MinterEllison to guide UK government in Australia and NZ free trade agreement negotiations

MinterEllison has been appointed to guide the UK government in its free trade agreement negotiations with Australia and New Zealand.

International managing partner Jeremy Blackshaw said that the UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand agreements are “top priorities for the UK government” that will “boost trade and strengthen investment post Brexit with between long standing ‘friends’ and like-minded economies.”

“We are delighted to be appointed by the UK government to advise on some of their first post-Brexit trade negotiations,” he said.

MinterEllison’s Australia branch will advise on the Australia agreements, while its New Zealand branch, MinterEllisonRuddWatts, will assist in the New Zealand negotiations. The firms’ teams will be guiding both the negotiation and implementation processes.

MinterEllison and MinterEllisonRuddWatts will work together with Hogan Lovells on the UK side.

Blackshaw said that MinterEllison and MinterEllisonRuddWatts presented “a unique trans-Tasman international trade offering.”

“This appointment recognises MinterEllison's market leading credentials in international trade law. We look forward to contributing to the negotiation and implementation of what promises to be a gold-standard agreement,” he said.

MinterEllison’s appointment was the result of a competitive tender, the firm said. The firms’ contract with the UK government is set for a three-year period.

MinterEllison has recorded a number of successful cross-border dealings, including one that saw the firm bring together lawyers from Australia, New Zealand and the UK.