VerbatimParliament, as it happens

European Court of Justice

Asked by Mike WoodConservativeCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 18 March 2026UIN 119323

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make it his policy to remain outside the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the context of his negotiations with the EU, and the policies associated with EU/UK reset.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Common Understanding does not provide for oversight of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) within Great Britain or Northern Ireland. Instead it provides that the CJEU will have a limited role in assisting an independent arbitration tribunal responsible for deciding a dispute between the UK and the EU in relation to questions of EU law under any future SPS agreement, ETS linking agreement or an electricity agreement. The CJEU does not rule on the substantive outcome of the dispute - that is a matter for the independent arbitration panel.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim