International leadership cannot be taken for granted. Other jurisdictions are investing fast and furiously in their court and legal infrastructure.’
While English law is prominent abroad, lawyers from this country are also increasingly travelling to foreign countries to practice.
The number of solicitors based outside of England and Wales grew 9.6% to 9,066 in 2025, with 8,904 holding a practising certificate. The United Arab Emirates was the largest overseas location for solicitors in 2025, hosting 1,513 (16.7% of all solicitors abroad), followed by Hong Kong (949) and Singapore (862).
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