Lawyers - In For Britain |

Following the referendum on 23 June 2016, Lawyers IN for Britain is no longer campaigning for the UK’s continued membership of the European Union. A new group, Lawyers for Europe, has been formed with the aim of providing analysis, support and information to citizens, government, politicians, businesses and other stakeholders in respect of legal issues concerning the UK’s future relationship with the EU.

This website will remain live, as a repository of the materials created for the referendum campaign.

The signatories of the Report set out on this website (and available to download as a PDF here) are members of ‘Lawyers-In for Britain’ – a group of lawyers who consider that the UK’s interests are best served by remaining in the EU. Our view stems from our individual experiences and beliefs, and not those of our clients or the organisations we represent or work for in our professional lives.

Benefits

The EU Improves the UK’s Environment

Pollution does not respect national boundaries. Both air pollution and water pollution can travel long distances and toxic waste can be transported across borders. Environmental problems in European countries are therefore better tackled by the EU than by individual...

The EU Gives UK Citizens Greater Opportunities to Live, Work, Study and Travel Abroad

It is a fundamental principle of EU law that UK citizens can work in, and move between, EU countries without restrictions. This has provided new opportunities for British people and British people are major beneficiaries of the EU’s free movement laws. It is estimated...

The EU Improves the UK’s Security

The internationalisation of crime and terrorism continues to grow. British citizens benefit from European policies that enhance protection both at home and across Europe: The European Arrest Warrant requires Member States to arrest and transfer a suspect or sentenced...

The EU Benefits UK Consumers

We believe that the EU means more choice and lower prices for higher quality goods and services. UK consumers benefit directly from EU policies that: increase household incomes.[1] The Government has noted that being part of the EU single market may have resulted in...

The EU Secures More Affordable Energy in the UK

Being an EU Member State helps the UK to secure more affordable, secure and clean energy for consumers. It improves the UK’s ability to meet its current and future energy needs in a way that is more cost-effective than would otherwise be the case if it acted alone....

Access to the EU Single Market Benefits UK Trade

The business reasons for remaining in the EU are compelling. EU membership has meant greater economic and financial openness in the UK. This in turn has supported a dynamic UK economy, raising economic growth and boosting living standards.[1] Remaining in the EU...

The EU Promotes a Healthier UK

Protection against contagious diseases, health research and the ability to have foreign health care costs covered for free are all enhanced by EU membership. The UK’s health security is improved by being in Europe. Infectious diseases do not stop at national borders....

The EU Enhances UK Workers’ Rights and Promotes Gender Equality

EU law ensures that UK workers are protected wherever they work in the EU. EU law also gives UK businesses the reassurance that their EU trading partners are operating to the same standards of workers’ rights. EU law provides a basic level of protection for all EU...

Development of the EU’s Single Market Will Benefit the UK’s Future

There is potential for significant future gains by deepening the single market in existing and new areas. Britain is at the forefront of re-energising the EU single market benefits in areas such as energy, telecoms, airspace and the digital environment created by...

The EU Benefits the UK’s Services Industry

Free trade in services (including not only banking and insurance, but also occupations such as legal, media, hairdressing, building, dentistry and accountancy) is also important for the UK economy. Financial services are the UK’s largest services industry accounting...

Would the UK Be Stronger Following a Decision to Leave the EU?

Some ask whether the UK would be stronger if it left the EU. We believe there is no evidence that this would be the case. Indeed, there is a real risk that a UK decision to leave the EU risks damaging the cohesiveness of the United Kingdom and its Overseas...

Are the EU Institutions Too Big and Inefficient?

The EU bureaucracy is relatively small given the overall size of the EU economy and its population of over 500 million people. The EU institutions employ 55,000 persons (less than 0.05% of the EU population). This relatively small number of European civil servants...

Does Membership of the EU Prevent the UK From Making Its Own Laws?

As a matter of fundamental UK constitutional law, the UK Parliament is sovereign. The UK constitutional mechanism whereby the EU treaties have effect in UK law and why the EU institutions are able to pass legislation that directly affects the UK is through the...

Would the UK Have More Trading Influence Outside the EU?

We believe there is a real danger that, by leaving the EU, the UK would be isolated and have less influence in the world. Some of the UK’s key partners have stated explicitly that the UK has greater influence within the EU and could be side-lined if it left.[1]...

Can the UK Control Its Borders if It Remains in the EU?

The UK’s rights to control its borders and to check anyone entering the UK no matter where they come from are explained below. Like all EU Member States, the UK is subject to obligations to ensure the freedom of EU citizens to move and reside freely within the EU.[1]...

If the UK Leaves the EU, Will the European Court of Human Rights Still Have Jurisdiction Over the UK?

Commentators frequently link the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which is an institution of the Council of Europe that hears cases brought against the signatory states of the European Convention on Human Rights, with the Court of Justice...

Is There Too Much Regulation Coming From “Brussels”?

To say that EU legislation emanates from “Brussels” is a misconception. EU legislation is made by the EU institutions, in which the UK plays a full role (see the response to Question 1). It is difficult to quantify the number of UK laws that are adopted on the basis...

Does EU Regulation Stifle the City of London?

Far from stifling the City of London, EU membership has provided the City with substantial benefits allowing it to be one of the leading international financial centres in the world. The City of London is thriving. It is Europe’s leading financial centre, generating...

Is Membership of the EU Too Costly?

It is difficult to quantify precisely the overall impact of EU membership on the UK economy. As the Bank of England has stated,[1] first of all, it is impossible to say with any certainty what the UK economy would have looked like had the UK not joined the EU in 1973....

Are the EU’s Accounts Fraudulent?

Some people claim that EU spending is fraudulent. However: The Court of Auditors has signed off on the EU’s accounts for every year since 2007. It has noted some errors in the procedures for making payments but that does not mean that the payments should not have been...

The UK-EU FTA option

The pro-Brexit view “A first step would be to broker a bespoke UK-EU trade agreement, which we believe is desirable”. UKIP manifesto, 2015. What is the “UK-EU FTA option”? Exiting the EU but entering into a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and the EU. What...

The Norway (EEA) option

The pro-Brexit view “Single market access without ‘political union’ is secured under the EEA option”, Business for Britain, ‘Change or Go’, 17 July 2015. What is the “Norway (EEA) option?” Exiting the EU but becoming a member of the EEA, together with Norway, Iceland...

The Swiss option

The pro-Brexit view “Our objective, when we leave the EU, should be to aim for a Swiss model, based on bilateral accords”. British Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan, 15 December 2012, in The Telegraph. What is the “Swiss option”? Exiting the EU, joining EFTA but not the...

The Turkish option

What is the “Turkish option”? Exiting the EU but joining the EU’s Customs Union. What would it mean for the UK? Customs Union countries operate under a common trade policy, common rules of origin and a common external tariff. No duties on goods that are traded with...

The WTO option

The pro-Brexit view “We’d have more influence, not less. By regaining our seat on the WTO, which we gave up in 1973 on joining the EEC, we would have more say in global trade talks”. Richard Tice, 31 March 2015, writing in City A.M. What is the “WTO option”? Exiting...