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15 March 2017
Issue: 7738 / Categories: Legal News , Brexit , EU
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Brexit & another Scottish referendum

The EU (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, also known as the Brexit Bill, has received Royal Assent this week, paving the way for the government to trigger Art 50 at the end of March.

Despite two House of Lords amendments guaranteeing the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and a meaningful vote on the final deal, Peers backed down after these were overturned with a comfortable margin by MPs, and the Bill passed without amendment.

Adding further constitutional confusion, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her wish to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence between autumn 2018 and spring 2019—ahead of the two-year deadline for the UK’s exit from the EU.

Meanwhile, Gina Miller, who brought the Supreme Court challenge against the government over its right to trigger Art 50 without a Parliamentary vote, and won, has said she may return to court for a ruling on whether Parliament should be given a vote on the final Brexit deal.

Issue: 7738 / Categories: Legal News , Brexit , EU
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Foot Anstey—Jasmine Olomolaiye

Foot Anstey—Jasmine Olomolaiye

Investigations and corporate crime expert joins as partner

Fieldfisher—Mark Shaw

Fieldfisher—Mark Shaw

Veteran funds specialist joins investment funds team

Taylor Wessing—Stephen Whitfield

Taylor Wessing—Stephen Whitfield

Firm enhances competition practice with London partner hire

NEWS
The Supreme Court has delivered a decisive ruling on termination under the JCT Design & Build form. Writing in NLJ this week, Andrew Singer KC and Jonathan Ward, of Kings Chambers, analyse Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association [2026] UKSC 1, which restores the first-instance decision and curbs contractors’ termination rights for repeated late payment
Secondments, disciplinary procedures and appeal chaos all feature in a quartet of recent rulings. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, examines how established principles are being tested in modern disputes
The AI revolution is no longer a distant murmur—it’s at the client’s desk. Writing in NLJ this week, Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership and Legalito, warns that the ‘AI chickens’ have ‘come home to roost’, transforming not just legal practice but the lawyer–client relationship itself
A High Court ruling involving the Longleat estate has exposed the fault line between modern family building and historic trust drafting. Writing in NLJ this week, Charlotte Coyle, director and family law expert at Freeths, examines Cator v Thynn [2026] EWHC 209 (Ch), where trustees sought approval to modernise trusts that retain pre-1970 definitions of ‘child’, ‘grandchild’ and ‘issue’
Fresh proposals to criminalise ‘nudification’ apps, prioritise cyberflashing and non-consensual intimate images, and even ban under-16s from social media have reignited debate over whether the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is fit for purpose. Writing in NLJ this week, Alexander Brown, head of technology, media and telecommunications, and Alexandra Webster, managing associate, Simmons & Simmons, caution against reactive law-making that could undermine the Act’s ‘risk-based and outcomes-focused’ design
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