Michael Zander KC reports on the Retained EU Law (Revocation & Reform) Bill
- The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, in its current form, provides for ministers to revoke or modify non-statutory retained EU law.
- It contains a sunset provision of 31 December 2023 (which can be postponed, but not beyond 23 June 2026).
- There are concerns as to whether government departments will be able to consider 2,400 legislative provisions before the end of next year.
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill had its second reading in the Commons on 25 October—the day that Rishi Sunak became prime minister, and the day too that Jacob Rees-Mogg, the minister in charge of the Bill, resigned.
‘Retained’ EU law (REUL) was the way Theresa May’s European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 dealt with EU law post-Brexit. It was to continue with statutory effect unless and until amended or repealed by legislation.
The current Bill provides for ministers to revoke or modify non-statutory REUL through secondary legislation. In most cases, the statutory instruments would
