The European Communities Act 1972 (ECA) accepted the supremacy of EU law in the UK. The principle of supremacy says that EU law prevails if it conflicts with national law.
The Great Repeal Bill is legislation which will be introduced in the UK to end the supremacy of EU law in the UK.
On the day that the UK officially leaves the EU the European Communities Act 1972 will be repealed and all EU laws currently in force will be converted into UK law.
A White Paper: Legislating for the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, David Davis, on 30 March 2017.
The paper outlines the approach the UK Government will take in order to replace EU laws by equivalent UK laws.
In his statement to Parliament David Davis said
We have been clear that we want a smooth and orderly exit – and the Great Repeal Bill is integral to that approach. It will provide clarity and certainty for businesses, workers and consumers across the United Kingdom on the day we leave the EU.
The complete statement is available at
Other References
European Communities Act 1972
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1972/68/contents
European Union Act 2011
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/12/contents
How the EU works: EU law and the UK
https://fullfact.org/europe/eu-law-and-uk/
EU Law Terminology:
Direct Effect
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/direct-effect
Regulations
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/regulations
Directives
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/directives
Treaty Provisions
https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/observatories/eurwork/industrial-relations-dictionary/treaty-provisions
