Retained EU law is best described as?

• A. It remains in force after Brexit where applicable
• B. It replaces all domestic statutes
• C. It is identical to common law
• D. It has no status in English law

Answer: (A)

Retained EU law is a way to keep EU-derived rules in the UK legal system after Brexit. When the UK left, Parliament preserved those rules as domestic law on exit day so they can continue to operate. They stay in force unless the UK Parliament or the government later changes or repeals them. It’s not the same as common law, and it doesn’t replace all domestic statutes; it simply sits alongside other UK laws and can be amended or revoked by UK legislation. The phrase “where applicable” reflects that only EU-derived rules that actually applied in the UK continue to have effect, subject to future changes. That’s why the description that fits best is that it remains in force after Brexit where applicable.