UK Act of Parliament 2020 United Kingdom

European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020

An Act to implement, and make other provision in connection with, the agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on European Union which sets out the arrangements for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU.

Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk (opens in a new tab)
Enforcement
No single statutory enforcer
Status
In Force
Penalty ceiling
Regulated

Constitutional statute ratifying the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement and providing the domestic legal basis for the transition period and citizens' rights framework. It creates no ongoing business obligations enforceable by a regulatory body. Any disputes about citizens' rights or treaty provisions are rooted in the Withdrawal Agreement itself, interpreted by domestic courts. No business-facing regulator enforces this Act.

Does it bind you?

Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.

Plus 4 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.

What it requires

Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.

Part 1

Implementation period

0 of 4 sections shown
4 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001 Saving of ECA for implementation period (opens in a new tab)
s.002 Additional saving for implementation period (opens in a new tab)
s.003 Supplementary power in connection with implementation period (opens in a new tab)
s.004 Powers corresponding to section 3 involving devolved authorities (opens in a new tab)
Part 2

Remaining implementation of withdrawal agreement etc: general

0 of 2 sections shown
2 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.005 General implementation of remainder of withdrawal agreement (opens in a new tab)
s.006 General implementation of related EEA EFTA and Swiss agreements (opens in a new tab)
Part 3

Citizens' rights

0 of 11 sections shown
11 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.007 Rights related to residence: application deadline and temporary protection (opens in a new tab)
s.008 Frontier workers (opens in a new tab)
s.009 Restrictions of rights of entry and residence (opens in a new tab)
s.010 Retention of existing grounds for deportation (opens in a new tab)
s.011 Appeals etc. against citizens' rights immigration decisions (opens in a new tab)
s.012 Recognition of professional qualifications (opens in a new tab)
s.013 Co-ordination of social security systems (opens in a new tab)
s.014 Non-discrimination, equal treatment and rights of workers etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.015 Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (opens in a new tab)
s.016 Regulations: supplementary (opens in a new tab)
s.017 Interpretation: Part 3 (opens in a new tab)
Part 4

Other subject areas

0 of 20 sections shown
20 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.018 Main power in connection with other separation issues (opens in a new tab)
s.019 Powers corresponding to section 18 involving devolved authorities (opens in a new tab)
s.020 Financial provision (opens in a new tab)
s.021 Main power in connection with Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol (opens in a new tab)
s.022 Powers corresponding to section 21 involving devolved authorities (opens in a new tab)
s.023 Protection for certain rights, safeguards etc. in Belfast Agreement (opens in a new tab)
s.024 No alteration of North-South co-operation (opens in a new tab)
s.025 Retention of saved EU law at end of implementation period (opens in a new tab)
s.026 Interpretation of retained EU law and relevant separation agreement law (opens in a new tab)
s.027 Dealing with deficiencies in retained EU law (opens in a new tab)
s.028 Ancillary fee-charging powers (opens in a new tab)
s.029 Review of EU legislation during implementation period (opens in a new tab)
s.030 Certain dispute procedures under withdrawal agreement (opens in a new tab)
s.031 Repeal of section 13 of EUWA 2018 (opens in a new tab)
s.032 Requirements in Part 2 of CRAGA (opens in a new tab)
s.033 Prohibition on extending implementation period (opens in a new tab)
s.034 Ministerial co-chairs of the Joint Committee (opens in a new tab)
s.035 No use of written procedure in the Joint Committee (opens in a new tab)
s.036 Repeal of unnecessary or spent enactments (opens in a new tab)
s.037 Arrangements with EU about unaccompanied children seeking asylum (opens in a new tab)
Part 5

General and final provision

0 of 6 sections shown
6 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.038 Parliamentary sovereignty and the constitutional status of Northern Ireland (opens in a new tab)
s.038 Prohibition of certain Northern Ireland-related agreements
s.039 Interpretation (opens in a new tab)
s.040 Regulations (opens in a new tab)
s.041 Consequential and transitional provision etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.042 Extent, commencement and short title (opens in a new tab)
Schedules

