The European University Institute Regulations 2023

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

Under section 2 of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28) (“the 2023 Act”), any rights, powers, liabilities etc retained by virtue of section 4 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 are not recognised or available in domestic law (and, accordingly, are not to be enforced, allowed or followed) at and after the end of 2023.

The Convention setting up the European University Institute (“the Convention”) established the European University Institute (“the Institute”). The European University Institute (EU Exit) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 2022/1231) (“the 2022 Regulations”) revoked the retained EU law deriving from the Convention except for the legal proceedings immunity which applied to acts done in service of the Institute prior to the coming into force of the 2022 Regulations. Notwithstanding this revocation, the 2022 Regulations also made saving provision in respect of individuals who were serving as staff of the Institute immediately before the coming into force of the 2022 Regulations, namely continued immunity for those staff from legal proceedings in respect of acts done in service of the Institute during the term of their contract with the Institute and a continued income tax privilege relating to salaries, wages and emoluments earned by those staff during the term of their contract. These Regulations restate those privileges and immunities, which would otherwise not be recognised or available by virtue of section 2 of the 2023 Act.

Regulation 3 restates the legal proceedings immunity for acts done in service of the Institute both prior to the coming into force of the 2022 Regulations and afterwards for acts done during the term of the relevant person’s contract with the Institute. The legal proceedings immunity is restated in the same terms as it was excluded from the revocation in the 2022 Regulations and as it continues by virtue of section 4 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. This immunity does not apply to a road traffic offence or a motor vehicle accident.

Regulation 4 restates the right of Institute employees not to pay UK income tax on their Institute salary, wages or emoluments in the same terms as it continues by virtue of section 4 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

A copy of the Convention that was in force immediately before exit day, from which the rights are restated, is published alongside these Regulations and copies can be obtained on request from the Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.