Dates: Thursday 25th June – Friday 26th June 2026

Location: University of Worcester, UK.

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’s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit).

The conference will feature a series of paper panels, and invited contributions from:

· Prof. Lord Blunkett, Chair in Politics in Practice, University of Sheffield, Labour Peer,

· Baroness Stuart, Crossbench Peer, former co-chair, ‘Vote Leave’ Campaign Committee, current Civil Service Commissioner,

· Dr Sylvia de Mars, Reader in Transnational Public Law, Newcastle University,

· Prof. Aziz Z. Huq, Frank and Bernice J Greenberg Professor of Law, University of Chicago, and

· Prof. Katja Ziegler, Sir Robert Jennings Professor of International Law, Co-Director of the Centre for European Law and Internationalisation, University of Leicester.

The co-convenors are inviting papers on any topic related to the conference theme: ‘The Legacy of Brexit and the Changing Political Landscape: The Impact on Public Law and Constitutional Challenges’. 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:

• Northern Ireland and the Good Friday Agreement,

• Scotland and the case for increased devolution and/or independence,

• The UK’s relationship with the Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights and human rights law in general,

• Parliament, parliamentary sovereignty and parliamentary democracy,

• The mechanics of government (i.e. collective responsibility, stability and safeguarding the civil service),

• The rise of populism, the right wing, and how the government responds to these challenges,

• The law and politics of referenda, including whether these should be ‘regulated’ so that expectations are clearly set out,

• The constitutions of other countries, including EU member states but also in third countries such as the United States of America,

• UK politics, broadly understood, including whether we can or might return to ‘normal’ pre-2016 politics.

Registration and Paper Submission:

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.

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.

Publication Opportunity:

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).

Financial Support for Early Career Researchers:

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:

1. Whose papers are accepted to present at the conference,

2. Whose institution is unable/unwilling to financially support their attendance, and

3. Who are fully paid early career members of the SLS (as defined in the SLS membership guidance: https://www.legalscholars.ac.uk/membership-guidance/).

If you are an ECR that wishes to be considered for financial support, you should indicate this on the form when submitting your paper. You will be asked to confirm your eligibility, based on the criteria above, and provide indicative costs and dates for your travel to the University of Worcester. If you are selected for financial support, all travel and accommodation will be booked by the University of Worcester; there will be no scope to reimburse expenses.

Questions:

Any questions should be directed to the SLS Public Law section convenors, Dr Michael Lane (m.lane@worc.ac.uk) and Dr Chris Monaghan (c.monaghan@worc.ac.uk).