UK in Strasbourg
In the case of Hutchinson v UK (Application no. 57592/08) the ECtHR held that whole life sentences are permissible, and do not violate the ECHR due to the discretionary power of the Home Secretary to review and potentially release in “exceptional circumstances”.
Evaluation of UK’s international obligations
Amnesty International has prepared a submission in preparation for the UN’s Universal Periodic Review of the UK in which it evaluates the implementation of recommendations accepted by the UK from its previous UPR, and assesses the situation of human rights.
A Press Release issued by the BIICL has stated that Britain’s top companies are taking the lead in investing in the rule of law.
UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU
Prior to her speech, Theresa May was predicted to say that the Government is prepared to abandon the single market, customs union and the ECJ in order to achieve a clean break with the EU.
The Maltese Prime Minister has stated that the ECJ is likely to maintain the power to make judgments impacting on the UK throughout any Brexit transitional deal.
In an interview with a German newspaper Philip Hammond has suggested Britain could transform its economic model into that of a corporate tax haven if the EU fails to provide it with an agreement on market access after Brexit.
However, the Dutch have stated they will block any EU trade deal with the UK unless it signs up to tough tax avoidance regulations.
In a submission to the Department for Exiting the EU, the Law Society has stated that rights of audience before the Court of Justice of the European Union are among the priorities for continued access to EU legal practice following Brexit.
Nick Clegg has published a paper setting out alternatives to a hard Brexit, the EEA and EFTA.
EU negotiator Michael Barnier has followed Theresa May’s speech by reiterating his bargaining strategy of “divorce first, trade talks after”.
In her keynote speech, Theresa May confirmed that MPs and peers are to get a vote on the final Brexit deal. She also confirmed that Britain will leave the single market, and backed a “phased process of implementation”. The Independent has summarised twelve key points.
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