header-logo header-logo

EU: who’s in and who’s out?

25 February 2016
Issue: 7688 / Categories: Legal News , Brexit , EU , Constitutional law
printer mail-detail

The Justice Secretary set his hat against the Prime Minister last week as the cabinet split over the EU vote.

With 23 June confirmed as the EU referendum date, the scene is set for a clash of titans: Eurosceptic Michael Gove versus pro-EU David Cameron.

Gove explained in a statement that: “The EU tries to standardise and regulate rather than encourage diversity and innovation.”

He said: “Rules like the EU clinical trials directive have slowed down the creation of new drugs to cure terrible diseases and European Court of Justice judgments on data protection issues hobble the growth of internet companies.”

Gove’s stance puts him at odds not only with the PM but also large parts of the legal profession.

About 300 lawyers have formed a campaign group, Lawyers–In for Britain, to support Britain’s membership of the EU. The group has held several events, and is due to launch a report later this month setting out its case.

Separately, City firms are urging clients to consider the implications of a Brexit. A recent survey commissioned by Herbert Smith Freehills found that, of 200 UK-based businesses, most of the companies’ boards of directors have not yet formally considered the impact of a Brexit on their activities.

 

Issue: 7688 / Categories: Legal News , Brexit , EU , Constitutional law
printer mail-details

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll