Delivering the deal negotiated with the EU remains the government’s top priority. This has not changed.

However, the government must prepare for every eventuality, including a no deal scenario. For 2 years, the government has been implementing a significant programme of work to ensure that the UK is prepared to leave the EU.

It has always been the case that as we get nearer to that date, preparations for a no deal scenario would have to be accelerated. We must ensure plans are in place should they need to be relied upon.

In the summer, the government published a series of 106 technical notices setting out information to allow businesses and citizens to understand what they would need to do in a no deal scenario so they can make informed plans and preparations.

This technical notice offers guidance for continued planning in the event of no deal.

Also included is an overarching framing notice explaining the government’s approach to preparing the UK for this outcome in order to minimise disruption and ensure a smooth and orderly exit.

We are working with the devolved administrations on technical notices and we will continue to do so as plans develop.

Purpose

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal the requirements for how professional qualifications will be recognised, services will be regulated and the SOLVIT problem solving service will work, will change. This notice explains the future arrangements for how these areas will work in a ‘no deal scenario’.

This notice details the changes to the following areas:

recognition of professional qualifications in respect to the European Economic Area and Switzerland

provision of regulated legal services

provision of Services Regulations

SOLVIT problem solving service

The Audit Directive and the rules on statutory auditors, which provide for recognition of particular qualifications are explained in a separate Technical Notice on accounting and audit.

Recognition of professional qualifications

Before the UK leaves the EU

The Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications ( MRPQ ) Directive provides a reciprocal framework of rules which enables EEA and Swiss nationals to have their professional qualifications recognised in a state other than the one in which the qualification was obtained. In addition to the EU, the MRPQ Directive applies to Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and to Switzerland by virtue of it being annexed to the EEA Agreement and the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States and the Swiss Confederation on the free movement of persons.

It provides several routes to recognition, including:

automatic recognition based on minimum training conditions or professional experience (recognition based on minimum training conditions applies to: doctors, nurses, dental practitioners, veterinary surgeons, midwives, pharmacists and architects)

the ‘general system’ under which, subject to certain exceptions, regulators must not refuse, on grounds of inadequate qualifications, applicants who seek to practise a regulated profession in the UK if they hold the qualifications required by an EEA State or Switzerland. In certain cases, regulators may require an applicant to complete either an aptitude test or an adaptation period before allowing the applicant to practise the regulated profession in the UK

State or Switzerland. In certain cases, regulators may require an applicant to complete either an aptitude test or an adaptation period before allowing the applicant to practise the regulated profession in the UK a mechanism for those who want to work on a temporary or occasional basis in another EEA State or Switzerland, including the role of the regulator and the procedures and formalities with which an applicant must comply

The MRPQ Directive applies in general to regulated professions unless otherwise stated in the MRPQ Directive. A non-exhaustive list of professions covered by the MRPQ Directive is available in the European Commission’s database of regulated professions.

The MRPQ Directive also provides rules for recognition of non- EEA and non-Swiss qualifications held by EEA or Swiss nationals.

Parts of the current version of the MRPQ Directive (Directive 2005/36/EC as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU) have been implemented in the UK by the European Union (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2015 (Recognition of Professional Qualifications Regulations). Parts of an earlier version of the MRPQ Directive were originally implemented in the UK by the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007, which have since been revoked except as they apply to Switzerland.

These are supplemented by UK sector-specific legislation for certain professions.

If there’s no deal

The MRPQ Directive will no longer apply to the UK and there will be no system of reciprocal recognition of professional qualifications between the remaining EEA states, Switzerland and the UK.

The UK will ensure that professionals arriving in the UK with EEA and Swiss qualifications after the exit date will have a means to seek recognition of their qualifications.

The government has prepared legislation to update the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Regulations. This will bring a new system into force for exit day. Parliament is currently considering this legislation.There is also an Explanatory Memorandum, which explains the legislation and the changes it will make to the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Regulations in more detail. This legislation will be supplemented by sector specific legislation to cover certain professions.

The proposed new system of recognition of professional qualifications will:

Protect recognition decisions that have already made; allow applications for recognition which have been made before exit to be concluded under the same rules as far as possible; and allow individuals to complete temporary and occasional service provision which started before exit.

Retain a general system for recognition where UK regulators will be required to recognise EEA and Swiss qualifications which are of an equivalent standard to UK qualifications in scope, content and level.

and Swiss qualifications which are of an equivalent standard to UK qualifications in scope, content and level. No longer include certain obligations on regulators such as offering compensation measures, partial access and temporary and occasional provision of services. However, it will leave regulators with the discretion to decide how to treat non-equivalent EEA or Swiss qualifications.

or Swiss qualifications. Correct deficiencies in the Regulation of Professional Qualifications Regulations so that the system that is being retained can still function effectively and professionals will retain a route for recognition of their professional qualification.

