The UK government has published its Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) report for 2023-2024. The TCA report describes progress in its cooperation with the EU on services, digital trade, intellectual property and legal frameworks. The following areas are likely to be of interest to tech lawyers:
Legal services
The TCA enables the UK to agree on mutual recognition frameworks for professional qualifications including all 27 EU member states. In May 2025, the UK and EU agreed to establish a dedicated dialogue to enable implementation of the TCA’s provisions on professional qualification recognition. There are still challenges around inconsistent visas and work permit requirements across the EU member states – a dedicated dialogue was established to address business-related entry and temporary stay visas. The TCA enables UK lawyers to advise on UK and international law in the EU using their professional titles, although there may be different reservations depending on individual member states – Luxembourg recently made changes to improve market access for UK lawyers while there are concerns regarding Greece.
Financial services and fintech
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Financial Services Cooperation was signed in June 2023, which established the Joint UK-EU Financial Regulatory Forum, with meetings being held in October 2023, May 2024, and February 2025. Discussions covered topics like financial stability, sustainable finance, digital/crypto-assets, banking, resolution frameworks and capital markets reform. Additionally, topics also encompassed Basel III, T+1 Settlement transition and AI and financial innovation
Digital trade
The TCA also includes provisions aimed at promoting digital trade across both goods and services.
Intellectual property
The TCA’s IP framework aims to establish robust protection standards and strengthens mechanisms for the enforcement of rights regarding IP. It provides for structure cooperation between the UK and EU authorities. The UK and EU have held discussions about enforcing IP rights, IP Finance, Standard Essential Patents and interactions between AI and copyright regulation. The UK has also stated its intent for an MoU to be signed to enable cooperation between the UK IPO and EU Intellectual Property Office.
