The UK and Switzerland have this week agreed to extend the Services Mobility Agreement again until the end of 2029 ensuring UK lawyers can continue to travel and work in Switzerland for up to 90 days a year without a work permit or visa.

The Law Society has been pushing not only for this agreement to be extended for the second time but also for its provisions to be secured permanently through the free trade agreement currently being negotiated between the UK and Switzerland.

Switzerland is the UK’s second largest market in Europe and the third globally for legal services exports. Maintaining a seamless access to the Swiss legal sector is vital not just for lawyers but for the British economy. It enables UK law firms to continue to drive growth, create jobs and support local communities.

'We welcome the decision to extend the agreement allowing UK lawyers to continue travelling and working in Switzerland,' said Mark Evans, Law Society president. 'However, we urge the government to embed the provisions of this deal in the forthcoming UK-Switzerland free trade agreement. This would allow UK lawyers to advise their clients in cross-border and international matters and provide legal services without new barriers or expiry dates, helping British legal services thrive.'

Evans added that the UK government should also ensure that the free trade agreement facilitates secondments and intra-corporate transfers of UK nationals to Switzerland and protects the ability of UK lawyers to practise there under their home professional title. 'Strengthening legal cooperation with Switzerland will make it easier for legal professionals in both jurisdictions to work together effectively. This is one of the keys that will open the door to more growth, more jobs and more support for people and businesses across the UK.'