Across Europe, M&A and financial services markets have remained buoyant throughout 2018. But with Brexit looming, and the U.S. and China continuing to exchange blows ahead of what many fear will be a global trade war, notes of uncertainty are starting to ring out.

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