Dates: Thursday 25th June \u2013 Friday 26th June 2026<\/p>\n
Location: University of Worcester, UK.<\/p>\n
The co-convenors of the Society of Legal Scholars Public Law section are delighted to announce a two-day, in-person conference at the University of Worcester. The conference, which is supported by the Society of Legal Scholars Subject Section Fund, will explore the public law and constitutional implications of the UK\u2019s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit).<\/p>\n
The conference will feature a series of paper panels, and invited contributions from:<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Prof. Lord Blunkett, Chair in Politics in Practice, University of Sheffield, Labour Peer,<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Baroness Stuart, Crossbench Peer, former co-chair, \u2018Vote Leave\u2019 Campaign Committee, current Civil Service Commissioner,<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Dr Sylvia de Mars, Reader in Transnational Public Law, Newcastle University,<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Prof. Aziz Z. Huq, Frank and Bernice J Greenberg Professor of Law, University of Chicago, and<\/p>\n
\u00b7 Prof. Katja Ziegler, Sir Robert Jennings Professor of International Law, Co-Director of the Centre for European Law and Internationalisation, University of Leicester.<\/p>\n
The co-convenors are inviting papers on any topic related to the conference theme: \u2018The Legacy of Brexit and the Changing Political Landscape: The Impact on Public Law and Constitutional Challenges\u2019. This is interpreted broadly to include the direct and indirect effects of Brexit on public and constitutional law, both in the UK and abroad. Topics do not need to address Brexit specifically but could instead analyse its numerous implications. Indicative topics include the impact of Brexit on:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement,<\/p>\n
\u2022 Scotland and the case for increased devolution and\/or independence,<\/p>\n
\u2022 The UK\u2019s relationship with the Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights and human rights law in general,<\/p>\n
\u2022 Parliament, parliamentary sovereignty and parliamentary democracy,<\/p>\n
\u2022 The mechanics of government (i.e. collective responsibility, stability and safeguarding the civil service),<\/p>\n
\u2022 The rise of populism, the right wing, and how the government responds to these challenges,<\/p>\n
\u2022 The law and politics of referenda, including whether these should be \u2018regulated\u2019 so that expectations are clearly set out,<\/p>\n
\u2022 The constitutions of other countries, including EU member states but also in third countries such as the United States of America,<\/p>\n
\u2022 UK politics, broadly understood, including whether we can or might return to \u2018normal\u2019 pre-2016 politics.<\/p>\n
Registration and Paper Submission:<\/p>\n
This is a free conference supported by the Society of Legal Scholars Subject Section Fund. There is no fee to attend, however you must register your attendance via MS Forms: https:\/\/forms.cloud.microsoft\/e\/TEqNNt79XE<\/a>.<\/p>\n The same link can be used to submit a paper for the conference. Submissions should be made no later than Monday 23rd March 2026, 5pm. Decisions will be communicated by Friday 3rd April 2026.<\/p>\n Publication Opportunity:<\/p>\n The co-convenors are exploring the opportunity to publish the outputs from the conference either as an edited collection or a special issue of a journal. When submitting your abstract, you will be asked to indicate whether you wish for your paper to be considered for this opportunity. In the event that a suitable publisher is identified, the co-convenors will be in touch after the conference. (Note: acceptance of your paper for the conference does not guarantee publication).<\/p>\n Financial Support for Early Career Researchers:<\/p>\n Papers are invited from colleagues from all career stages, but the co-convenors particularly encourage the participation of early career researchers (ECRs), including postgraduate research students. A limited fund has been set aside to subsidise the travel and accommodation (one night) of five ECRs that are selected to present at the conference. These funds will be available to those:<\/p>\n 1. Whose papers are accepted to present at the conference,<\/p>\n 2. Whose institution is unable\/unwilling to financially support their attendance, and<\/p>\n