by Philip Byrne April-10-2017 in Banking & Financial Services, Property, Commercial & Business, Employment Law

Brexit – What does it mean for you and your business?

On 29 March 2017 the UK invoked Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty formally triggering the two year withdrawal process from the European Union.  Negotiations continue between the UK and the EU on the mechanism of the UK’s departure, but to date there has been no agreement on exit terms.

Businesses and individuals will be affected significantly, but the precise implications remain uncertain. The nature of any future trading relationship between the EU and the UK, following the UK’s departure from the EU has yet to be determined, and is likely to remain uncertain for some time.


Planning for Brexit and how we can help

Existing Irish Businesses

We provide expert advice and support to existing Irish companies and organisations in their preparations for Brexit. This includes:

  • Assisting in commercial contract reviews and negotiations, to identify and manage risk, where the contract involves trade with a UK entity
  • Advising on the rights of UK employees, within Irish organisations, including advising on the rights of UK employees to work in Ireland after the UK has left the EU
  • Advising on the transfer of personal data to and from the UK and putting in place measurers to protect organisations who transfer personal data to the UK in the event of a no deal Brexit
  • Advising on the impact of Brexit on existing intellectual property rights, and assisting organisation with putting measures in place to ensure their intellectual property is protected following the UK’s departure from the EU


Inward Investors

Ireland is seen as a natural home for UK companies looking to keep a base in the EU for a number of reasons, including:

  • Low corporate tax rate
  • Educated, English-speaking workforce
  • Pro-business and pro-EU environment with guaranteed access to EU markets
  • Similar legal system to the UK, including similar employment laws

Hayes is recognised for providing high quality legal advice to companies establishing or expanding their presence in Ireland. We offer a team of experienced advisers combining expertise in all the key areas, covering daily business operations along with the more strategic aspects of setting up in Ireland. We have partners and solicitors who are dual qualified in Ireland and England & Wales and we regularly advise on UK-Irish legal matters, including cross-border transactions in Ireland.

Our services to inward investors include:

  • Company formation
  • Corporate governance
  • Mergers & acquisitions and joint ventures
  • Employment law
  • Intellectual property
  • Regulatory advice
  • EU and competition/antitrust advice
  • Commercial real estate and high-end residential real estate
  • Data protection
  • Grants
  • Outsourcing

We work closely with leading professionals in the accounting and tax advisory professions along with government agencies to help companies set up their Irish operations efficiently and cost-effectively.