United Kingdom

Often referred to as the UK or Great Britain, the United Kingdom is a sovereign country located in Western Europe. The United Kingdom encompasses the island of Great Britain, the Northeastern portion of Ireland, and several smaller islands. Apart from the land-border it shares with Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is surrounded by the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Celtic Sea, and the English Channel. It has the 12th largest coastline in the world.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy and is governed by a parliamentary democracy. Queen Elizabeth has been the reigning monarch since 1952, giving her the title of the longest serving head of the state. The capital city is London, which has a population of over 10 million residents. It is a global city and major financial centre not only in the country, but worldwide as well. The United Kingdom is comprised of four countries including: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

The UK has sovereignty over 17 territories which includes three Crown Dependencies and fourteen overseas territories. The UK is governed under the monarch, and the Constitution is uncodified consisting mainly of statutes, international treatises, judge-made law, case law, and the constitutional conventions.

The UK is a member of the United Nations Security Council. It is also a standing member of NATO, G7 Finance Ministers, the G7 Forum, the Commonwealth of Nations, Council of Europe. WTO, OECD, and OSCE. It has recently withdrawn from the European Union in what has become famously known as the Brexit-split. The UK also has a “special relationship” with the United States and a close partnership with France, as the nation shares nuclear weapon technologies with both countries.

The UK has a highly diversified economy, with its GDP coming mainly from the service sector. It’s economy is greatly driven by the banking/financial sector, pharmaceuticals, international trade, and tourism. The aerospace industry is highly profitable for the UK, as is the motorsports industry, and agriculture industry. The British pound is one of the most highly used forms of currency as the UK deals with so many international partners in trade and import/export transactions.

The National Law Review covers a number of cases, litigation, and news stories from the UK. M&A transactions, ICO and bitcoin transactions, and the banking industry/financial sector; including the UK Financial Conduct Authority. The National Law Review also covers cases from the Employment Tribunal on cases involving wrongful termination, discrimination, and harassment. Visitors to the National Law Review will also find various news stories and new legislation post-Brexit, including the impending General Data Protection Regulation which will become effective in May of 2018. From news, to financial services, to litigation in the United Kingdom, visitors to the National Law Review will always find the latest content online.