18 Jan 2021
Insight
Europe
The UK formally left the EU on 31 January 2020 and the transition period ended on 31 December 2020. The UK and EU trade relationship is now governed by the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed on 24 December 2020.
We will be updating this page with our latest analysis of the trade agreement and the key issues that will affect businesses in the UK and its trading partners over the coming months and into the future. We hope you will find it useful.
If you would like to discuss specific arrangements for support through the risks of the move to an uncertain future relationship, on how you might express the concerns of your business to governments, on dispute risks that may arise, or on any other questions or challenges you have, please do contact your regular Herbert Smith Freehills relationship contacts, or otherwise any of our experts listed here.
To keep up to date with our latest Brexit analysis, including notifications of most recent commentary on the trade agreement, subscribe to our Brexit blog.
Beyond Brexit overview
| Leaving the EU: The process and preparations (updated February 2020) |
|
The Withdrawal Agreement Q&A |
|
Trade: The new relationships |
| The UK's new legal order post-Brexit: A new class of UK law (updated April 2020) |
| Delivering Brexit: Putting plans into practice (updated August 2020) |
| EU-UK Trade Cooperation Agreement: General analysis (updated January 2021) |
Impact for business
Timeline
More on Brexit
Key contacts
James Palmer CBE
Partner, London
Gavin Williams
Partner, Head of Infrastructure Sector, London
Stephen Wilkinson
Consultant, London
Lode Van Den Hende
Consultant, Brussels and London
Paul Butcher
Director of Public Policy, London
Legal Notice
The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only and may not be current as at the date of accessing this publication. 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 Kramer 2026
Stay in the know
Receive timely insights and briefings from HSF Kramer, tailored to keep you informed and ahead
Subscribe now