Brexit (9) - Legal and Constitutional Requirements

Following the result of the EU referendum held on 23rd June, the country is about to embark on a process of leaving the EU. In these difficult moments, it is crucial that this process is in accordance with legal and constitutional requirements. The constitutional framework governing Brexit needs to be laid out clearly, and with precision, for the benefit of both the people and government officials.

The UCL Faculty of Laws hosted a public event on the constitutional implications of Brexit.  The session may be viewed via Youtube - Brexit: Legal and Constitutional requirements

Constitutional and European law experts from UCL discussed what the legal constraints are on the process of leaving the European Union, and how they might influence the process of negotiations and the UK’s future relations with the EU.

Questions that were addressed included:

• Is Parliamentary approval needed for triggering article 50?
• What role should Parliament have in the Brexit process?
• Can and should there be exit negotiations with the EU before the triggering of article 50?
• What are the possible options after article 50 has been triggered? Can the notice of withdrawal be withdrawn?
• What are the options for future relations with the EU?
• How will Brexit affect areas of UK law that have been heavily dependent on EU law?
• How will Brexit affect the constitutional dimension of devolution?

Introduced by Professor Dame Hazel Genn DBE QC (Hon), Dean of UCL Laws and Chaired by Joshua Rozenberg, Legal Commentator and Journalist.

Speakers included:

• Professor Piet Eeckhout (UCL Laws), Professor of EU Law
• Dr Tom Hickman (UCL Laws), Reader in Public Law
• Professor Jeff King (UCL Laws), Professor of Law
• Professor George Letsas (UCL Laws), Professor of the Philosophy of Law
• Dr Virginia Mantouvalou (UCL Laws), Reader in Labour Law & Human Rights
• Dr Ronan McCrea (UCL Laws), Senior Lecturer in EU and Constitutional Law

This event was generously supported by UCL’s Global Engagement Office

*** Previous in this series ***

It is Brexit (1) - The overall vote was to leave the EU

It is Brexit (2) - A short note on developments since Thursday 23rd June

It is Brexit (3) - The role of Parliament under Article 50

It is Brexit (4) - Legal consequences

It is Brexit (5) - European Council 28th June 2016 (with UK) and 29th (without UK)

It is Brexit (6) - Parliamentary material

It is Brexit (7) - Role of Parliament in Brexit decision and notification to EU

It is Brexit (8) - Points of interest

: Posts in EU referendum series :

20th February - Brexit ~ referendum ~ a few points - including link to the deal secured by the Prime Minister

UK and the EU (1) - History and Background

UK and the EU (2) - The EU Treaties - key points

UK and the EU (3) - The Parliament, the Commission and the Court

UK and the EU (4) - Freedom of movement of persons

UK and the EU (5) - Referendum - People need facts not slogans (Lord King)

UK and the EU (6) -Will Brexit be a simple process?

UK and the EU (7) -Your Rights

UK and the EU (8) - Trading bloc or emergent State

UK and the EU (9) - A monumental referendum - information to assist

UK and the EU (10) - What if it is Brexit 

UK and the EU (11) - The event horizon approaches - What if it is Brexit

UK and the EU (12) - Final post of this series