Farzana Baduel Appointed as Sole Media and Communications Member of English Law Panel: Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor David Lammy has convened the English Law Promotion Panel, a high-level group of national leaders formed under the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy to future-proof the legal sector and reinforce English law’s global influence. The panel met today (Monday, 8 December) at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London.
Among the appointed members is Farzana Baduel, CEO and President-Elect of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. She is the only representative from the media and marketing industry on the panel, which consists primarily of leaders from legal, judicial, business, and academic sectors.
You can check out: Exclusive: Interview with Farzana Baduel – Championing Diversity, Storytelling, and Global Impact in Strategic Communications
Driving Global Competitiveness
English law is central to international commerce, cross-border investment, and dispute resolution. As a result, the legal services sector is a major economic engine, contributing £42.6 billion annually and supporting over 364,000 jobs across the UK.
The panel will explore how to reinforce English law’s status as the jurisdiction of choice for international business, ensuring the UK retains its leadership position amid increasing competition from other countries.
National Leaders Align on a Shared Vision
David Lammy highlighted the strategic importance of legal services:
“The UK’s legal services sector is a hidden super-power of our economy… Today I am bringing together legal and business leaders to make sure the UK remains the jurisdiction of choice and continues to champion the rule of law around the world.”
Global businesses choose the legal system that governs their contracts, and English law has earned trust worldwide due to the quality of UK courts, independent judges, and professional excellence. It underpins £250 billion in global M&A transactions and governs 40% of worldwide corporate arbitrations — a testament to its international standing.
Expert Endorsements of the Strategy
John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer at the Confederation of British Industries, emphasised the sector’s importance:
“English law offers a trusted, stable foundation… bringing together this panel is a practical step for keeping a key pillar of the UK economy ahead of the curve.”
Mark Evans, President of the Law Society, welcomed the initiative:
“Our legal sector powers the country’s global influence and fuels the economy creating more jobs.”
James Palmer CBE, Chair of Legal Services for TheCityUK, noted the growing global competition:
“It is the shared responsibility of government, courts and the sector to support the continued development and promotion of English law to ensure it remains the law of choice for international commerce.”
The panel will develop a strategic plan to promote English law internationally, supported by new research to identify emerging opportunities. With communications expertise at the table, championed by Farzana Baduel, the UK strengthens its ability to tell its story globally — reinforcing its reputation as the world’s most trusted legal jurisdiction.
