Gavin Williams, corporate partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, was quoted in the Financial Times on 21 January 2016 as saying that Brexit is now firmly "part of the Board's agenda".
Although a referendum on the question of the UK's membership of the EU was promised by the Conservative party before the general election last May, only recently are UK businesses (and non-UK businesses which operate in the UK) beginning to factor it into their contingency planning. The referendum date has been announced as 23 June 2016.
With a deal having been reached between Member States relating to the UK's "special status" within the UK, Brexit is now something all businesses in the UK need to be thinking about. The next four months will be crucial in drawing the final battlelines for those who support or oppose the UK remaining within the EU.
Clients from a wide range of industries and sectors have been approaching us over the past few weeks as they begin to realise that the impact of a potential Brexit on their businesses could be enormous. There is considerable uncertainty over what a post-Brexit world will look like for businesses operating in the UK. We are able to advise clients on the potential legal implications and how they may wish to be preparing for a potential Brexit.
More information
If you want to speak to someone about the issues your Board may wish to be considering now, please contact Adam Johnson, Dorothy Livingston or Gavin Williams.
If you would like a copy of our Brexit publication covering the implications from a legal perspective of a UK exit from the EU please contact Jane Webber.
Legal notice
The contents of this publication, current at the date of publication set out above, are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.
© Herbert Smith Freehills LLP 2016
This message is sent by Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2EG, United Kingdom, Tel: +44 20 7374 8000.