As summer arrives, we in the UK are now in the throws of a leadership election and the EU is at the beginning of its transition to new leadership in Europe which will take from now until the beginning of November. Three years have now passed since the Brexit vote in June 2016 but we are still no clearer what Brexit will really mean for all of us living and working in the UK. There is not much time before the next deadline arrives on 31 October.

We are once again hearing bold promises from candidates of what can be achieved in negotiations with Europe led by a new and different leader. This despite the fact many of the suggestions have already been rejected by the EU on a number of occasions. The EU itself is not quite clear what direction it is headed in. What is clear is that there is no real indication that the EU27 are willing to make concessions around or whether they are willing to renegotiate the agreement they consider was a "good deal". They might agree some tinkering with the Political Declaration but that would probably just be cosmetic.

Westminster looks very like the same Parliament which gave Mrs May such grief throughout the spring. The official opposition is still having difficulty deciding what it's policy is on Brexit. Holyrood is flexing its muscles around preparation for another Independence Vote, or at least the Scottish Government part of it is moving along that track

So where does that leave business? We are all facing the same uncertainty. Mr Tusk told the UK not to waste the time it had been given when the last extension was granted to 31 October. That applies to business as well to ensure it is as well prepared as possible to deal with whatever is thrown at it; the difficulties and the opportunities. We all have to plan ahead. Whether an agreement is reached or a no deal Brexit occurs, whether deliberately or by accident, the world has to keep turning and we have to be as ready as possible. 

We are working across all the sectors of the firm to help support our clients whatever awaits us all. We are taking a broad view across all areas to assess what it all means for their different interests.

Use the interactive timeline below to see how the Brexit road map has unfolded so far. You can also read about the Brexit related issues facing business, real estate, the public sector, individuals and families as detailed by our legal experts.