Across Europe, M&A and financial services markets have remained buoyant throughout 2018. But with Brexit looming in March, and the United States and China continuing to exchange blows ahead of what many fear will be a global trade war, notes of uncertainty have started to ring across London.

With M&A deals on the rise in Germany, France, the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, the priority for U.K.-based lawyers is introducing certainty to deals and insulating clients from potential political and economic shocks over the next six months and beyond.