Clifford Chance

UK and EU agree Brexit deal – what does it mean, and what happens next?

15 November 2018

The UK and EU have provisionally agreed a draft Withdrawal Agreement and outline Political Declaration on their future relationship. A special European Council has been scheduled to take place on 25 November to sign the agreement.

The greatest risks are posed by the lack of Cabinet support (with key resignations already announced), disparate factions within the Conservatives and, ultimately if it gets that far, the UK House of Commons voting against the deal. The Withdrawal Agreement has generated intense opposition from across the UK political spectrum – not least the resignation of Dominic Raab, the Brexit Secretary.

This briefing considers the substance and implications of the emerging deal, the next steps, and the complex risks and multiple possible scenarios that arise between now and 29 March 2019, and beyond.

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