Career guide: legal jobs abroad

Cross-border experience is beneficial for developing soft skills and professional expertise, so it is no surprise that the Law Society supports its members in pursuing overseas opportunities. Deciding whether to work overseas is a very personal decision and one that must consider the financial and career-related opportunities and implications of such a move.

How to access overseas legal jobs There are a variety of ways in which lawyers can access overseas work:?

1. Secondment

They could seek secondment opportunities through their current law firm. These can last for a period of up to two years and provide stability and a guaranteed job to return to. Many UK law firms have an international presence and would be willing to support a talented lawyer to achieve their career ambitions within the firm whilst broadening their experience for a later step up the firm's hierarchy.

2. Seek employment with an international firm

Many firms located overseas, in particular in the Middle East, practise English law and would welcome applications from talented and experienced lawyers. Although there are tax and financial implications associated with a permanent move overseas, the benefits of immersing yourself in a foreign culture and climate are often deemed worth the challenge.

3. Offshore legal opportunities

The law that is practised in various offshore jurisdictions, such as the British Virgin Islands and the Channel Islands, bears more than a passing resemblance to UK law. This means familiarising yourself with native legislation is not overly challenging, with the favourable tax laws an added benefit.

4. Re-qualifying abroad

Deciding to re-qualify abroad is a big decision and one that attracts a significant amount of commitment to remain living and working overseas for the foreseeable future. Not only must you negotiate the tax and financial implications of a permanent overseas move but also you must forsake your existing training and experience to become a junior member of the team.?

Benefits and challenges of legal jobs abroad

Overseas work is very beneficial for lawyers who want to deepen their knowledge, broaden their experience, and immerse themselves in another culture, either for a short period or indefinitely. Overseas legal jobs often offer the opportunity to bolster your salary through favourable tax implications and could make you a more desirable candidate for senior jobs when you return to the UK.?

There are some key hurdles that must be overcome for any such move to ultimately be considered a success. These are the need to adapt to the customs and principles of your chosen destination, overcome language barriers, and obtain work permits. When you move overseas with the support of an established firm, you will receive help from experienced English-speaking staff to overcome these challenges. Going it alone will require persistence, perseverance, and patience.

Finding overseas work

If your existing law firm has an international presence or has links with an overseas firm, you should investigate internal opportunities for a move first. This will allow you to make the move in as streamlined a manner as possible in addition to keeping doors open for a later return.

If you do not have a professional network upon which to call, a legal recruiter such as Interlink can offer you a sounding board to discuss your desires and aspirations and support you in identifying suitable opportunities.

Whether you are looking to move abroad for personal reasons or to expand your career horizons, we can help you to consider all the implications of such a move and support you in both achieving an overseas role and returning to UK work in the future.

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