Overview

The UK has successfully retained its place as the most attractive destination for inward investment in Europe in 2009, attracting over one in five (21%) of new investment projects in Western Europe and with 678 investment projects in 2009.

The UK’s financial and professional services, and the strength of London, remain a powerful draw and it remains the most attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Europe. In 2009, the top investors in the UK were the US (243 projects), France (50), Germany (49) and India (38).

The UK won 30% of business services projects, 36% of software projects and 27% of financial service projects in Western Europe. It attracted 54% of all Indian FDI projects into Europe.

Initially, the legal system in the UK, the way in which investment in companies is made, the restrictions on acquiring businesses in the UK and the rules on money laundering, financial services, employment, tax law and other areas, can be difficult to understand.

This Herbert Smith guide explains the key legal issues affecting planned or existing investment in the UK. It aims to explain those legal areas to the overseas investor and act as a glossary or step-by-step guide for the reader.

Click ‘View Briefing’ to read the full guide.