The value of UK legal services exports rose to £9.02bn in 2024, a 44% jump since 2020, according to a Law Society of England and Wales report.
The 2025 International Data Insights Report underscores the continued dominance of English law in international arbitration and litigation, alongside increases in legal services exports. English law now governs approximately 40% of all international business transactions and remains the most frequently chosen law in arbitration proceedings conducted by leading global institutions.
In the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), 78% of arbitration cases in 2024 involved contracts governed by English law. English law was also the second most popular choice in Singapore International Arbitration Centre-administered cases (27%), and similarly ranked in Stockholm and Hong Kong.
Within the ICC Court of Arbitration, English law accounted for 15% of all new cases, making it the most commonly used governing law, twice as prevalent as Swiss law, the next most popular.
The Commercial Court, part of the Business and Property Court and based at the Rolls Building in London, continues to draw a diverse international caseload, with 60% of litigants coming from abroad and representing 93 nationalities.
Law Society president Richard Atkinson commented: “The UK is a leading international legal centre recognised and respected the world over because of our laws and top legal professionals. However, the government needs to invest more in the country’s court infrastructure and people to ensure we maintain our global standing,” adding that the society was busy promoting English law abroad for members.
Chair of the Bar, Barbara Mills KC, welcomed the findings but cautioned against complacency: “We know that English law and London’s courts set the gold standard and are world-leading, but this reputation is at risk because of the persistent lack of investment in the whole justice system over decades.”
She added: “Our current position as a global legal centre is at risk if the justice system is allowed to deteriorate further.”
Emma Johnson, a disputes partner at Ashurst, said the findings were consistent with market experience: “The preference for English governing law in international commerce and, consequently, international disputes is consistent with our experience of acting in English law disputes before the LCIA, ICC, SCC, SIAC and HKIAC, as well as in ad hoc proceedings.
“It is a testament to the strength of English law that it remains the most popular governing law, even in arbitrations seated in Paris, and the second most popular choice of law to govern arbitrations seated in Singapore, Stockholm and Hong Kong.”
Craig Tevendale, London head of international arbitration at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, said: “With many jurisdictions actively positioning themselves as leading arbitration hubs, it is encouraging to see London maintaining its top position, and the enhancements recently introduced in the new Arbitration Act should further strengthen its appeal as a preferred venue for international arbitration.”
At the same time, Johnson noted that Singapore’s emergence as London’s main competitor as an arbitral seat was a testament to Singapore’s work to market its services globally, adding: “It remains to be seen whether updates to the act are sufficient to rival the recent changes to Singaporean arbitral laws.”
John McElroy, member of the London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA), emphasised the resilience of the UK legal sector post-Brexit: “The data clearly shows that Brexit has not undermined London’s position as a global legal hub. On the contrary, the UK legal sector has adapted and thrived.”
McElroy added: “Legal services are one of the UK’s most successful exports, and these figures reinforce that. The 44% surge in legal exports reflects the global appetite for English law and the high regard in which UK litigators are held.”
Emilie Jones of Pinsent Masons, co-chair of LIDW, concluded: “London continues to be the beating heart of global dispute resolution. The Commercial Court is a global centre of excellence, while London-based arbitration institutions and London as a seat continue to perform strongly. UK mediation bodies also deliver impressive settlement rates.
“Offering high-quality, efficient and fair dispute resolution in all its forms, London consistently sets a benchmark for stability and innovation.”
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