Retained EU Law Bill
This session of the UK Trade and Business Commission analysed the EU Retained Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. As part of the session, the Commission interrogated the legislation and its implications - both in terms of business and trade and in terms of the UK’s constitution.
The Commission held two back to back panel discussions on the Bill - the first covering the effects of the legislation on business, and the second looking at the legal and democratic implications of the legislation.
There has been significant criticism of the Bill, and the Commission sought to delve deeper into some of the issues that have already been raised.
Witnesses across both sessions made clear that the legislation probably needs to be dropped - or at the very least that the sunset date for retained EU law must be extended. Witnesses were clear that the legislation originated from an ideological place and in many ways did not have practical thinking behind it. While witnesses generally accepted the need to begin examining EU laws as they are retained in UK law, they were clear that the method the Bill adopts of simply allowing laws to disappear is not the right way forward.
Simon Joyston-Bechal, Director, Turnstone Law
Simon Joyston-Bechal is the Director at Turnstone Law and is one of the UK’s leading health and safety lawyers. With over 25 years of experience as a solicitor, Simon specialises in regulatory defence. He previously qualified as a doctor and has a unique perspective to bring on technical, safety and health related legal issues.
Rosa Crawford, Policy Officer, TUC
Rosa Crawford is a Policy Officer at the TUC with a special focus on trade. She leads on international trade advocacy for the TUC, as well as on UK-EU and Brexit advocacy. Rosa is a member of a number of Department for International Trade advisory groups and represents the TUC on the European Trade Union Confederation international trade committee.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, British Chambers of Commerce
William Bain leads on the development of policy around UK-EU and UK-Rest of World trade. William has spoken at major conferences on the implications of Brexit for financial services and has also worked to advise clients on interconnected matters relating to Brexit, including the impact on financial services.
Neil Warwick, Partner, DAC Beachcroft LLP
Neil Warwick heads up the EU and Competition Law Team in the UK for DAC Beachcroft. With expertise in state aid and EU structural funding, Neil is highly knowledgeable on matters relating to Brexit and its legal implications. Neil has given evidence on Brexit to the House of Lords and House of Commons Select Committees and is also Policy Chair for Foreign Affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses.
George Peretz KC, specialist in European law
George Peretz KC is a specialist in European law and is part of the Bar Council’s working group on Retained EU Law. George is from Monckton Chambers and has written widely on Brexit-related legal issues, with articles in the Guardian and Prospect Magazine. He has also contributed to BBC Radio 4 documentaries on the subject.
Jill Rutter, Senior Research Fellow, UK in a Changing Europe
Jill Rutter is a Senior Research Fellow at UK in a Changing Europe. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government where she directed the organisation’s work on better policy making. She is an expert commentator on Brexit and has written at length on issues concerned with Government and the constitution.
