Legal Services Bill [Lords]

Is not my hon. Friend’s important point reinforced by the precedent set when Hong Kong was returned to China? The then Government took great pains to ensure that there were significant safeguards to protect the independence of the existing Hong Kong judicial system, recognising that the integrity and international reputation of the Hong Kong judicial and legal system was important for Hong Kong’s future economic viability. Does not the same consideration apply here? It is important that we do not risk having even the perception among the many international organisations that choose to have their contracts dealt with under English law, that there is political interference.