More detailed guidance for regulators and professionals will be published before exit day.

The UK has reached agreements with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and with Switzerland, to address separation issues which include specific arrangements for the recognition of professional qualifications for these countries’ nationals. These agreements differ in some respects to the no deal position set out in this document. Further information will be provided on the specific provisions in due course.

The government will continue to work with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Civil Service as well as regulatory bodies to ensure the future system for the recognition of professional qualifications works across the UK. These arrangements are without prejudice to the rights and privileges accorded, by virtue of the Common Travel Area, to Irish and UK citizens when in each other’s state.

Implications

There are implications for all the professions named in this notice as well as businesses.

For EEA and Swiss professionals (as well as UK nationals holding EEA or Swiss qualifications) who have received a recognition decision in the UK before exit, these recognition decisions will not be affected and will remain valid.

EEA and Swiss professionals (as well as UK nationals holding EEA or Swiss qualifications) who have applied for a recognition decision and are awaiting a decision on exit day will, as far as possible, be able to conclude their applications in line with the provisions of the MRPQ Directive.

Professionals with EEA or Swiss qualifications who have not started an application for a recognition decision in the UK before exit will be subject to the new system of recognition, subject to Parliament’s approval.

UK nationals seeking recognition to work in regulated professions in the EEA or Switzerland should check the host state’s policies. The European Commission has stated that decisions on the recognition of UK qualifications in EU countries before exit day are not affected and has published guidance in the Commission’s Brexit Professional Qualification preparedness notice to this effect.

Actions for businesses and other stakeholders

EEA and Swiss professionals (as well as UK nationals holding EEA or Swiss qualifications) who have received a recognition decision in the UK do not need to take any action as the recognition decision will not be affected by exit.

Further guidance will be issued to provide professionals and employers with more details concerning recognition decisions pending on exit or issued after exit.

More information

In 2015, the government published guidance for regulatory bodies of regulated professions. It sets out the obligations placed upon them by the MRPQ Directive. In the scenario where the UK leaves the EU without a formal agreement, the published guidance will be updated to reflect the changes that are made to the Recognition of Professional Qualifications Regulations.

The Lawyers’ Establishment Directive and the Lawyers’ Services Directive

Before the UK leaves the EU

The qualification recognition arrangements under the MRPQ Directive cover a wide range of lawyers. In addition to this framework, there is a specific framework setting out rights for listed lawyers to provide legal services and to establish on a permanent basis in EEA States and Switzerland other than the one in which the qualification was obtained.

This framework takes the form of two Directives:

The Lawyers’ Services Directive (Directive 77/249/EEC) – which allows specified lawyers to provide legal services on a temporary basis in a Member State other than the one in which they qualified. It clarifies the professional and regulatory rules applicable, the professional title they should use and the conditions for providing services

The Lawyers’ Establishment Directive (Directive 98/5/EC) - a reciprocal arrangement which allows specified lawyers in one Member State to establish and practise permanently in another Member State, under their existing title, and the conditions for doing so (Registered European Lawyers). It also allows lawyers that are practising in another Member State to be admitted to the profession in that Member State, after 3 years of practice without having to go through the usual qualification routes

If there’s no deal

If we leave the EU without an agreement, the Lawyers’ Services Directive and Lawyers’ Establishment Directive will no longer apply to the UK and there will be no system of reciprocal arrangements under which EEA and Swiss lawyers (including UK nationals holding EEA and Swiss qualifications) can provide services and establish on a permanent basis. We will therefore revoke the implementing legislation and EEA and Swiss lawyers will be treated in the same way as other third country lawyers.

EEA lawyers will be able to practise in England and Wales under the regulatory arrangements and rules that apply to lawyers from other third countries. However, this change will mean:

EEA and Swiss lawyers will no longer be able to provide legal activities normally reserved to advocates, barristers or solicitor under their home state professional title in England/Wales and Northern Ireland. (Reserved activities are: the exercise of a right of audience, the conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities (conveyancing), probate activities, notarial activities and the administration of oaths)

and Swiss lawyers will no longer be able to provide legal activities normally reserved to advocates, barristers or solicitor under their home state professional title in England/Wales and Northern Ireland. (Reserved activities are: the exercise of a right of audience, the conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities (conveyancing), probate activities, notarial activities and the administration of oaths) EEA and Swiss lawyers will no longer be able to seek admittance to the English/Welsh or Northern Irish profession based on experience

As outlined above, the UK will ensure that professionals arriving in the UK with EEA or Swiss qualifications after exit day will have a means to seek recognition of their qualifications. This will include lawyers. We will share details of the new procedure in due course and applicants should contact the relevant regulators at the appropriate time.

There will be a transitional period until December 2020 for Registered European Lawyers to transfer to UK title. During the transitional period Registered European Lawyers will be able to continue to practice.

