If, by the middle of November 2020, the EU and UK agree the terms of a new trade agreement that will define the shape of their future relationship from 1 January, our expectation is that it will be ratified by both sides as required to ensure that it comes into force in time for the … Read more

As businesses and governments around the world continue to grapple with the implications of COVID-19, Brexit is fast approaching. This time for real. Last year, as businesses awaited a potential Brexit without a deal, the difference was stark. ‘Deal’ meant entering a status quo transition period in which essentially nothing changed for business; whereas ‘no-deal’ … Read more

Negotiations on the Future Partnership between the UK and the EU have progressed through three rounds – held by video conference rather than face-to face given the current circumstances.  According to the press-conferences, and in particular the introductory statement of the EU negotiator at the end of the third round, there are fundamental differences between … Read more

During the negotiations for the Withdrawal Agreement, much attention was paid to the need to prepare for a no-deal Brexit – where trade with the EU would no longer benefit from all the facilitations made possible by the Single Market, but would be governed by WTO rules only. Both the European Commission and the UK … Read more

During the negotiations for the Withdrawal Agreement, much attention was paid to no-deal Brexit preparations. Both the European Commission and the UK Government issued large numbers of sectoral “preparedness notices” warning participants of the consequences of no deal and insisting that all operators need to prepare. Read more

The updated Trade: The new relationships section of our Brexit Legal Guide is now available. This provides a useful overview, amongst other things, as to whether: during the transition period, the UK remains in the Single Market and the Customs Union, and there continues to be free movement of goods, persons, services and capital between the UK and … Read more

Today, the House of Lords European Union Committee published a report setting out their analysis of the EU’s negotiating mandate on the future EU-UK relationship. Under the terms of section 29 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020, scrutiny committees from either UK Houses of Parliament are empowered to “report on legislation that they … Read more

The UK Government has published the terms of reference for the future UK-EU relationship negotiations, which includes the negotiating timetable. At present, the negotiations are split into five rounds and are to take place in both Brussels and London over the next 3 months. The agenda for each round will be published in advance: the … Read more