International legal · PII
PI insurance for UK legal firms doing international work
Reviewed by Matthew Bartlett, Director, Apex Insurance Brokers Limited · Published 14 July 2026
UK solicitors' firms increasingly handle matters with international dimensions — cross-border corporate transactions, international commercial disputes, US-connected clients, multi-jurisdictional advisory. This page maps the specific PI considerations.
Types of international work
- Cross-border transactions where UK legal advice affects parties or assets in multiple jurisdictions.
- International commercial disputes involving arbitration, mediation, or foreign court proceedings.
- US-connected work for US-domiciled clients or on US-jurisdiction matters.
- EU cross-border matters post-Brexit — particularly financial services, IP and data protection.
- International private client work for HNW individuals with cross-border tax and estate planning needs.
- Legal advice on foreign-law matters where the firm relies on foreign local counsel.
SRA framework for international work
- SRA MTC-compliant PII covers civil liability arising from the firm's activities as a solicitors' firm.
- Territorial scope of SRA MTC typically worldwide for the firm's SRA-regulated work.
- Foreign-court proceedings covered up to policy limits.
- Some SRA-specific extensions for known-jurisdiction matters.
- Distinct rules apply to US-connected work due to US insurance market conventions.
US-connected work — the specific challenge
- US legal market conventions differ materially from UK. Duty-to-defend obligations, aggregate structures, insurer-rating requirements.
- US client contracts often require A.M. Best-rated insurers, US-jurisdiction cover, US-defence-cost provisions.
- UK PI cover typically responds but wording extensions may be needed.
- Territorial scope must explicitly cover US work.
- Some UK firms hold both UK PI and separate US-market E&O for material US practice.
Multi-jurisdictional considerations
- Foreign local counsel liability. Where the UK firm relies on foreign counsel, coverage extends to the UK firm's decision to instruct and coordinate.
- Foreign court jurisdiction. Claims made in foreign courts covered by UK PI subject to policy terms.
- Regulatory investigation across jurisdictions. UK firm may face SRA plus foreign regulator engagement.
- Foreign professional negligence law. Different countries have different professional negligence tests; UK PI responds to the civil liability arising.
- Currency and enforcement. Foreign-currency judgments and enforcement across borders.
Cover-sizing for international work
- UK firms with material international transactional work typically at £10m-£25m per claim.
- Firms with US-connected practice at £25m+ often via layered programmes.
- International commercial litigation practices £10m-£50m.
- Firms with EU cross-border financial services work £10m+ with regulatory-investigation extensions.
- Cross-border private-client tax and trust work sized to client-wealth exposure.
Getting cover structured
- Confirm territorial scope covers the jurisdictions where the firm actually works.
- Discuss with broker whether UK PI is adequate or supplemental US-market cover needed.
- Ensure retro-date covers historic international work.
- Consider layered programme for material international exposure.
- Regulatory-investigation cover extensions for foreign-regulator engagement.
- Client-contract review at engagement to catch specific insurance requirements.
Frequently asked
Does UK PI cover work I do for foreign clients?
Territorial scope of most UK PI includes worldwide activity subject to policy terms. Confirm the specific scope in your policy. Some jurisdictions may need specific extensions.
What about US clients specifically?
US-connected work sits under UK PI subject to territorial scope. US client contracts often specify additional requirements (A.M. Best rating, US-defence provisions). Some UK firms with material US practice hold supplemental US-market cover.
How does foreign local counsel affect my PI?
Where the UK firm relies on foreign local counsel, the UK firm's PI covers the UK firm's decisions on instruction and coordination. Foreign counsel's own PI covers their advice. The interaction depends on the specific matter.
What if a claim is brought against me in a foreign court?
UK PI covers claims made in foreign courts subject to policy terms and territorial scope. Insurer instructs local defence counsel; UK broker coordinates.
Do EU cross-border matters need specific cover post-Brexit?
Territorial scope typically covers EU. Specific EU-regulated activities (MiFID, GDPR, insurance-distribution) may need specific extensions. Confirm at renewal.
How much PI cover do international legal firms typically hold?
Mid-market UK international practice: £10m-£25m per claim. Large international practices: layered programmes to £50m-£100m+. Client contract requirements often set the floor.
Do I need to notify each jurisdiction's regulator about my PI?
Typically no — SRA supervision covers the firm's regulatory position. Where the firm operates as a regulated entity in another jurisdiction (foreign practice), local regulator may require specific evidence.
What about foreign-currency claims and enforcement?
UK PI responds to claims regardless of currency, subject to policy limit expressed in the policy currency. Foreign-currency judgments enforced through UK courts follow standard mutual-recognition mechanisms.