Influencing law

The Law Society is actively engaged in lobbying the EU institutions to influence EU law. EU law affects both professional rules and the development of substantive law as practised by solicitors.

The Law Society has access to a store of expertise through its specialist law reform committees and the EU Committee that coordinates responses. These committees are made up of experts in their respective fields and are ideally placed to assess the impact of EU legislation on the profession.

Policy in response to EU consultations

Law Society's response to the European Transparency Initiative
February 2008
The Law Society's response to the Commission's European Transparency Initiative.

Law Society response on moves to simplify EU company law
October 2007
The Law Society's response to the European Commission's consultation on simplifying EU company law and rules on accounting and auditing.

Law Society position paper on proposed Environmental Crime Directive
August 2007
Law Society's paper on the European Commission's proposal for a directive to harmonise EU Member States' laws on 'green crimes'.

Exit charges Comments by the Law Society’s International Tax Sub-Committee
1 August 2007
The Law Society of England and Wales' International Tax Sub-Committee has published a paper in relation to whether provisions of UK tax law on exit charges are in breach of EU law.

Fostering an appropriate regime for shareholders’ rights
25 July 2007
Third consultation document of the Services of the Directorate General Internal Market and Services. Comments from the Law Society of England and Wales.

EU consultation on draft general block exemption regulations - Law Society response
5 June 2007
The European Commission recently consulted on the text of a draft general block exemption regulation in relation to state aid, and this is the response to that consultation submitted by the Law Society.

Green Paper on the Review of the Consumer Acquis - Law Society response
16 May 2007
The European Commission published a Green Paper reviewing, and consulting on, the existing body of EU consumer protection legislation and possible reforms in February 2007. The Law Society submitted a response to this consultation.

Green Paper on modernising labour law in the 21st century - Law Society response
11 April 2007
The European Commission published a Green Paper on modernising employment law in November 2006. In collaboration with the Law Society of Scotland, the Law Society has submitted a response to the Commission's consultation.

Green Paper on the European Transparency Initiative - UK delegation response to the European Commission
22 September 2006
The UK delegation to the Council of the Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), comprising representatives from the six professional bodies in the UK, dissented from the CCBE response to the European Commission's Green Paper on the European Transparency Initiative and put forward its own position on the issue.

EU Commission consultation on the Review of the Timeshare Directive
11 August 2006
The Law Society's comments on the need to strengthen the regulatory framework for consumer protection with respect to holiday products are aimed at ensuring that access to justice is guaranteed, and that laws are clear, workable and fair.

Modernising company law and enhancing corporate governance in the European Union
14 March 2006
Law Society response to the consultation on future priorities.

Exercise of voting rights by shareholders - European Commission proposal for a Directive
28 February 2006
Law Society response to a proposed Directive facilitating the shareholders of listed companies in voting at, and participating in their general meetings.

Enhancement of the EU framework for investment funds
November 2005
The Society's Company Law Committee has published its response to the European Commission's Green Paper on the enhancement of the EU framework for investment funds.

Financial Services Policy Green Paper - Law Society response to the European Commission
August 2005
The Law Society of England responded to the European Commission's Green Paper on Financial Services Policy (2005-2010).

Ensuring effective regulation in the EU
May 2005
Law Society evidence to the House of Lords European Union Select Committee inquiry.

Hague Programme
January 2005
Law Society evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on the European Union inquiry.

Revision of the Working Time Directive
January 2005
Law Society comments on the Commission proposal to amend the Working Time Directive.

Fundamental Rights Agency
January 2005
Law Society's comments on the proposal to create a Fundamental Rights Agency.