Exiting the European Union

Exiting the European Union:
research and analysis on crime, justice and the law

What are the implications of leaving the EU on crime, justice and the law in the UK? This article lists the available official research and analysis on the impact of Brexit.

Brexit: crime, justice and the law

This article details research and analysis from parliament's libraries and committees on the impact of Brexit on crime, justice and the law in the UK:

Law enforcement and criminal justice
Legal and constitutional issues
Equalities and human rights
Data protection
Further reading

Law enforcement and criminal justice

European documents relating to the Schengen Information System Commons Library research briefing, 15 December 2017

Overview of proposed regulations to improve counter-terrorism efforts across the EU and the UK's participation in these regulations.¹

Brexit: judicial oversight of the European Arrest Warrant

EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee report, 27 July 2017

Raises concern about the prospect of a ‘cliffedge’ in extradition arrangements after the European Arrest Warrant ceases to apply.²

Brexit: implications for policing and criminal justice cooperation

Commons Library research briefing, 24 February 2017

Looks at implications of Brexit on mutual recognition, EU agencies, information sharing, substantive criminal law and criminal procedure.³

Exiting the EU and security, law enforcement and criminal justice

Commons Library research briefing, 17 January 2017 Information produced ahead of the general debate on exiting the EU and security, law enforcement and criminal justice.›

Brexit: future UK–EU security and police cooperation

EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee report, 16 December 2016 Examines agencies supporting security and police cooperation between the UK and EU, and options for retaining or replacing them.

Legal and constitutional issues

Getting divorced if there is a no-deal Brexit

Commons Library briefing paper, 9 October 2019 This briefing paper considers how getting divorced might be affected by a no-deal Brexit and deals with the position in England and Wales except where stated otherwise. It does not deal with related family law matters relating to children and the payment of maintenance.

Brexit questions in national and EU courts

Commons Library research briefing, 24 September 2019 It has been predicted that Brexit issues will give rise to many legal actions in UK and other member states' courts, and the Court of Justice of the EU. While there have not yet been a great many, several cases have been brought by UK citizens living in other EU member states, while other cases have been interesting for their implications for the UK's future relations with the EU. This paper looks at issues that have been the subject of legal action in UK and EU courts.

Provision of legal services after the UK leaves the EU

Commons Library research briefing, 16 November 2018 Overview of implications for the legal sector of 'no deal' Brexit and recommendations from the Legal and Constitutional Affairs APPG.

Dispute resolution and enforcement after Brexit

EU Justice Sub-Committee report, 3 May 2018 Calls on the government to propose an effective system for dispute resolution and enforcement.

European withdrawal: Transitional provisions and dispute resolution

European Scrutiny Committee report, 20 March 2018 Examines scrutiny of EU legislation during the implementation period and other legal concerns arising from the Brexit negotiations.¹

Brexit: civil judicial cooperation

Commons Library research briefing, 5 October 2017 Considers cross-border civil judicial cooperation post-Brexit and the UK's plans for a new agreement mirrored on existing provisions.¹¹

Implications of Brexit for the justice system

Justice Committee report, 22 March 2017 Recommends that the Government addresses four priorities for the justice system in negotiating UK's new relationship with the EU.¹²

Brexit: justice for families, individuals and businesses?

EU Justice Sub-Committee report, 20 March 2017 Examines what alternative plans the Government has to replace the loss of EU regulations governing cooperation in civil and family law.¹³

Brexit: the Brussels IIa regulation

Commons Library research briefing, 11 November 2016 Considers the effect of Brexit in terms of the Brussels IIa regulation concerning cross-border child contact cases and child abduction.¹›

Brexit: some legal, constitutional and financial unknowns

Commons Library research briefing, 9 November 2016 Explores 'unknowns' around the role of Parliament and devolved legislatures, EU institutions, the economic impact and citizens' rights.¹›

Legal and constitutional issues and alternatives to EU membership

Commons Library research briefing, 28 July 2016 Considers how the UK will leave the EU, some legal and constitutional issues, and possible alternatives to EU membership.¹›

Brexit and the EU Court

Commons Library research briefing, 14 November 2016 Reviews the High Court ruling on prerogative power to trigger Article 50.¹

Equalities and human rights

Human Rights Protections in International Agreements

Joint Committee on Human Rights report, 12 March 2019 Says a new approach is needed so that the UK ensures high human rights standards in all international agreements made post-Brexit.¹

Disability in the UK: rights and policy

Lords Library research briefing, 21 June 2018 Overview of the legal framework governing disabled people's rights in the UK and possible implications of Brexit for disabled people.¹

The EU (Withdrawal) Bill: A Right by Right Analysis

Joint Committee on Human Rights report, 26 January 2018. Examines the implications of excluding the Charter of Fundamental Rights from domestic law after exit day.²

Ensuring strong equalities legislation after the EU exit

Women and Equalities Committee report, 28 February 2017 Says the Brexit process offers an opportunity to embed equality into law and policy in the UK.²¹

The human rights implications of Brexit

Joint Committee on Human Rights report, 19 December 2016 Says the government must not use fundamental rights as a bargaining chip and calls for protection of residency rights.²²

Human rights priorities in the light of Brexit

Lords Library research briefing, 7 December 2017 Examines some of the overarching human rights issues relating to Brexit and the EU Withdrawal Bill.²³

Data protection

The progress of the UK's negotiations on EU withdrawal: Data

Exiting the European Union Committee report, 3 July 2018 Calls on the government to start the process to secure a Data Adequacy Decision from the EU as soon as possible.²

Data Protection Bill 2017–19: Committee Stage Report

Commons Library research briefing, 13 April 2018 Examines controversial provisions on immigration control and other subjects that prompted lengthy debate by the Public Bill Committee.²

Commons Library analysis of the Data Protection Bill 2017–19

Commons Library research briefing, 1 March 2018 Overview of the Bill, which aims to ensure that the UK would be able to freely exchange data with the EU post-Brexit.²

Brexit and data protection

Commons Library research briefing, updated 10 October 2017 Looks at the reform of EU data protection law and what might happen after Brexit.²

Brexit: the EU data protection package

EU Home Affairs Sub-Committee report, 18 July 2017 Examines the overhaul of the EU's data protection standards and the implications for data transfers between the UK and the EU.²