Over 250 lawyers have signed a report against Brexit, including the leaders of Clyde & Co, Simmons & Simmons and Travers Smith.

The report, “Lawyers – In for Britain” has been promoted by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer antitrust partner John Davies and sets out the group’s arguments for remaining in the EU.

It already has around 250 signatories, including Travers Smith senior partner Chris Hale and managing partner David Patient, Simmons & Simmons senior partner Colin Passmore and Clyde & Co chairman Michael Payton.

Soon-to-be-retired Allen & Overy senior partner David Morley is a further signatory, as well as former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer London head Tim Jones.

Meanwhile high-profile competition partners have expressed their interest in remaining in the EU, including Kirkland & Ellis partner Paula Riedel and Slaughter and May competition head Philippe Chappatte.

Blackstone Chambers’ Kieron Beal QC and Tom de la Mare QC are two members of the Bar to have signed the report, as well as Brick Court Chambers’ Sir Nicholas Forwood QC, who joined White & Case’s Brussels office on a part-time basis earlier this month.

The report published today outlines the benefits of, and misconceptions about the UK’s membership of the EU. It claims that access to the single market has helped support the UK economy and boost living standards, citing a survey of over 100 economists that says the country’s prospects would be damaged if it left the EU.

“The benefits of EU membership to the UK economy and people are substantial,” the report reads. “They range from easier and cheaper travel, to a more secure society, a cleaner environment, confidence that the goods and services available in the UK are of the same high standard and quality, and guaranteed access to the single market on which so much of the UK’s jobs and prosperity depends. British citizens take many of the benefits of EU membership for granted.They have become part of the fabric of UK life over the 43 years since the UK became a member of the EU in 1973.”

The full report can be read here.