International demand for UK legal services rises as exports near £11 billion
updated on 28 September 2026
Dimitar Dimitrov is acting senior content and events coordinator at LawCareers.Net
Reading time: two minutes
The UK legal sector’s exports have increased by more than 60% over the past five years, reaching a record £10.97 billion and highlighting growing international demand for UK legal services, according to a new report from the Law Society of England and Wales.
The International Data Insights 2026 report found that the EU and the US together account for almost two-thirds of the UK's legal services export revenue. The findings also underlined the continuing global influence of English law, which governs £250 trillion of derivatives transactions worldwide, half of all international seaborne trade and approximately 40% of international business and financial transactions.
The report reinforced London’s position as one of the world's leading legal centres. The London Commercial Court delivered almost twice as many judgments as its nearest competitor, Dubai, and more than twice as many as New York.
Elsewhere, international dispute resolution activity in the capital continued to grow. The London Maritime Arbitrators Association recorded a 16% increase in caseload in 2025, reaching its highest level in more than a decade. Meanwhile, the International Chamber of Commerce Court of Arbitration selected English law in 13% of its new cases, ahead of laws from jurisdictions including New York, Brazil and Switzerland.
The report also highlighted London's continued appeal to international parties. According to the findings, 96% of cases handled by the London Court of International Arbitration involved at least one non-UK party.
Commenting on the report, Law Society President Mark Evans described the UK's legal sector as “a major global success story” and said: “Exports are nearing £11 billion and English law is used in trillions of pounds of international commerce. London remains a leading legal destination.”
Evans added “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.”
However, Evans also warned: “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.”
