On 12 September 2017, the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill 2017 – 2019 (the “Bill”) passed its second reading in the House of Commons. The Bill (i) overturns the 1972 European Communities Act, which took the UK into the European Economic Community, and (ii) converts all existing EU law into UK law (subject to any requisite amendments to be made by the Government to enable this transition). The aim of the Bill is to ensure that, on 29 March 2019 when the UK leaves the EU, there are no gaps in legislation. The Bill has now passed on to the Committee Stage for further review (where it will be scrutinised line by line) and over 150 amendments have been proposed as the Bill continues its passage through the House of Commons. Before the Bill receives Royal Assent (at which point it becomes an Act (and therefore law)), the Bill will pass through a further reporting stage and third reading in the House of Commons prior to being scrutinised in the House of Lords. Significant challenges therefore lie ahead before the Bill is passed in its final form. Click here for more..
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