Immigration cap 'could strangle City law firms'

Imposing an annual cap on immigration could "strangle" City law firms, it has been suggested.

According to the Law Society, the cap would "severely restrict" law firms' potential to conduct business overseas.

It will also lead to less interest in the UK from overseas lawyers and prevent employees moving to London from firms' international offices.

The society claims the restriction also has the potential to damage the reputation of the UK legal sector.

The UK government has introduced a temporary limit of 24,100 immigrant workers until April 2011.

Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson said: "Just when we are pulling ourselves out of a crippling recession, imposing this cap now will strangle City law firms and, in turn, hit the businesses they act for."

"The UK legal sector is a huge employer of domestic legal talent, and restrictions on future international business development will mean fewer opportunities for UK lawyers to gain employment and international experience," he added.

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