UK Legal Services: A Beacon of Global Dispute Resolution

Iain Clark attended London International Disputes Week 2025, follow his thought leadership series where he provides insight to key sessions throughout the week, key takeaways and what they mean for dispute resolution practitioners in Scotland. 

In a powerful keynote address at the Main Conference kicking off today at London International Disputes Week 25, Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister of State for Courts and Legal Services, UK Government, emphasized that the UK legal sector is “more than a pillar of our economy” – it is “a national asset” that “drives growth, underpins global trade, and stands as a beacon of the rule of law.”

Key Highlights were:

• UK legal services contribute over £37 billion annually to the economy
• The sector is experiencing remarkable growth, with parties choosing English law because they “trust the calibre of our lawyers, our judges, our arbitrators and our mediators”
• The government is committed to supporting legal innovation in an “increasingly volatile world”

Whilst explaining that the UK Government had passed the new Arbitration Act and was working on passing a new Digital Assets Bill to recognize digital assets, she stated:

“But modernization isn’t just about new legislation. As disputes grow more complex and increasingly become of a cross border nature, we must ensure that dispute resolution evolves with the times. And Tech is a powerful tool which is enabling this to happen. Our thriving UK law tech sector is uniquely positioned to support innovation and unlock new opportunities, from Ai assisted case management to AI transcription, from listing tools to fully digital hearings and technology enabled dispute resolution.”

On the subject of global leadership, she emphasised that in a “fluid, sometimes fractious climate,” the legal community can “provide a haven of stability” through an independent and impartial justice system.

The message is clear: UK legal services will continue to lead by “innovating, collaborating, and leading” in the future of international dispute resolution.

To discuss any of the points raised further, please contact him below or a member of our Litigation team here.

The information and opinions contained in this blog are for information only.  They are not intended to constitute advice and should not be relied upon or considered as a replacement for advice.  Before acting on any information contained in this blog, please seek solicitor’s advice from Gilson Gray.