Farzana Baduel Joins English Law Promotion Panel — Only South Asian British Leader on the Committee: Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Chancellor David Lammy has convened theEnglish Law Promotion Panel, a new high-level body formed under the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy to future-proof the nation’s legal sector and reinforce the global position of English law. The panel held its first meeting today (Monday, 8 December) at the International Dispute Resolution Centre in London.
Notably, the panel includes Farzana Baduel, CEO and President-Elect of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations — and the only South Asian British leader appointed to this national panel. She will be joined by legal and business leaders, judges, academics, and major professional services organisations.
You can check out: Exclusive: Interview with Farzana Baduel – Championing Diversity, Storytelling, and Global Impact in Strategic Communications
A Mission to Strengthen UK Legal Leadership
The panel’s creation underscores the vital role English law plays in global trade and commerce. It will focus on reinforcing English law’s status as the preferred choice for international business, while positioning the UK ahead amid growing competition from other jurisdictions.
The sector is a powerhouse of the UK economy, contributing over £42.6 billion annually and supporting more than 364,000 jobs. Its global credibility makes the UK a world-leading centre for dispute resolution, arbitration, and cross-border contracting.
Leadership Voices Highlight Strategic Importance
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy emphasised the scale of the sector’s strengths and the need for continued leadership:
“The UK’s legal services sector is a hidden super-power of our economy, generating more than £42.6 billion a year and employing more than 364,000 people across the country.
English law is key to that success story and we want to stay ahead of the game. Today I am bringing together legal and business leaders to make sure the UK remains the jurisdiction of choice and continues to champion the rule of law around the world.”
English law governs £250 billion in global mergers and acquisitions and accounts for 40% of global corporate arbitrations, demonstrating its crucial role in underpinning international trade and investment.
John Foster, Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer at the Confederation of British Industries, spoke to its international significance:
“English law offers a trusted, stable foundation… With English law being a renowned strength of the UK’s global brand, bringing together this panel is a practical step for keeping a key pillar of the UK economy ahead of the curve.”
Similarly, Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, welcomed the government’s direction:
“The UK is a leading international legal centre… Our legal sector powers the country’s global influence and fuels the economy, creating more jobs.”
James Palmer CBE, Chair of Legal Services for TheCityUK, described the panel as a vital step to safeguard international leadership:
“The UK legal sector is world-leading but operates in an increasingly competitive global market. It is the shared responsibility of government, courts and the sector to promote English law to ensure it remains the law of choice for international commerce.”
Farzana Baduel’s Distinct Contribution
Farzana Baduel’s appointment highlights the growing recognition of strategic communications as a critical pillar in promoting institutional trust, national reputation, and confidence in English law worldwide. As the sole South Asian British voice on the panel, she brings unique representation and expertise, reinforcing the sector’s diversity and global outlook.
The panel’s strategy will be supported by new research designed to identify future opportunities and strengthen English law’s position as a global standard. Its work aims to protect one of the UK’s most valuable economic and reputational assets — further establishing the nation as the jurisdiction of choice for international business.
