header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
16 September 2019 / Michael Zander KC
Issue: 7856 / Categories: Features , Brexit , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail

Acting up: will the government abide by the law?

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Michael Zander QC traces the Benn Bill’s speedy progress to the statute book
  • The European Union (Withdrawal) (No 2) Act 2019.
  • Procedure was at the heart of the battle between the promoters of the Bill and its opponents.

The European Union (Withdrawal) (No 6) Bill was introduced by Hilary Benn (Labour MP for Leeds Central, pictured) at 3.13pm on Wednesday 4 September. It received Royal Assent on Monday 9 September at 3.18pm.

From ‘No 6 Bill‘, it became ‘No 2 Act’—because it was the second Act with that name to be passed in 2019. The first, the so-called Cooper-Letwin Bill, which also was rushed through all its stages in April, required the then prime minister, Theresa May, to seek an Art 50 extension beyond 12 April 2019. In the event she ended by agreeing to an extension until 31 October. (See ‘Brexit: is MPs taking control a good or a bad thing?’ NLJ, 3 May 2019, p13).

The cross-party sponsors

The

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
Zylpha LogoClick to know more
Eversheds Sutherland—Claire Petheram

Eversheds Sutherland—Claire Petheram

Eversheds Sutherland strengthens top-ranked pensions practice with appointment of former global head of pensions

mfg Solicitors—Hannah Finnegan

mfg Solicitors—Hannah Finnegan

Law firm strengthens private client team to support continued growth

Devonshires—Andrew Cromb

Devonshires—Andrew Cromb

Devonshires expands offering with appointment of tax partner Andrew Cromb

NEWS
Read All
Prince Harry costs battle could go on for years
Mr Justice Nicklin’s decision to order costs on an indemnity basis may be a ‘significant win’ but it’s still ‘far from game, set and match’ for Associated Newspapers, a former costs judge has said
Legal sector teams gear up for Festival of Sport 2026
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
The LexisNexis Legal Aid Deserts Report 2026
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
SRA sounds warning over AI misuse as reports & investigations mount
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
NLJ this week: Love, money & the spreadsheet
Can a meticulously maintained spreadsheet turn a couple’s informal financial arrangements into legally enforceable obligations? 
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll