European Communities Act 1972 (Repeal) Bill

A Bill to repeal the European Communities Act 1972 and related legislation; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Parliament last updated

26 April 2013

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

This bill would repeal the European Communities Act 1972, along with related legislation. If enacted, EU law would no longer automatically apply in the UK, and Parliament would decide how to manage any existing EU-derived rights and rules. Further legislation would be needed to set out those arrangements.

Key Points

Repeals the European Communities Act 1972 and related legislation.
Ends the legal basis for EU law having primacy in UK law and in UK courts.
Requires new measures to decide how to treat existing EU-derived rights, rules and safeguards.
Will require transitional arrangements to ensure legal certainty for individuals, businesses and public bodies.

Progress

The bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons; the first reading occurred on 20 June 2012, and no subsequent stages are listed in the provided information.

Who is affected?

UK citizens and residents relying on EU-derived rightsEmployees and jobseekersBusinesses and traders in the UKPublic sector bodies and regulatorsLawyers, courts and legal professionalsEU nationals living in the UK and cross-border workers

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

20 Jun 2012

2nd readingCommons

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Updates & Documents

News (1)

News - European Communities Act 1972 (Repeal)

1 Jan 1970

The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

Bill 27 2012-13 (as introduced)

BillCommons

19 Sept 2012

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.