The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: a guide to the key issues and what happens next

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Launch of Linklaters Brexit Statutory Instruments Tracker

The UK Government has begun publishing amendments under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The purpose of the amendments is to ensure the UK’s laws work properly when the UK leaves the EU in March 2019. Up to 1000 amending statutory instruments are expected. These are being prepared on the basis of the UK leaving the EU in March 2019 without a transition period.

Our Brexit SI Tracker helps you follow the legislative changes that matter to you. It provides links to published SIs and more in-depth information for some of the most significant changes.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 aims to ensure that the UK will maintain a functioning legal framework even if there is no agreement with the EU.

Our guide sets out the key areas of interest, its impact and what happens next in the EU Withdrawal process.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: Scrutiny of Statutory Instruments

Our note looks at how the statutory instruments under the Withdrawal Act will become law.

Toolkits and FAQs

Our range of toolkits and FAQs are designed to help structure your Brexit planning and identify areas of opportunity or risk.

General Counsel checklist: This checklist for General Counsels sets out actions your organisation may need to consider taking in response to Brexit.
Supply chain mapping toolkit: What are the key potential impacts of Brexit on trade and an organisation’s supply chain?
Brexit proofing contracts checklist: This document sets out some key considerations, common to most commercial contracts in the UK and the EU, to help parties mitigate Brexit-related risks and resulting uncertainties.
Brexit: the next stage – 12 questions answered (March 2017).

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Article 50 and the withdrawal process

With continued uncertainty around the withdrawal and possible transition period, keeping up to date with the latest developments is essential. Our guides provide the latest insights.

Brexit timeline - Withdrawal Agreement negotiations
Timeline of the impact of EU political developments on Brexit
Government white paper on its plans for Brexit and its objectives for a new partnership between the EU and the UK
Linklaters acts as expert witness at House of Lords sub-Committee meeting on post-Brexit contractual continuity

Article 50, one year on

The 29th March marked one year since the UK triggered Article 50. We are 12 months in, with 12 months to go, what has been achieved in Brexit negotiations so far? Hear what our Brexit team think.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018

The UK government has succeeded in passing the critical piece of legislation needed to prepare the UK’s legal system for its withdrawal from the EU. The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 aims to ensure that the UK will maintain a functioning legal framework even if there is no agreement with the EU. This will involve a massive overhaul of EU-derived regulation over the coming months. The Act also sets out a process for Parliament to vote on the outcome of the withdrawal negotiations.

This guide sets out the key areas of interest, its impact and what happens next in the EU Withdrawal process.

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Legal area commentary

Given the complexity surrounding Brexit and the withdrawal process, our team have developed in-depth analysis on key legal, sector and jurisdictional issues:

Selected publications

Decoding Brexit for financial services: where are we now?
“No-deal”, applicable law, and jurisdiction/ recognition of judgments in the UK – Where are we now?

The impact of Brexit in the loan markets

Our latest video highlights the potential changes being considered under loan documents and the areas to watch as the Brexit process continues to unfold.

Thought leadership

Our thought leadership pieces delve into the key issues and topics surrounding Brexit to bring you thought-provoking insights.

The Rule of Law

Whatever one’s views on the merits of Brexit, from the perspective of the rule of law it presents both a threat and an opportunity. Over the next few years, a huge amount of UK law will be changed, not least in respect of transposing EU legislation into UK law. The complexity of this task means that there also unprecedented political and commercial attention being paid the UK’s legal system. This task, and this attention, gives the UK the opportunity not only to change individual laws, but also to enhance the rule of law itself.

Read our Rule of Law report

The Architecture for Regulating Finance after Brexit

Linklaters and the International Regulatory Strategy Group have launched a report, "The Architecture for Regulating Finance after Brexit". The report, which builds on our previous report "The Great Repeal Bill Domesticating EU Law", outlines principles for an effective regulatory framework. It proposes reforms to the UK’s existing system of financial services regulation in light of changes in the responsibilities of the regulators and the government as rule-making processes are domesticated through the EU Withdrawal Bill.