The government has prepared legislation to revoke the Legal Services Directive and the Legal Establishment Directive by exit day. Parliament is currently considering this legislation, along with an Explanatory Memorandum, which explains the legislation in more detail.

The government has agreed Separation Agreements with Switzerland and EEA EFTA States. The UK-Switzerland agreement differs from the no deal position for EEA EFTA lawyers set out in this document. Further information will be provided on the specific provisions in due course.

Scottish regulatory arrangements for EEA and third country lawyers are different to those in England and Wales, or Northern Ireland.

These arrangements are without prejudice to the rights and privileges accorded, by virtue of the Common Travel Area, to Irish and UK citizens when in each other’s state.

Implications and actions for individuals and businesses

EEA and Swiss lawyers who have already been admitted to the legal profession, allowing them to use the professional title of solicitor or barrister in England/Wales or Northern Ireland on the exit date will be able to continue to practise under that title and provide regulated legal activities, in accordance with the relevant regulator’s rules. They will not need to take any action.

EEA and Swiss lawyers who have applied for admission to the English/Welsh or Northern Irish legal profession prior to exit day (through routes available under either the MPRQ Regulations or European Communities (Lawyer’s Practice) Regulations 2000), and are awaiting a decision on the exit date, will, as far as possible, be able to complete their recognition process under pre-exit rules.

Registered European Lawyer status – which allows EEA and Swiss lawyers to practise permanently in the UK under their existing title - will cease on the exit date. From exit day, EEA and Swiss lawyers will be treated in the same way as other lawyers qualified in any other third country jurisdiction.

Existing Registered European Lawyers will need to consider whether they intend to provide regulated (‘reserved’ in England and Wales) legal activities. If so, they will need to take steps to transfer into the profession of the relevant UK jurisdiction (England/Wales or Northern Ireland) to continue providing those services and should contact their UK regulator for advice.

Employers of Registered European Lawyers and other EEA and Swiss lawyers providing services in England/Wales and Northern Ireland will need to consider whether their employees will provide regulated (‘reserved’) legal activities. If so, they will need to take steps to make sure their employees can continue providing those services, for example by transferring into the profession of the relevant UK jurisdiction, or working under the supervision of a lawyer qualified to undertake those activities, subject to regulatory rules.

Employers of Registered European Lawyers and other EEA and Swiss lawyers should contact their regulator for advice.

EEA and Swiss lawyers who own or manage legal businesses in England/Wales or Northern Ireland will need to consider whether their business model is compliant with the relevant regulatory rules, once Registered European Lawyer status ceases, and should contact their regulator for advice.

More information

Further information, including arrangements for third country lawyers, is available from the relevant regulatory bodies:

Provision of Services Regulations

Before the UK leaves the EU

The EU Services Directive (2006/123/EC) makes it easier for businesses to establish themselves in other Member States, and to provide services cross-border on either a temporary or permanent basis. The Services Directive is implemented into UK legislation by the Provision of Services Regulations 2009.

The Regulations simplify the rules for, and prevent unjustifiable barriers to, the provision of services. They ensure that Competent Authorities, including government departments, Devolved Administrations, local authorities and other licensing and authorisation bodies, comply with a set of regulatory principles.

The current Regulations set out the following requirements:

the Regulations ensure Competent Authorities cannot impose discriminatory, disproportionate or unnecessary requirements on EEA businesses who are providing services on either a permanent or temporary basis in the UK

businesses who are providing services on either a permanent or temporary basis in the UK the Regulations set out the duties of businesses, detailing the requirements for contact details and other information to be made available for service recipients

the Regulations require Competent Authorities to notify the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy of new measures

the Regulations set out obligations on Competent Authorities to ensure effective administrative cooperation with their counterparts in other Member States

the Regulations require the government to establish an electronic assistance facility to operate as the UK’s Point of Single Contact, which is GOV.UK

If there’s no deal

When the UK leaves the EU, EEA businesses will be treated like other third country service providers as the Regulations will need to be amended to comply with the UK’s commitments under World Trade Organisation rules.

The Regulations will continue to ensure that businesses in the UK are not subject to disproportionate or burdensome regulation. For example, businesses and consumer rights will be protected as UK Competent Authorities will continue to regulate service provision in line with the general principles of open competition.

The government will continue to work with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Competent Authorities to ensure future arrangements for provision of services work across the UK. These arrangements are without prejudice to the rights and privileges accorded, by the Common Travel Area, to Irish and UK citizens when in each other’s state.

Implications

The scope of the UK Regulations will be amended to apply to UK nationals established in the UK and UK-established businesses. EEA businesses will no longer have preferential access rights and protections provided for by the Regulations. Competent Authorities will be able to regulate EEA businesses in the same way they regulate third country service providers. The UK services market is highly liberalised and it is not envisaged that EEA businesses will face additional barriers to entry to the UK Services market.

