search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
WORDS IAN SKUSE


LEGAL


W


ITH AN EXTENSION TO the Article 50 deadline, the possibility of a Brexit “no deal” still remains, causing


uncertainty relating to things we take for granted in business travel, such as quick access through airports, immigration arrangements at borders, passports, flight operations and currency exchange. Commercial contracts in business travel may also become uneconomic. The trouble is, no one knows whether a Brexit deal is possible before 31 October 2019, or if we face big problems this autumn.


CURRENCY


There is no guidance about what might happen to the exchange rate, particularly between the euro and sterling, in the event of no deal. Some analysts consider there could be a slump, and if travellers or their companies are using GBP to buy euros, this will have an inevitable price rise effect.


PASSPORTS/VISAS/BORDERS There was a fear that Brexit would mean the requirement of visas for UK residents to visit the EU, unless the UK was classified as visa-exempt. On 9 April 2019, the EU Counsel adopted a regulation stating that UK citizens coming to the Schengen area for a short stay (90 days in 180 days) will be granted visa-free travel. This proposal is likely to be ratified before we get to 31 October 2019. In order to achieve this, the UK government has stated that it will not require visas from EU citizens travelling to the UK for short stays. The concession for visa-free travel could be removed if either party


buyingbusinesstravel.com


TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED


Extending Article 50 until October brings prolonged uncertainty for business


imposed a requirement, under the EU condition of reciprocity.


FLIGHTS AND AIRPORTS UK carriers will no longer be covered by EU aviation laws unless there are agreed transition provisions. There is a contingency action plan introduced by the European Commission, which provides for basic reciprocal rights for air services if there is a no deal. The UK government has confirmed a reciprocal approach to EU carriers on a temporary basis, maintaining routes between the UK and the EU, and regulations for safety and security. It will be for the UK to put in place bilateral agreements with other countries authorising air transport. In the meantime, Regulation 261/2004 (flight delay compensation) will stay in place after Brexit.


DATA PROTECTION GDPR remains in force after a no deal Brexit and the ICO has produced a guidance document on this. The UK will be considered a third country, and unless there is an “adequacy decision” from the EU, transfers of data from or into the UK are likely to require written agreements with the standard


NO ONE CAN


PREDICT HOW PROFOUND PROBLEMS MIGHT BE IF WE GET


TO NO DEAL


data protection clauses. Without this, no adequacy decision would mean a bar on data transfers between UK and EU unless there is explicit consent.


COMMERCIAL AGREEMENTS Corporates with European contracts are well advised to review these to see what the implications might be. In some contracts, terms may become unviable, either due to exchange rates or the imposition of tariffs, making the services too expensive. Some contain “Brexit clauses” where, in certain circumstances, the parties can terminate if contracts become incapable of performance or commercially unviable. Some contracts incorporate this within their “force majeure” clauses although many of these are unclear. Unfortunately, no one can predict how profound these problems might be if we get to a no deal Brexit. It is worth reviewing your business and contracts to see how you might be affected.


Ian Skuse is a partner in Blake Morgan’s travel team (blakemorgan.co.uk) He welcomes your feedback: ian.skuse@blakemorgan.co.uk


2019 MAY/JUNE 149


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152