Brexit policy work

We have been closely monitoring the main developments arising from the UK’s vote to leave the EU and from the earliest opportunity we been actively promoting the interests of our members and the public to politicians and civil servants. We will continue to do so now that a trade agreement has been reached and begins the process of implementation.

Full details of our various position papers can be found on this page. Please see the Parliamentary Bills page for all of our input on Brexit-related legislation. If you have any questions about any aspect of our international work, please contact Katie Hay at [email protected] or 0131 476 8351.

Our latest briefings, responses and position papers on Brexit

We responded to the Ministry of Justice's consultation on the Departue from Retained EU case law by UK Courts and Tribunals.

Read our response to the Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee inquiry on Article 50.

Read our response to the UK Government's White Paper on the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

We responded to the House of Commons Procedure Committee inquiry "Exiting the European Union: scrutiny of delegated legislation".

In January 2017, we issued a briefing to all MSPs ahead of the Scottish Government debate -  'Scotland's Place in the EU - Protecting and Promoting Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms'.

We responded to the Joint Committee on Human Rights inquiry on the human rights implications of Brexit

We responded to the House of Lords EU Financial Affairs Sub-Committee inquiry into the future of financial regulation and supervision following Brexit.

We responded to the House of Lords EU Select Committee's inquiry into the future UK-EU relationship.

In March 2017 the UK Law Societies' Joint Brussels Office published a report analysing and highlighting the main legal issues that are important for all who have cross-border links. The report also addresses the key issues faced by legal practitioners.

We responded to the House of Commons Exiting the EU Committee inquiry on the UK's negotiating objectives for withdrawal from the EU.

In November 2016 we submitted proposals to the UK Government ahead of the commencement of the Brexit negotiations.

We responded to the UK Government's policy paper on options for maintaining internal security collaboration in the future partnership with the EU.

We responded to the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee inquiry on the reciprocal healthcare implications of Brexit.

In September 2017, we published an analysis paper on the UK's withdrawal from the EU and the potential impact on health related matters.

We responded to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's White Paper on the UK Internal Market.

We responded to the House of Lords UK Services Sub-Committee Inquiry into the Future UK-EU Relationship on Professional and Business Services.

 We issued a briefing on the potential impact of Brexit on the area of intellectual property law.

We responded to the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee inquiry on trade in non-financial services.

We responded to the UK Government's White Paper "Customs Bill: legislating for the UK’s future customs, VAT and excise regimes".

We responded to the Department for International Trade's paper on future UK trade policy.

We responded to the House of Lords EU Internal Market Sub-Committee inquiry into UK competition policy after Brexit.

We responded to the House of Commons EU Justice Sub-Committee inquiry on enforcement and dispute resolution post-Brexit.

We responded to the House of Commons Justice Committee inquiry on the implications of Brexit for the justice system.

We responded to the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee inquiry on EU policing and security issues.

We responded to the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee inquiry on the future of EU-UK security and police co-operation

We responded to the Scottish Parliament Health and Sport Committee inquiry on the impact of leaving the EU on health and social care in Scotland.

We responded to the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry on devolution and exiting the EU.

We responded to the House of Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee inquiry on Brexit and devolution.

We responded to the House of Lords EU Select Committee inquiry on Brexit and devolution.

We responded to the Scottish Government's paper 'Scotland's Place in Europe' which sets out the government's position following the result of the EU Referendum.

In November 2016, we issued a briefing to all MSPs ahead of the Scottish Government debate 'UK Referendum on EU Membership: Impacts on Justice and Security in Scotland'.

We responded to the Scottish Parliament European and External Relations Committee inquiry on Scotland's relationship with the EU.

We responded to the Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom.

We considered the European Commission's position paper to the EU27 on the Draft Withdrawal Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community.

We responded to the UK Government's policy paper 'Providing a cross-border civil judicial cooperation framework - a future partnership'.

In August 2017, we issued a memorandum of comments on the UK Government and EU Commission's policy papers on the ongoing union judicial and administrative proceedings.

We responded to the UK Government's policy paper 'Safeguarding the position of EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU'.

We responded to the UK Government's White Paper on legislating for the UK's withdrawal from the European Union.

We responded to the UK Government's White Paper on the UK's exit from and new partnership with the European Union.

Intimation has been given to the Scottish Government of four statutory instruments which the UK Government proposes to make in relation to the regulation of pesticides and the manufacturing and marketing fertilisers.

European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Consequential Modifications and Repeals and Revocations) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018.

Brexit-related legislation

EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill

A Bill to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, as agreed between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and implement the Agreements (EU, EEA EFTA and Swiss) in domestic law.

European Union (Withdrawal) Bill 2017-19

A Bill to repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and make other provision in connection with the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU.

Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill 2017-19

A Bill to impose and regulate a duty of customs by reference to the importation of goods into the United Kingdom

Trade Bill 2017-19

A Bill to make provision about the implementation of international trade agreements.

UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill

A Bill for an Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision for Scotland in connection with the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU.