The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 outlines the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. It repeals the European Communities Act 1972 (ECA). By doing so, it terminates European Union (EU) law within UK law. The Act converts EU law into domestic law, and safeguards laws enacted in the UK to implement EU obligations.
The Act grants temporary powers to create secondary legislation. This enables necessary corrections to be made to laws that would otherwise cease to operate effectively once the UK exits the EU. These measures ensure the continued functioning of the domestic legal system outside the EU.
Moreover, the Act allows domestic law to align with the provisions of any withdrawal agreement negotiated under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. However, this alignment is contingent upon Parliament's prior enactment of a statute approving the final terms of withdrawal.
