The provisions of the Protocol deliver what has become known as the ‘backstop’ for the Irish border. They come into effect if no other agreement that addresses the issues in connection with the Irish border has been reached by the end of the Transition Period on 31 December 2020, or any...

The debate surrounding the United Kingdom leaving the European Union has focussed on negotiations between the parties. But there are many important actions that the UK government can take in preparation for leaving the EU customs union and pursuing an independent trade policy. These include...

The UK is incorporating the precautionary principle into domestic law. This should be balanced with an innovation principle.Innovation is vital for economic growth and prosperity. But there are widespread concerns that badly designed and targeted regulation holds back innovation, due in part to...

In framing its ongoing relationship with the EU, and a new external trade policy, the UK is in a unique position to adopt one particular, radical free trade policy: a policy of unilateral recognition of the regulations of other territories for the acceptance of goods for the UK market. But such...

The Online Safety Bill establishes a new regulatory regime for digital platforms intended to improve online safety. The Bill raises significant issues for freedom of expression, privacy and innovation. There is a lack of evidence to justify the legislation, with respect to both the alleged...

The government proposes to give a new Digital Markets Unit (DMU) powers to regulate firms in digital markets. This new ex ante regulatory approach is designed to overcome the claimed inadequacies of existing competition law to regulate the digital sector yet will be housed in the Competition and...