The ‘Retained EU Law’ Act: Practitioners’ Workshop

Events / Workshops

The ‘Retained EU Law’ Act: Practitioners’ Workshop

30 Jun 2023

Gain a competitive edge in today’s evolving legislative landscape. Join our exclusive training webinar on the parliamentary process for implementation of changes to Retained EU Law (REUL). Equip you and your team with invaluable insights to navigate this complex legislation seamlessly. Understand its implications, anticipate the challenges and harness the opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to say ahead of the game and maximise your influence.

[CLOSED] 30 June, 12:30pm-2:00pm Online (Zoom)

About this workshop

The controversial Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill has secured Royal Assent and is now an Act of Parliament. Our online training workshop on the parliamentary process for implementation of changes to REUL is designed to equip campaign, legal and public affairs professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate this legislation successfully.

What will you learn?

The workshop will cover:

how the legislative changes to REUL will be delivered in both Houses of Parliament, including the sifting and scrutiny process for Statutory Instruments;
timing issues: what must happen before the end of October 2023, what may happen afterwards and why this matters;
Legislative Reform Orders (LROs): what they are and how they work;
the opportunities to engage with and influence the parliamentary process; and
how to monitor the progress of REUL reform in your sector.

Format and agenda

This is an interactive online workshop hosted on Zoom. It will be based around a presentation on the core themes highlighted above. There will be an opportunity for questions throughout.

Why will training on the parliamentary process help you?

Understanding the parliamentary process in the UK is crucial for effective engagement with policy makers. By comprehending the intricacies of legislative procedures, you can:

navigate the legislative process with confidence;
identify opportunities for intervention;
strategically position your organisation to shape policy outcomes in the best interests of your stakeholders;
engage at the right time in proactive advocacy, ensuring your organisation’s concerns are safeguarded and advanced effectively; and
anticipate and respond to potential challenges and obstacles.

Staying abreast of the parliamentary process also enhances your professional credibility and positions you as a trusted adviser within your own organisation. It demonstrates a commitment to excellence and ensures your organisation is well prepared to adapt to legislative changes and seize opportunities.

Training like this is also a great way to support your staff’s personal development programme. Investing in a culture of learning by enhancing your team’s knowledge and skills is a key factor in staff retention.

Why the Hansard Society?

The Hansard Society is the leading authority on Parliament. For over a decade our experts have spearheaded new research into the complex system of delegated legislation that underpins most of the law and regulations made in the UK.

In 2014 we published the first major study of the topic in decades. That study is now used in the induction of new staff working on delegated legislation at Westminster and in some of the devolved legislatures. We currently have a cross-party Delegated Legislation Review working to propose reforms to address the complex constitutional and procedural challenges associated with this form of legislation.

Don’t just take our word for it

“Last Thursday, I tuned in to a Zoom call organised by the noble Lord, Lord Anderson, and listened to Ruth Fox of the Hansard Society. Her verdict in a nutshell was that the powers in the Bill transfer future democratic oversight of any changes to REUL away from Parliament.” — Lord Young of Cookham, 6 February 2023

“Our report draws on ideas raised in a helpful webinar hosted on 12 October 2022 by the Hansard Society and featuring Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC, Dr Ruth Fox and Sir Jonathan Jones KCB KC.” — House of Lords Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee, 25th Report, Retained EU law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, 2 February 2023

“Given that Brexit was all about this place taking back control, why are the Government using so many Henry VIII clauses and awarding themselves other delegated powers in the Brexit legislation that they are passing? Is it not about time that we had a proper review of how delegated legislation works, along the lines recently proposed by the Hansard Society?” — Patrick Grady MP (SNP), 16 March 2023

Who is leading the session?

Dr Ruth Fox

Ruth is the Director of the Hansard Society. Her research focuses on parliamentary strengthening and constitutional reform. She is the co-author of ‘The Devil is in the Detail: Parliament and Delegated Legislation’, the first detailed study of the parliamentary scrutiny of delegated legislation for decades. In 2019-20 she was the co-commentator, alongside the BBC's Parliamentary Correspondent Mark D'Arcy, throughout BBC Parliament's coverage of the major Brexit votes and the prorogation of Parliament. She regularly gives evidence to parliamentary select committees and inquiries, and contributes to a wide range of current affairs programmes on radio and television, commentating on the parliamentary process and political reform.

Terms and conditions

Since a recording of this workshop will be made available for participants for one month after the event, refunds for cancellations will not be available for this event.

Latest / Highlights

News / Will Parliament pay a price for promises to WASPI women? - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 61

As Christmas approaches, Westminster eases into its pre-festive lull. Yet, a major political storm clouds the year’s end: the fallout from the Government’s decision not to compensate the WASPI women. This controversy highlights a recurring dilemma in politics—the risks of opposition parties over-promising and the inevitable backlash when those promises confront the harsh realities of governing. And as a seasonal stocking filler, Ruth and Mark talk to the authors of two fascinating books that uncover hidden aspects of parliamentary history.

News / Parliament Matters Bulletin: What's coming up in Parliament this week? 16-20 December 2024

MPs will review five bills, including the Water (Special Measures) Bill, and debate two e-petitions on Israel and Palestine, including one on halting arms exports to Israel which may raise sub judice concerns. Six Select Committees will see membership changes following front bench reshuffles, and Peers will consider proposals for four new inquiry committees for 2025. The Defence Committee Chair will raise concerns about poor service accommodation, while Angela Rayner, Yvette Cooper, Shabana Mahmood, Wes Streeting and Michael Gove face Select Committees.

Briefings / The Assisted Dying Bill: A guide to the Private Member's Bill process

This briefing explains what to watch for during the Second Reading debate of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on 29 November. It outlines the procedural and legislative issues that will come into play: the role of the Chair in managing the debate and how procedures such as the 'closure' and 'reasoned amendments' work. It looks ahead to the Committee and Report stage procedures that will apply if the Bill progresses beyond Second Reading. It also examines the government's responsibilities, such as providing a money resolution for the Bill and preparing an Impact Assessment, while addressing broader concerns about the adequacy of Private Members’ Bill procedures for scrutinising controversial issues.

News / Licence to scrutinise: spooks, hereditary peers and assisted dying - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 60

In this week’s episode the ‘assisted dying’ bill takes centre stage as the newly chosen members of the Public Bill Committee gear up for detailed scrutiny of the legislation. With 23 members, including two ministers, this committee promises a mix of seasoned voices and first-time MPs debating a very difficult issue. We are joined by Hansard Society researcher, Matthew England, who breaks down the committee’s composition, party balance, and the strategic dynamics that will influence the bill’s trajectory.

News / How a British student has schooled the US Congress - Parliament Matters podcast, Episode 58

In this special episode, we dive into the fascinating world of US congressional procedure with Hansard Society member Kacper Surdy, the once-anonymous force behind the influential social media account @ringwiss. Despite being a 20-year-old Durham University student, Kacper has become a go-to authority on Capitol Hill’s intricate rules, earning the admiration of seasoned political insiders. With Donald Trump hinting at bypassing Senate norms to appoint controversial figures to his cabinet, Kacper unravels the high stakes procedural battles shaping Washington.