Exports of UK legal services rose to almost £11 billion in 2025, as international demand soars.
The new International Data Insights report published by the Law Society has revealed the global strength of English law and London’s leading position as an international legal centre.
UK legal sector exports have grown by more than 60% in the last five years to £10.97 billion, the report revealed, with the EU and the US accounting for nearly two-thirds of that export revenue.
The Society’s research also found that English law underpins global commercial activity, being used for around 40% of the world’s cross-border business and financial transactions.
In 2025, English law governed £250 trillion of outstanding global derivatives, half of international seaborne trade (£13 trillion), 40% of international business and financial transactions across a range of industries, 28% of global agricultural trade, £73-83 billion of the insurance market and £22.5 billion of global assets through UK court-approved schemes of arrangement since 2006.
Further findings showed the London Commercial Court (LCC) is delivering a high volume of judgments while maintaining efficient case resolution, having delivered almost twice as many judgments as its closest competitor Dubai and more than twice as many as New York.
Meanwhile, the London Maritime Arbitrators Association recorded a growth in caseload by 16% in 2025, with 2,015 new cases – a 16% increase on 2024.
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, president of the Law Society said: “The UK’s legal services are a major global success story.
“Exports are nearing £11 billion 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 international leadership cannot be taken for granted.
“Other jurisdictions are investing fast and furiously in their court and legal infrastructure. The Law Society is urging the UK government to continue investing in the legal profession and justice system to unlock growth in every postcode.”
