Section 5 Exceptions to savings and incorporationC3

United Kingdom

F1(A1)

The principle of the supremacy of EU law is not part of domestic law.

This applies after the end of 2023, in relation to any enactment or rule of law (whenever passed or made).

C1 C2(A2)

Any provision of F2assimilated direct legislation—

(a)

must, so far as possible, be read and given effect in a way which is compatible with all domestic enactments, and

(b)

is subject to all domestic enactments, so far as it is incompatible with them.

(A3)

Subsection (A2) is subject to—

(a)

F3sections 183A and 186 of the Data Protection Act 2018 F4(protection of prohibitions, restrictions and data subject’s rights) F5(and see also section 183B(3) of that Act);

(b)

regulations under section 7(1) of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023.

F6(A4)

No general principle of EU law is part of domestic law after the end of 2023.

F7(1)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I1(4)

The Charter of Fundamental Rights is not part of domestic law on or after F8IP completion day.

F9(5)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

I2 I3(6)

Schedule 1 (which makes further provision about exceptions to savings and incorporation) has effect.

F10(7)

Subsections F11(A1) to (6) and Schedule 1 are subject to relevant separation agreement law (for which see section 7C).

F12(8)

In this section “domestic enactment” means an enactment other than one consisting of F13assimilated direct legislation.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: S. 5(A1)-(A3) inserted (1.1.2024) by Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), ss. 3(1), 22(3) (with s. 22(5)); S.I. 2023/1363, reg. 3(a)
F2: Words in s. 5(A2) substituted (1.1.2024) by Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), s. 22(3), Sch. 2 para. 8(2) (with s. 22(6)); S.I. 2023/1363, reg. 3(e)
F3: Words in s. 5(A3)(a) substituted (20.8.2025) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 106(6)(a), 142(1); S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(k)
F4: Words in s. 5(A3)(a) substituted (20.8.2025) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 106(6)(b), 142(1); S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(k)
F5: Words in s. 5(A3)(a) inserted (1.1.2024) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 106(6)(c)(7), 142(1); S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(k)
F6: S. 5(A4) inserted (1.1.2024) by Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), ss. 4(2)(a), 22(3) (with s. 22(5)); S.I. 2023/1363, reg. 3(b)
F7: S. 5(1)-(3) omitted (1.1.2024) by virtue of Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), ss. 3(3)(a)(i), 22(3) (with s. 22(5)); S.I. 2023/1363, reg. 3(a)
F8: Words in s. 5(1)-(5) substituted (31.12.2020) by European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (c. 1), ss. 25(4)(a), 42(7) (with s. 38(3), Sch. 5 para. 66); S.I. 2020/1622, reg. 5(d)
F9: S. 5(5) omitted (1.1.2024) by virtue of Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), ss. 4(2)(b), 22(3) (with s. 22(5)); S.I. 2023/1363, reg. 3(b)
F10: S. 5(7) inserted (31.1.2020 for specified purposes, 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force) by European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (c. 1), ss. 25(4)(b), 42(7) (with s. 38(3), Sch. 5 para. 66); S.I. 2020/75, reg. 4(h); S.I. 2020/1622, reg. 5(d)
F11: Word in s. 5(7) substituted (1.1.2024) by Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), ss. 3(3)(a)(ii), 22(3) (with s. 22(5)); S.I. 2023/1363, reg. 3(a)
F12: S. 5(8) inserted (1.1.2024) by Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), ss. 3(2), 22(3) (with s. 22(5)); S.I. 2023/1363, reg. 3(a)
F13: Words in s. 5(8) substituted (1.1.2024) by Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), s. 22(3), Sch. 2 para. 8(2) (with s. 22(6)); S.I. 2023/1363, reg. 3(e)

Modifications

C1: S. 5(A2) excluded (4.6.2025) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Social Security Co-ordination) (Compatibility) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/580), regs. 1, 2
C2: S. 5(A2) excluded (1.1.2024) by 2018 c. 12, s. 183B(3) (as inserted by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 106(3)(7), 142(1); S.I. 2025/904, reg. 2(k))
C3: S. 5(A2): power to exclude conferred (29.6.2023) by Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (c. 28), ss. 7(1), 22(1)(c)

Commencement

I1: S. 5(1)-(5)(7) in force at 31.12.2020 by S.I. 2020/1622, reg. 3(d)
I2: S. 5(6) in force at 4.7.2018 for specified purposes by S.I. 2018/808, reg. 3(a)
I3: S. 5(6) in force at 31.12.2020 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2020/1622, reg. 3(d)

Notes on Retention of saved EU law at end of implementation period

Textual amendments

F1: Words in s. 2 cross-heading substituted (31.12.2020) by European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 (c. 1), s. 42(7), Sch. 5 para. 39 (with s. 38(3), Sch. 5 para. 66); S.I. 2020/1622, reg. 5(j)