Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister, has outlined in a speech the UK’s negotiating objectives for exiting the European Union (EU). May has listed 12 negotiating priorities around four key principles: -

1. Certainty and clarity; -

2. A stronger Britain, with strengthened sovereignty; -

3. A fairer Britain with regards to immigration and workers’ rights; -

4. A truly global Britain based on future trade agreements which will not be limited to the EU.

Regarding the timeline, Theresa May said that the UK aims to reach an agreement within the two-year period after Article 50 is triggered, which is imposed by the Treaties for the process of exiting the EU; and wishes for a phased process of implementation after this point. She also committed to give the UK Parliament a vote on the final Brexit deal.

While the post-Brexit landscape still remains undefined, as it will only emerge from a complex negotiation, it is already possible to identify a number of issues requiring particular attention from any company working in the UK, or with the UK in the context of the European Union.