In 1989, the EU adopted a directive which in principle provided for mutual recognition of diplomas among the EU member states. Implementation of this directive in respect of lawyers' diplomas has, however, been delayed. The Commission's proposals for such a directive have now been published. Under these proposals lawyers qualified in one EU member state will be entitled to practice under their home country title in any other EU member state for a period of up to five years provided they register with the authorities in the country in which they are to practice. After the five-year initial period the host country will have the right to require that the lawyer in question be "integrated" with the local profession, although if the lawyer has been sufficiently involved in local law during the initial five-year period he or she will be exempt from any "applicable test" that might otherwise be required. Unfortunately, the exact wording of the proposed directive is rather unclear on what is meant by this and the wording will probably be modified before the directive is finalized.

Furthermore, most member states will be required to permit multinational partnerships of lawyers.