Schedules

4 of 147 shown
s.sch002 (1) The IMA must— (a) keep proper accounts and proper... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IMA must keep proper accounts and prepare annual statementsCrown / Minister / Government department
s.sch002 (1) The IMA— (a) must prepare, for each financial year,... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IMA must prepare and send annual plan to the Secretary of StateStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) The IMA must provide annual reports on the implementation... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • IMA must provide annual reports on citizens' rights implementationStatutory regulator
s.sch002 (1) A relevant public authority must not disclose information to... Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
  • Public authorities must not disclose information to the IMA on national security certificationCrown / Minister / Government department
143 other schedules
s.003 Protection for certain rights, safeguards etc. in Belfast Agreement (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001 Powers of devolved authorities under sections 12, 13 and 14 (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001 No provision may be made by a devolved authority acting...
s.sch001 A provision is within the devolved competence of the Scottish...
s.sch001 A provision is within the devolved competence of the Welsh...
s.sch001 A provision is within the devolved competence of a Northern...
s.sch001 (1) The consent of a Minister of the Crown is...
s.sch001 (1) No regulations may be made under section 12, 13...
s.sch001 (1) No regulations may be made under section 12, 13...
s.sch001 In this Schedule “Northern Ireland devolved authority” means—
s.sch002 Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens' Rights Agreements (opens in a new tab)
s.sch002 (1) The IMA is not to be regarded—
s.sch002 (1) The IMA may authorise a committee, member or employee...
s.sch002 (1) The application of the IMA's seal must be authenticated...
s.sch002 The Secretary of State must pay to the IMA such...
s.sch002 In exercising functions in respect of the IMA, the Secretary...
s.sch002 In Part 2 of the Table in paragraph 3 of...
s.sch002 In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments...
s.sch002 In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the House of...
s.sch002 In Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA is to consist of the following members—...
s.sch002 In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...
s.sch002 In Part 1 of Schedule 19 to the Equality Act...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA must monitor the implementation and application in...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA must promote the adequate and effective implementation...
s.sch002 In exercising its functions, the IMA must have regard to...
s.sch002 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), the IMA may carry out...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA must publish its intention to carry out...
s.sch002 (1) When the IMA has carried out an inquiry under...
s.sch002 (1) Where a report under paragraph 27 includes recommendations to...
s.sch002 (1) A person who claims to have a relevant right...
s.sch002 (1) The Secretary of State may appoint a person to...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA may, if it considers it appropriate to...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA must publish guidance on how it will...
s.sch002 The IMA is to exercise any function in relation to...
s.sch002 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the IMA may do anything...
s.sch002 A relevant public authority must, so far as reasonably practicable,...
s.sch002 (1) Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (or anyone acting on...
s.sch002 Nothing in this Schedule authorises the making of a disclosure...
s.sch002 (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations—
s.sch002 (1) In making appointments, the Secretary of State and the...
s.sch002 (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations—
s.sch002 (1) In this Schedule— “civil servant” means a person employed...
s.sch002 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to the appointment of...
s.sch002 (1) A person holds and vacates office as a non-executive...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA must pay its non-executive members such remuneration...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA may— (a) appoint employees (in addition to...
s.sch002 (1) The IMA may regulate its own procedure, subject to...
s.sch003 The Northern Ireland Act 1998 is amended as follows.
s.sch003 In section 6(2) (legislative competence), after paragraph (c), insert—
s.sch003 In section 24(1) (restrictions on powers of Northern Ireland Ministers...
s.sch003 In section 69 (functions of the Northern Ireland Human Rights...
s.sch003 In section 71 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (restrictions...
s.sch003 In section 74 (principal functions of the Equality Commission for...
s.sch003 After section 78 insert— Protections deriving from EU withdrawal agreement...
s.sch003 In Schedule 3 (reserved matters), in paragraph 42, after paragraph...
s.sch004 Regulations under this Act (opens in a new tab)
s.sch004 (1) A statutory instrument containing— (a) the first regulations under...
s.sch004 (1) Regulations made by the Scottish Ministers under paragraph 3(2)...
s.sch004 (1) Any power to make regulations under this Act—
s.sch004 Any power to make regulations under this Act—
s.sch004 The fact that a power to make regulations is conferred...
s.sch004 Any power to make regulations under this Act in relation...
s.sch004 The power of a Minister of the Crown under section...
s.sch004 If an instrument, or a draft of an instrument, containing...
