JURIST - Paper Chase: UK MPs back EU reform treaty

[JURIST] The UK House of Commons voted 346-206 Tuesday in favor of the EU reform treaty [JURIST news archive], properly known as the Treaty of Lisbon [official website; PDF text]. MPs adopted the European Union (Amendment) Bill [text; bill materials], which will incorporate the Treaty of Lisbon into UK law, after the bill's third reading [debate transcript]. The bill now goes to the House of Lords for approval.

Earlier this month, the House of Commons rejected a national referendum [JURIST report] on ratification of the EU treaty, though supporters of that proposal are hoping that the House of Lords will back a popular vote on the treaty, rather than allowing parliamentary ratification. The treaty must be ratified by all 27 EU member states before it can take effect, though each country may choose the method of ratification. Ireland, the latest country to announce its ratification plans, said Tuesday that Ireland will hold a referendum in June [EUobserver report]. Five countries have ratified the reform treaty, and so far, Ireland is the only EU member state that has chosen to hold a referendum on the issue. AFP has more.

For a one-stop snapshot of the latest legal news that matters, with breaking documents, new legal videos, live law-related webcasts, commentary by expert law professors and more - all updated through the day in real time, with no ads and no registration barriers - visit JURIST's homepage and check back often...