The group, named Lawyers Against Brexit, was formed by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer competition partner John Davies one year ago. Competition lawyers make up the bulk of Lawyers Against Brexit's membership, though it remains open to other kinds of lawyers. Broadly speaking, the objective of the group is to contribute to the debate around the UK's membership of the EU by 'providing clear information' on the legal aspects of the decision and advocating for the continued presence of the UK within the European Union.

'Awful misinformation'

The group is currently drafting a publication that will explore the various scenarios of Britain staying in or leaving the EU, and their legal consequences. Publication of the document will be synchronised with Prime Minister David Cameron's EU renegotiation deal results announcement in February. 'There's a lot of awful misinformation and personal opinions out there,' warned Lawyers Against Brexit's Andrew Renshaw, a competition partner at Freshfields Brussels. 'I think it's sensible as lawyers to put together a document to give people reliable information,' he said, adding that the publication would hopefully help stakeholders and members of the public to 'take their own view on the facts' surrounding Brexit.

Legal labyrinth for businesses

While some lawyers are engaging in independent advocacy, law firms are preparing to steer clients through the complicated legal labyrinth which could result if Britain opts to depart from the EU. Many firms are anticipating a spike in work should the exit come to pass, driven most severely by the re-writing of corporate contracts for clients. Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose Fullbright and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer are just some of the firms which have established dedicated teams to advise companies on the implications of Brexit for laws and frameworks relating to tax, financial regulation, employment and intellectual property. Sources: Legal Week; Financial Times