Brexit White Paper is published

 

The UK Government has published its Brexit plans in a White Paper, The United Kingdom’s exit from, and new partnership with, the European Union.

James Mure, QC, Convenor of the Faculty of Advocates’ International Committee, said: “The Faculty notes with interest the publication of the White Paper. It fleshes out the themes rehearsed by the Prime Minister in her speech on 17 January.  It makes clear that the UK Government will not make any attempt to ‘remain in the EU by the back door’, and that therefore the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the EU must end. 

“The White Paper notes that the Joint Ministerial Committee on EU Negotiations has agreed to undertake bilateral discussions at official level on the Scottish Government’s proposals for a ‘differentiated solution’ for Scotland, as set out in the Scottish Government’s paper, Scotland’s Place in Europe.  The purpose at this stage is said to be to fully understand the priorities of the devolved administrations. 

“The Paper also points to the further devolution of powers in areas not reserved to Westminster but hitherto largely governed by EU law, such as agriculture and the environment.  Committing itself to maintaining common standards and frameworks for the UK market, the White Paper speaks of a ‘guiding principle’ to ensure that no new barriers to living and doing business within the UK are created.

“In the months to come, the Faculty will continue to contribute to the important debate on how the UK’s exit from the EU will affect Scotland, its laws and its people.”

The White Paper is at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-united-kingdoms-exit-from-and-new-partnership-with-the-european-union-white-paper