Updated: First EU draft of the Future Relationship

16 March, 2020
Update 18 March 2020: Subsequent to our post below, the Commission has released an official version of the draft agreement which we understand has hardened the position in some respects. Also, on 18 March 2020 the UK provided the EU with a copy of its draft proposed agreement, although this is not yet available so … Read more

Updated Brexit Legal Guide launched

11 September, 2019
Today our updated Brexit Legal Guide was released. Below is a message from our Chair and Senior Partner James Palmer which accompanied the updated guide. Dear clients and professional colleagues, The outcome of the June 2016 UK referendum on EU membership ushered in a period of increasing political turmoil in the UK. When I wrote … Read more

Brexit day extension until 12 April 2019 as exit deal defeated again

29 March, 2019
Following the UK Government’s defeat on the Withdrawal Agreement today, the time at which the UK is due to leave the EU is now confirmed as having moved to 11pm GMT on Friday 12 April 2019. The change is reflected in the Statutory Instrument that has been passed by the UK Parliament earlier this week to amend … Read more

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR THE UK TO EXIT THE EU?

21 March, 2019
The Prime Minister has now officially requested an extension of the Brexit deadline to 30 June 2019 to enable her to bring the negotiated withdrawal deal (the legally binding Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration on future relations) back to Parliament for a third ‘Meaningful Vote’.  The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, responded that a … Read more

Supreme Court rules on legislative framework for powers returning after Brexit and scope of Scottish Parliament’s legislative competence

20 December, 2018
SUMMARY The Supreme Court has handed down its decision on the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill (“the Scottish Bill”), in a judgment which will have important implications for legislative powers returning from Brussels upon Brexit and for the UK’s devolution framework. In preparation for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, … Read more

Draft Statutory Instruments amending “retained EU Law” Starting to Appear

20 April, 2018
While the date for the passage of the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill is receding, as a messy political standoff on its terms takes place, the Government has published example draft Brexit Statutory Instruments planned to be passed under the Bill once enacted.  These are designed to adapt EU law which will be retained in UK … Read more

New Brexit Papers – Government Position Paper on Collaboration on Science and Innovation and House of Commons Library Briefing Paper on the Withdrawal Bill

07 September, 2017
The Government has published a position paper on Collaboration on science and innovation. Having previously stated its intent to continue to collaborate with its European partners on major science, research and technology initiatives, this paper sets out the UK’s objectives for a science and innovation partnership agreement with the EU. On 1 September 2017 the … Read more

Legislating for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU

14 August, 2017
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill was published by the Government in July 2017 and is the key piece of UK domestic legislation that will implement Brexit. In this briefing, we explain the main features of the Withdrawal Bill, how it will impact on UK law and the important scope and interpretation issues that it raises. Read more