The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill (Reul) received its third reading in the Lords on Monday 22 May. The Bill seeks to revoke the legislation detailed in Schedule 1 of the Bill or, to vary it by revoking part, by the end of 2023. The general sunset provisions aimed to remove all legislation was removed by an amendment on 10 May 2023 and replaced by the list of around 600 pieces of secondary and EU Legislation.

We have already seen significant comment in the press recently that the scale of aspiration should be curtailed significantly. The effect of the amendment is to provide more certainty as to which regulations will be removed.

Reul, as presently amended, provides that the legislation in question must have been referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses and 30 days have elapsed not including adjournments, dissolution or proroguement of either House of Parliament.

If the Join Committee believe any revocation represents a substantial change to the UK Law then the revocation must be debated in each House and voted on before the end of 2023.

If the revocation or changes are not approved by both Houses before the end of 2023 then it will be retained in its present state.

Kerri Badenoch has commented that the removal of the sunset deadline leaves officials able “to free up focus on more reform Reul”, and do it faster and “getting rid of the EU Law in the UK should be more than a race to a deadline”

How Capsticks can help

There is still a significant amount to achieve over a really tight timescale. We will review the progress of Reul and keep you updated in regards to any considerations you should make.

If you have any queries around what's discussed in this article, please speak to Tiffany Cloynes.