The legal professions have been given ‘no information’ on the position of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) post-Brexit, the chair of the Bar has told MPs.
Giving evidence to the Justice Committee this week, Andrew Walker QC said the EAW was part of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) jurisdiction, therefore to replicate it, ‘we are asking the EU to have a new legal order without the ECJ being involved’.
Asked if losing the EAW would lead to less justice, more cost and more delay, Walker agreed. He said the UK faced the prospect of people not being brought to justice, criminals and terrorists fleeing across borders, the UK seizing criminals but not getting the information they needed, or not getting the information in time.
Pressed on the issue, Justice Minister Lucy Frazer QC said the EAW was a Home Office matter but acknowledged her department was responsible for matters related to it.
