Brexit, retained EU law and assimilated law

This subtopic contains materials, commentary and analysis on the implications for Employment lawyers of the UK's withdrawal from the EU and how legal rights and obligations were affected, as well as the subsequent further changes made by the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (REUL(RR)A 2023).

From exit day (31 January 2020), the UK ceased to be an EU Member State but, in accordance with the transitional arrangements provided in the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK was in an implementation period (IP) until 31 December 2020, known as ‘IP completion day’. During this period, the UK continued to be treated by the EU as a Member State for many purposes. While it could not participate in the political institutions and governance structures of the EU, the UK had to continue to adhere to its obligations under EU law (including EU treaties, legislation, principles and international agreements) and submit to the continuing jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU or ECJ).

The repeal of the European Communities Act 1972 (ECA 1972), effective on exit day, was

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