Australia–UK Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue
The Australia–UK Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue was established under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) to strengthen cooperation between regulators and professional bodies and support trade in legal services between Australia and the United Kingdom.
The Dialogue brought together regulators, admissions authorities and professional bodies from Australia and the United Kingdom. During its three-year term, participants met through six plenary meetings and four thematic working groups covering:
- Qualifications, Recognition and Admission
- Business Structures and Issues
- Barrister and Advocate Cooperation
- Regulatory Cooperation
This report examines the legal services sectors in both jurisdictions, outlines the work undertaken by the Dialogue between 2023 and 2026, and considers key issues affecting cross-border legal practice and trade in legal services, including admission and requalification pathways, legal business structures, regulatory cooperation, and emerging challenges associated with legal technology and artificial intelligence.
The report makes seven recommendations aimed at supporting lawyer mobility, information-sharing and data collection between regulators, and strengthening support for cross-border legal practice.
While the initial three-year term of the Dialogue has concluded, participating organisations have agreed to continue meeting annually to exchange information, share expertise and discuss emerging regulatory and professional issues affecting the legal profession in both jurisdictions.
Last Updated on 07/07/2026
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