In a consortium with US law firm Arent Fox, the firm has been appointed to the UK government’s post-Brexit trade law panel following a competitive process.

The Burges Salmon and Arent Fox consortium will provide specialist legal services as a supplier to Lot 2 (International Trade Negotiations) on the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) (RM6183) Trade Law Panel framework.

The four-year appointment will see the firms working together to provide legal advice and services to the UK government in relation to the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements and trading relationships, and compliance with and enforcement of international law relating to trade, including the law of World Trade Organisation (WTO) and trade agreements.

Burges Salmon’s Public Sector Law team, which includes former senior civil service lawyers, is well-versed in delivering intelligent solutions to complex, innovative and high-profile projects, based on an in-depth understanding of the public and private sectors.

The firm’s Head of International Trade, Paul Browne, will lead the consortium’s Trade Law Panel team with Kay Georgi, Head of International Trade at Arent Fox.

On the appointment, Paul says: “We’re delighted to have been appointed to the CCS Trade Law Panel framework with our consortium partner Arent Fox, one of the foremost respected International Trade legal practices in the world. Both firms are looking forward to delivering outstanding legal advice to support the UK government in its international trade negotiations.

“We regard this appointment as hugely significant work as the UK forms new agreements with its trading partners providing UK businesses, importers and inward investors with a strong basis for international growth as the UK seeks to rebuild again following the impact of COVID-19.”

Welcoming the appointment, Kay Georgi comments: “We are honoured to have this opportunity to support the UK government in its international trade negotiations together with our friends and partners Burges Salmon. Arent Fox’s International Trade team combines lawyers skilled in negotiating all aspects of trade agreements between sovereign governments. We rely on our team’s depth of knowledge of US trade policy, customs, rules of origin, trade disputes, investment, intellectual property, and related disciplines to provide complete end-to-end support in trade negotiations.”

The combined expertise of the two firms means the consortium is well positioned to support the UK government navigate complex international trade law and cross-border challenges.

Crown Commercial Service supports the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2019/20, CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits worth over £1 billion – supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers.

Burges Salmon is also one of 12 firms appointed to Tier 1 of the CCS General Legal Services Framework and to the CCS Wider Public Sector Legal Services Panel.