UK businesses providing services in the EEA would no longer be covered by the EU Services Directive. As a result, countries in the EEA could treat them in the same way as they treat third country service providers. In many EEA countries, the regime for third countries has different requirements. This could result in additional legal and administrative barriers for UK firms, such as requirements based on nationality, re-submitting information to regulators and potential loss of access to any online portal to complete mandatory applications and licenses where this is only available to EEA nationals. The tangible impacts this would have on businesses will likely vary depending on sector and the Member State.

A ‘No Deal’ scenario will also mean changes for UK nationals providing services in person into EEA countries, whether on a short term ‘fly in, fly out’ basis, longer term movement to provide services to clients, or placements within other parts of the business. Businesses should check whether a visa and/or work permit is required and otherwise comply with the immigration controls in place in each Member State where the service is being provided in person. This would vary depending on the Member State in question. If the provision of services relies on a UK qualification being recognised by a Member State regulator, individuals should check the host state national policies. The EU Commission has stated that decisions on the recognition of UK qualifications in EU Member States before exit day are not affected.

Actions for businesses and other stakeholders

UK businesses will continue to be obliged to provide the required information for service recipients and to maintain a complaints procedure. Businesses looking to provide services in the UK will continue to benefit from the Regulations as Competent Authorities should continue to design authorisation schemes and licensing requirements that are proportionate and justified in the public interest.

Competent Authorities will be able to regulate EEA service providers as third country service providers. Regulators will have the choice to impose more restrictive requirements on EEA service providers, in line with their new status as third country service providers. Individual Competent Authorities will be responsible for advising businesses on any future changes to their processes and any changes are likely to be subject to consultation allowing businesses time to make necessary preparations.

More information

The government has laid the legislation to update the Provision of Services Regulations which will come into force by exit day. There is also an Explanatory Memorandum, which explains the regulations in more detail.

In 2009, the government published guidance providing businesses and Competent Authorities (who set licensing requirements and authorisation schemes for businesses) with detailed advice on the principles and suggested direction for the application of the Services Directive. In the scenario where the UK leaves the European Union without a formal agreement, the published guidance will be updated to reflect the changes that are made to the Provision of Services Regulations 2009. It would provide further information on the restrictions requirements that may be imposed on EEA service providers.

SOLVIT

Before the UK leaves the EU

The SOLVIT network was established in 2002 following a European Commission Recommendation of 7 December 2001. SOLVIT Centres in each EU and EEA Member State work with each other to try to resolve informally complaints that arise following a decision issued by a public authority or regulator that affects the EU single market rights of EU businesses and citizens. SOLVIT provides an informal alternative to filing a court case, submitting a formal complaint to the European Commission or putting forward a petition.

People who encounter a problem exercising their rights apply to their ‘Home Centre’, usually in their home country. The Home Centre prepares the case and sends it to the SOLVIT Centre in the country where the problem occurred (the Lead Centre), which then deals with the authority or regulator in question.

If there’s no deal

When the UK has left the EU, it will no longer have access to the SOLVIT network. The UK will close its SOLVIT Centre, will not accept any new cases and will close any unresolved open cases after exit day.

Implications

As the UK SOLVIT Centre will close, there are implications for UK citizens and business as well as EU and EEA citizens and business in terms of raising concerns.

Actions for businesses and individuals

UK citizens and businesses will have to raise concerns directly with the competent authorities of the relevant EU or EEA Member State.

EU and EEA citizens and businesses will have to raise concerns directly with UK competent authorities.

More information

Stakeholders will be able to find further information on rules and rights after the UK exits the EU on GOV.UK and in other technical notices.

This notice is meant for guidance only. You should consider whether you need separate professional advice before making specific preparations.

It is part of the government’s ongoing programme of planning for all possible outcomes. We expect to negotiate a successful deal with the EU.

The UK government is clear that in this scenario we must respect our unique relationship with Ireland, with whom we share a land border and who are co-signatories of the Belfast Agreement. The UK government has consistently placed upholding the Agreement and its successors at the heart of our approach. It enshrines the consent principle on which Northern Ireland’s constitutional status rests. We recognise the basis it has provided for the deep economic and social cooperation on the island of Ireland. This includes North-South cooperation between Northern Ireland and Ireland, which we’re committed to protecting in line with the letter and spirit of Strand two of the Agreement.

The Irish government have indicated they would need to discuss arrangements in the event of no deal with the European Commission and EU Member States. The UK would stand ready in this scenario to engage constructively to meet our commitments and act in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland, recognising the very significant challenges that the lack of a UK-EU legal agreement would pose in this unique and highly sensitive context.

It remains, though, the responsibility of the UK government, as the sovereign government in Northern Ireland, to continue preparations for the full range of potential outcomes, including no deal. As we do, and as decisions are made, we’ll take full account of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland.