Overview

The European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 is a UK law that updates domestic legislation to reflect changes brought about by the Treaty of Lisbon, which amended the founding treaties of the European Union. The Act mainly focuses on adjusting terminology, clarifying parliamentary oversight of EU decisions, and formally approving the increased powers of the European Parliament.

Description

This Act primarily makes changes to existing UK laws to accommodate the Treaty of Lisbon. Key aspects include:

• Terminology Changes: The Act replaces references to the "European Communities" with "European Union" ("EU") throughout relevant UK legislation, including the European Communities Act 1972 and the Interpretation Act 1978. A schedule details all necessary terminology updates.
• Parliamentary Scrutiny: The Act strengthens parliamentary control over certain EU decisions. It requires parliamentary approval before the UK government can support decisions related to treaty amendments affecting EU competencies, changes to voting procedures, and specific areas such as family law, social policy, the environment, and EU finance.
• Treaty Ratification: The Act mandates parliamentary approval for the ratification of any treaty amending the founding treaties of the EU, unless it meets specific exceptions laid out in the act.
• European Parliament Powers: The Act formally approves the increased powers of the European Parliament as outlined in the Treaty of Lisbon.

Government Spending

The Act itself doesn't directly involve government spending. Its impact on government spending is indirect, resulting from the UK's continued participation in the EU and the implications of the Lisbon Treaty on EU legislation and budgetary matters. No specific figures are provided within the act itself.

Groups Affected

• UK Government: The act alters the government's ability to engage with EU decision-making, requiring parliamentary approval for specific areas.
• UK Parliament: The Act grants Parliament greater scrutiny over EU decisions, enhancing its role in the legislative process related to the EU.
• Legal Professionals: Lawyers and legal professionals must update their understanding of UK law to reflect the terminology changes introduced by the Act.
• Businesses: Businesses operating within the EU's regulatory framework need to adapt to changes resulting from the Treaty of Lisbon and reflected in the updated UK legislation.

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