The legal status of the withdrawal agreement has been a topic of much debate and discussion since it was first introduced. The withdrawal agreement is the agreement negotiated between the European Union and the United Kingdom which outlines the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU.
The withdrawal agreement was signed by both parties on November 25, 2018, and was then ratified by the UK Parliament on January 9, 2020. It was also ratified by the European Parliament on January 29, 2020.
The legal status of the withdrawal agreement is that it is an international treaty which is binding under international law. In other words, it is a legally enforceable agreement between the parties involved.
However, the withdrawal agreement is not a standalone legal document. It is supported by a number of other legal texts, including the Political Declaration and the Joint Statement on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.
The Political Declaration is a non-binding document which sets out the framework for the future relationship between the UK and the EU. The Joint Statement sets out the arrangements for the implementation of the withdrawal agreement, including provisions for the Northern Ireland Protocol and the UK’s financial obligations to the EU.
The withdrawal agreement also has legal implications for the UK’s domestic law. The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 was passed by the UK Parliament to give effect to the provisions of the withdrawal agreement in UK law. This means that the withdrawal agreement has the force of law in the UK, and the UK courts can enforce its provisions.
However, the withdrawal agreement is not without its controversies. Some have argued that the agreement undermines the sovereignty of the UK, as it contains provisions for the UK to continue to be subject to EU law in certain areas. Others have argued that the Northern Ireland Protocol, which is part of the withdrawal agreement, could have negative implications for the UK’s internal market.
Overall, the legal status of the withdrawal agreement is that it is a binding international treaty which is supported by other legal texts and has implications for the UK’s domestic law. While it has been ratified by both the UK and the EU, it remains a controversial topic with ongoing debates and discussions about its implications for the UK’s future relationship with the EU.