The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka Anite on Wednesday disclosed that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) on Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) has no provision for legal services by foreign lawyers in host jurisdiction.
She said the legal services provision of the ETIP acknowledged the mutual benefits that the United Kingdom and Nigeria’s legal sectors can derive both in knowledge sharing and collaboration towards enhanced cooperation.
According to a source closed to the Minister, the exact provision on legal services included in the ETIP is as follows: The Parties aspire to facilitate in their respective jurisdictions the provision of legal services by each other’s qualified legal professionals in relation to the law of their home jurisdiction, public international law, arbitration, reconciliation and mediation.
“This will exclude the provision of legal services in host jurisdiction law, rights of audience and litigation in the host country’s domestic courts.”
Anite said the ETIP does not have any provisions that allow U.K. licensed lawyers to practice in Nigeria. “Current law prevents foreign lawyers practicing here and legal services in Nigeria are governed by a statutory framework which cannot be overturned by a bilateral MoU”.
The Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) is a significant partnership MOU signed between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Though not legally binding, it is preparatory to entry into a bilateral agreement.
Key Benefits of the ETIP to Nigeria includes the facilitation of smooth trade processes which allows businesses in the country to export more non-oil goods to the UK.
The ETIP makes provisions to create a platform for both parties to understand the opportunities for exporting non-oil products to the UK and will jointly monitor progress and share opportunities on export diversification.
Again, Nigerian Exporters will be trained on how to benefit from the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) and overcome operational challenges hindering Nigerian exporters.
The UK DCTS is a preferential trading scheme designed to boost trade with developing countries and support their development. It enables Nigerian exporters to export up to 3000 different agricultural products to the UK with beneficial terms, driving much needed foreign exchange into our economy, creating local jobs.