header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
15 October 2020 / Paul Henty
Issue: 7906 / Categories: Features , Brexit , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail

Brexit: towards the cliff edge?

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
29195
Paul Henty provides an update on Brexit negotiations with the possibility of a ‘no-deal’ scenario looming large

In brief

  • The UK’s current status.
  • The UK Internal Market Bill.
  • Legal action by the EU.
  • What does this mean for citizens and businesses?

The aim of this piece is quite ambitious: to give an up to date assessment of the state of play in Brexit negotiations, assess the prospects of a trade deal being reached between the UK and EU before the end of the Transition Period and assess the potential impact on businesses if such a deal is not reached.

The UK’s current status

The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. While that date had undeniable significance, many of the effects of Brexit were cushioned by the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement (WA), which came into force on 31 December 2019.

Articles 126–132 of the WA provided for a transition period (https://bit.ly/36Jlvzd), which will continue in force until 31 December 2020 (Transition Period). While

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
Winckworth Sherwood—Charlotte Coleman & Qaisar Sheikh

Winckworth Sherwood—Charlotte Coleman & Qaisar Sheikh

Two promoted to partner in property litigation and education teams

Dorsey & Whitney LLP—Peter Knust

Dorsey & Whitney LLP—Peter Knust

Cross-border finance and restructuring specialist joins as of counsel in London

Powell Gilbert—Callum Beamish-Lacey

Powell Gilbert—Callum Beamish-Lacey

IP firm promotes litigator to partnership

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: Mazur and more—inside the litigation frontline

From blockbuster judgments to procedural shake-ups, the courts are busy reshaping litigation practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School hails the Court of Appeal's 'exquisite judgment’ in Mazur restoring the role of supervised non-qualified staff, and highlights a ‘mammoth’ damages ruling likened to War and Peace, alongside guidance on medical reporting fees, where a pragmatic 25% uplift was imposed

NLJ this week: Social media bans for children spark legal dilemmas
Momentum is building behind proposals to restrict children’s access to social media—but the legal and practical challenges are formidable. In NLJ this week, Nick Smallwood of Mills & Reeve examines global moves, including Australia’s under-16 ban and the UK's consultation
NLJ this week: Leasehold reform risks creating ‘forgotten freeholders’
Reforms designed to rebalance landlord-tenant relations may instead penalise leaseholders themselves. In this week's NLJ, Mike Somekh of The Freehold Collective warns that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 risks creating an ‘underclass’ of resident-controlled freehold companies
NLJ this week: Court of Appeal clarifies when a claim truly begins
Timing is everything—and the Court of Appeal has delivered clarity on when proceedings are ‘brought’. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains that a claim is issued for limitation purposes when the claim form is delivered to the court, even if fees are underpaid
NLJ this week: Split FDRs could ease pressure—and boost settlements
The traditional ‘single, intensive day’ of financial dispute resolution (FDR) may be due for a rethink. Writing in NLJ this week, Rachel Frost-Smith and Lauren Guiler of Birketts propose a ‘split FDR’ model, separating judicial evaluation from negotiation
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll