It was today announced that, on 23 June 2016, the British public voted in favour of a so-called “Brexit”, or exit from the European Union (“EU”). Whilst the result of the referendum is not legally binding on the UK Government it is politically so and, furthermore, the governing Conservative Party promised that the referendum would be binding in their manifesto. Mechanics of leaving the EU The vote in favour of Brexit means that, at some…
With registration for voting in the EU Referendum extended until midnight on 9 June 2016, and only two weeks until the date of the vote, it is more important than ever to begin considering the what impacts of remaining in the EU or leaving will be for you and your business. For a list of issues that businesses should consider, please see our previous update here, and for a more specific overview of considerations from an…
With the UK referendum on a so-called “Brexit” set to take place in under two months, businesses should start considering what effect leaving the European Union (“EU“) will have for them. In our previous Blog post we set out general considerations for businesses in the lead-up to the referendum on 23 June 2016, which would help them establish whether or not the UK’s membership of the EU is an overall benefit to them or not.
If the UK left the EU, things will change, at least in the short term. It is a safe assumption that the European Communities Act 1972 (“ECA“) will be repealed, but what this means in practice is far from certain.
For businesses with a focus on customs and export controls, and businesses which frequently encounter sanctions issues as part of their day-to-day trade, we have compiled a more focused list of questions, to which consideration should be given when determining whether or not to remain in the EU, and what to do in the event of a Brexit.
The referendum to be held on 23 June 2016 will offer UK voters the choice of (i) remaining in the EU, or (ii) leaving, a so-called “Brexit”. The referendum is shrouded by uncertainty, both as to the result, and what might happen if a Brexit vote does in fact happen. Businesses themselves have little or no role or influence in the vote, but if a Brexit vote does happen, businesses can and should have a significant role in what comes next. In the period of uncertainty that will inevitably follow a Brexit vote, businesses with clear and reasoned views as to what should happen next will be listened to by the UK Government and Civil Service.