Retained EU law refers to the body of EU law that continues to apply in the UK following its withdrawal from the European Union. When the UK left the EU on January 31, 2020, the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 came into force, which converted all existing EU law into UK law on the day of Brexit. This means that the body of EU law that was in force in the UK on December 31, 2020, is now part of UK domestic law.
Retained EU law includes a wide range of legislation, including EU directives, EU regulations, and EU treaties. The purpose of retaining EU law is to ensure that there is continuity and stability in the legal framework governing many areas of life in the UK, such as employment law, environmental law, and consumer protection.
Retained EU law can be amended or repealed by the UK Parliament, but any changes must be consistent with the terms of the Brexit withdrawal agreement and must not breach the UK's international obligations.
You can learn more about this topic with our EU Law, Public Law and Constitutional Law notes.
