Jeremy Blackshaw, managing partner, international for MinterEllison, said both trade agreements are top priorities for the UK government and “will boost trade and strengthen investment post Brexit between long standing ‘friends’ and like-minded economies.”

MinterEllison and MinterEllisonRuddWatts will present a unique trans-Tasman international trade offering, according to Mr Blackshaw, and the firms will be advising on the negotiation and implementation of the agreements. The appointment is for three years and resulted from a competitive tender.

David Morfesi, director international trade, said as countries move forward post-pandemic international trade, instruments and measures facilitating and liberalising trade, will be key tools in global economic recovery.

“The pandemic has changed, perhaps permanently, the way we manufacture, provide, sell, purchase and consume goods and services, and the regulation of trade will evolve similarly as necessary to take full advantage of and gain maximum benefit from trade going forward,” he said.

Previously, MinterEllison had analysed that a concluded Brexit will have consequences for the Australian market, businesses and consumers. The Australian government is putting in place a number of mechanisms to mitigate the longer-term impacts and facilitate new opportunities.

“Despite these opportunities, we recommend that Australian interests continue to monitor developments in Brexit transition period, understand the impacts of any changes to their tariffs, quotas or other non-tariff barriers, conduct due diligence and make adjustments to access appropriate supply markets and value chains along with understanding any state dispute settlement processes,” the analysis stated.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said the coronavirus-induced recession has made a new free trade deal between Australia and the UK even more important.

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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared that a trade deal between the UK and Australia would bring “wonderful” Tim Tam biscuits to Britons at a “reasonable price”.

With the Australian-UK free trade moving into the next step, the new deal could also have significant positive impacts on the Australian legal profession.

Carl Hinze, Holding Redlich corporate and commercial law partner, previously told Lawyers Weekly that the commencement of negotiation of the UK-Australia FTA presents tremendous opportunities for the Australian legal profession. 

Law Council president, Pauline Wright, said that an FTA will further strengthen the ties between our two nations, with the potential to benefit both countries.