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Chaos & confusion reign in Westminster

05 September 2019
Issue: 7854 / Categories: Legal News , Brexit , Constitutional law
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Fears of a no-deal Brexit mounted this week during a tumultuous session in Parliament. 

The prime minister lost his majority and his first vote as backbench MPs seized control of the order paper and introduced the European Union (Withdrawal) (No 6) Bill.

Michael Zander QC, Emeritus Professor, LSE, said: ‘The purpose of the Bill is to prevent a No Deal exit from the EU, though whether it would do that is not clear.’

The prime minister will opt for an election rather than ask for a Brexit extension, if the Bill passes, but needs the agreement of two-thirds of MPs to do so.

Writing in NLJ this week, Zander said: ‘At the time of writing there was a further question—would the Bill have Queen’s Consent? This is required for any bill that affects the royal prerogative. Queen’s Consent is required to be signified after the third reading in the House of Commons. It is given by a minister after authority has been obtained from the Queen on application by a Privy Counsellor.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Writing in NLJ this week, Thomas Rothwell and Kavish Shah of Falcon Chambers unpack the surprise inclusion of a ban on upwards-only rent reviews in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
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