s.sch004 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies to a statutory instrument containing regulations...
s.sch004 (1) A statutory instrument containing the first regulations under section...
s.sch004 (1) A statutory instrument containing regulations under section 12, 13...
s.sch004 (1) This paragraph applies to regulations under section 12, 13...
s.sch004 A statutory instrument containing regulations under section 39(4) is subject...
s.sch004 A statutory instrument containing regulations under section 41(1) is subject...
s.sch004 A statutory instrument containing regulations under paragraph 39 or 40...
s.sch004 (1) A statutory instrument containing regulations made by a Minister...
s.sch004 (1) This paragraph applies to regulations under paragraph 1(3) of...
s.sch005 Consequential and transitional provision etc. (opens in a new tab)
s.sch005 (1) Any provision in subordinate legislation made before exit day...
s.sch005 In section 21(1) (meaning of “subordinate legislation”) for “exit day...
s.sch005 In section 23ZA(4)(a)(ii) (retained direct EU legislation) for “exit day”...
s.sch005 In Schedule 1 (words and expressions defined), under the italic...
s.sch005 The European Economic Area Act 1993 is amended as follows....
s.sch005 In section 2 (consistent application of law to the whole...
s.sch005 In section 3 (general implementation of the EEA agreement), in...
s.sch005 In section 6(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “the 1972...
s.sch005 The Scotland Act 1998 is amended as follows.
s.sch005 In section 30A(2) (legislative competence: restriction relating to retained EU...
s.sch005 In section 57(5)(b) (exception to section 57(4)) for “Schedule 2...
s.sch005 (1) No provision may be made by a devolved authority...
s.sch005 (1) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 (enactments etc. protected from...
s.sch005 In Part 2 of Schedule 5 (specific reservations), in section...
s.sch005 The Northern Ireland Act 1998 is amended as follows.
s.sch005 In section 6A(2) (restriction relating to retained EU law) for...
s.sch005 (1) Section 7 (entrenched enactments) is amended as follows.
s.sch005 In section 24(4)(b) (exception to section 24(3)) for “Schedule 2...
s.sch005 In Schedule 3 (reserved matters), in paragraph 38, for “exit...
s.sch005 The Government of Wales Act 2006 is amended as follows....
s.sch005 In section 80(8A)(b) (exception to section 80(8)) for “Schedule 2...
s.sch005 In section 109A(2) (legislative competence: restriction relating to retained EU...
s.sch005 (1) Any provision of primary legislation which—
s.sch005 In Part 2 of Schedule 7A (specific reservations), in section...
s.sch005 (1) Paragraph 5 of Schedule 7B (protected enactments) is amended...
s.sch005 The Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 is amended...
s.sch005 In section 1(1)(ba) (application of Part 1 of the Act)...
s.sch005 In section 14(3) (references to other legislative provisions) for “exit...
s.sch005 In section 30(7) (other instruments laid before the Scottish Parliament)...
s.sch005 In section 55(2B)(d) (transitional Orders: revocation and savings)—
s.sch005 In Schedule 1 (definitions of words and expressions)—
s.sch005 The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 is amended as follows....
s.sch005 In the italic heading before section 2, for “existing EU...
s.sch005 (1) The power of a Minister of the Crown under...
s.sch005 (1) Section 7 (status of retained EU law) is amended...
s.sch005 (1) Section 10 (continuation of North-South co-operation and the prevention...
s.sch005 In section 11 (powers involving devolved authorities corresponding to sections...
s.sch005 In the italic cross-heading before section 13, for “approval of...
s.sch005 (1) Section 20 (interpretation) is amended as follows.
s.sch005 In the table in section 21(1) (index of defined expressions)—...
s.sch005 (1) Section 23 (consequential and transitional provision) is amended as...
s.sch005 (1) Schedule 4 (powers in connection with fees and charges)...
s.sch005 (1) Schedule 5 (publication and rules of evidence) is amended...
s.sch005 (1) Schedule 6 (instruments which are exempt EU instruments) is...
s.sch005 The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 is amended as follows....
s.sch005 In Part 1 of Schedule 7 (scrutiny of powers to...
s.sch005 After Part 1 of Schedule 7 insert— PART 1A Scrutiny...
s.sch005 (1) Part 2 of Schedule 7 (scrutiny of other powers...
s.sch005 (1) Part 3 of Schedule 7 (general provision about powers...
s.sch005 (1) Part 1 of Schedule 8 (general consequential provision) is...
s.sch005 (1) Part 3 of Schedule 8 (general transitional, transitory or...
s.sch005 (1) Part 4 of Schedule 8 (specific transitional, transitory and...
s.sch005 (1) The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and...
s.sch005 The Legislation (Wales) Act 2019 is amended as follows.
s.sch005 In section 24 (references to direct EU legislation retained in...
s.sch005 In section 11 (references in enactments), in subsections (1C), (1D)...
s.sch005 In section 26 (references to EU instruments), in subsection (3)—...
s.sch005 In the Table in Schedule 1 (definitions of words and...
s.sch005 In the Table in Schedule 1 (definitions of words and...
s.sch005 (1) If section 10(2) (which inserts section 3(5A) of the...
s.sch005 Section 57(2) of the Scotland Act 1998, section 80(8) of...
s.sch005 Section 36(e) and (f) do not affect the continued operation...
s.sch005 (1) The fact that a power to make regulations is...
s.sch005 The prohibition on making regulations under paragraph 1(3) or 3(2)...
s.sch005 (1) The power of a Minister of the Crown under...
s.sch005 In section 44A (definitions relating to the United Kingdom's withdrawal...
s.sch005 The Interpretation Act 1978 is amended as follows.
s.sch005 In section 20(3) (references to other enactments) for “exit day”...

Help complying

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Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.