UK law firms eyeing up Irish targets

Only 38% of the 20 largest law firms in the country are anticipating an improvement in business conditions next year, according to a new survey, which also predicts Brexit will provoke a round of M&A activity as UK legal firms look to grow in Dublin.

The study, by the Dublin office of leading international accountancy firm Smith & Williamson, found that, in total, just over half — 52%, to be precise — of the entire legal sector in Ireland have high hopes for their business environment in 2017.

The study also shows that 55% of Irish law firms — and 54% of the top 20 — think the business outlook for the legal sector, here, improved in the past 12 months.