Brexit: Legal & Constitutional Requirements

About this event

Following the result of the referendum, 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. 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 Can the notice of withdrawal be withdrawn?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?

Introduction by Professor Dame Hazel Genn DBE QC (Hon), Dean of UCL Laws

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 has been generously supported by
UCL’s Global Engagement Office

 Blog: Nick Barber, Tom Hickman and Jeff King: Pulling the Article 50 ‘Trigger’: Parliament’s Indispensable Role

Blog: Virginia Mantouvalou: EU Citizens as Bargaining Chips

Student blog: UCL Laws Event: “Brexit: Legal & Constitutional Requirements” (13 July 2016)