To the surprise of many, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday called a general election to be held on July 4, several months earlier than anticipated.

The announcement, made by Sunak on a rain-soaked Downing Street, kicks off what is expected to be a fiercely fought six-week campaign. Now, lawyers are faced with the prospect of potentially having to guide clients on what could be the country’s first change of government in 14 years.