header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
19 July 2018 / Charles Pigott
Issue: 7802 / Categories: Features , Brexit
printer mail-detail

Making a new UK

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
nlj_7802_pigott

Legislating for Brexit: Charles Pigott provides a brief overview of the EU Withdrawal Act

  • Charts the progression of each stage of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
  • It remains unclear what the UK’s future relationship with the EU will look like.

The first substantive Brexit Act—the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EU(W)A 2018)—received royal assent on 26 June 2018. Although it may need some adjustment as negotiations with the EU progress, EU(W)A 2018 will continue to provide the structural repairs needed keep the UK’s legal edifice standing after it leaves the EU.

There is a great deal of detail buried in its 100 or so pages, but the basic architecture of EU(W)A 2018 is fairly easy to discern. It follows a logical progression, outlined below, which has not changed significantly since it was introduced to the Commons last year.

Stage 1

Repeal the European Communities Act 1972

Section 1 of the EU(W)A 2018 provides: ‘The European Communities Act 1972 (ECA 1972) is repealed on exit day.’ Depending on one’s perspective, this short sentence

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
Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Muckle LLP—Roland Fairlamb

Specialist associate solicitor rejoins Muckle’s leading employment team

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: Property cases reshape established principles
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
NLJ this week: Stress ruling raises the bar for employers
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
NLJ this week: Can Manchesterism revive access to justice?
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
NLJ this week: Constitutional conventions tested as power changes hands
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
NLJ this week: Lawyers must become product designers
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll