On 29 March 2017, more than nine months after the June 2016 referendum, the British government officially notified the European Council of the United Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from the European Union. In accordance with the provisions of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, the treaties will cease to apply to it from the effective date of the withdrawal agreement or, failing which, two years after the notice, i.e. on 29 March 2019. The European Council may, in agreement with the State concerned, unanimously decide to extend that period.
On 13 July 2017, the British government submitted to the House of Commons a bill on the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, which is now in an advanced stage of discussion.
The negotiations began on 19 June 2017. Their first phase is focused solely on the conditions of the United Kingdom’s exit. In a second phase, once sufficient progress has been made on the terms of an organized withdrawal, the two parties will negotiate on the framework of their future relations.
At the present stage, even if a preferential type of relationship could be established with the United Kingdom, it is nonetheless a foregone conclusion that the UK will become a third country vis-à-vis the European Union. Given these circumstances, businesses should now begin setting up action plans allowing them to manage, in their best interests, the operational consequences of this situation, because going forward the EU acquis will no longer apply in relations with the United Kingdom, particularly with respect to trade in goods and services, the right of establishment, human resources, taxation (VAT, groups), intellectual property, etc.
With its multidisciplinary approach, which is perfectly suited to a context as complex as Brexit, Fidal has set up a dedicated website providing its clients with relevant information on the progress of the ongoing negotiation process as well as on the various services the firm offers its clients through its dedicated teams.
Whether you are a French company developing or wishing to develop your business in the United Kingdom or a UK company with interests in France, Brexit’s repercussions on your business are multiple and complex.
To assist you in this transformation, we have set up a dedicated team that is backed, when needed, by our UK partner law firm, Mills & Reeves, guaranteeing you:
Because Brexit has short, medium and long-term impacts, we have designed a graduated approach comprising a phase of identifying and analyzing the risks/opportunities and a phase of implementing the strategic and operational responses suited to your needs and goals:
The life sciences sector is particularly exposed to Brexit. […]
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