Law Society warns of no-deal Brexit risks to crime-fighting measures
Britain will face a significant gap in its ability to tackle cross-border crime and terrorism if there is a no-deal Brexit, the Law Society of England and Wales warned.
Crashing out of the European Union would mean losing access to tools including the European Arrest Warrant, cross-border crime agency Europol and judicial co-operation unit Eurojust.
Law Society president Christina Blacklaws said: “If on March 29 we crash out of the EU without a deal, among the only people cheering will be criminals and those who wish us harm.”
A no deal Brexit will leave cross-border criminals cheering. "if we leave the EU without a deal, the era of unprecedented international security & criminal justice co-operation which we’ve enjoyed as a member state will immediately cease” @LawSocPresidenthttps://t.co/4uAfaXgZrVpic.twitter.com/KQRh7JI2mZ
— The Law Society (@TheLawSociety) March 1, 2019
The society, which represents solicitors, said an orderly transition period would allow new arrangements to be put in place covering criminal justice co-operation.
The Prime Minister Theresa May has repeatedly stressed her desire to secure a deal and a close partnership with Brussels on security and justice measures.
But the Law Society warned of the uncertainty surrounding a possible no-deal Brexit.
Ms Blacklaws said: “The absence of clear guidance or information about contingency planning when it comes to criminal justice is deeply troubling as there will be immediate consequences from a no-deal and any new agreements can only be forged once Britain has left the EU, leaving a significant gap in our ability to fight crime and terrorism.”