The UK government has confirmed that it will obey ¡°relevant¡± rulings by the European Court of Justice if it continues to participate in European Union research projects.

The Westminster government¡¯s opposition to remaining under the jurisdiction of the ECJ had been seen as a major obstacle to the UK becoming an associate member of the next framework programme, Horizon Europe, since the court settles disputes in relation to grants or within consortia.

However, a published by the Department for Exiting the European Union appears to settle the issue. It says: ¡°The UK will respect the remit of the ECJ, where relevant, where we participate in EU programmes.¡±

The statement follows a speech by Theresa May on 21 May in which the prime minister said that the UK would like the ¡°option¡± to be an associate member of Horizon Europe. The UK would be willing to pay into the programme in return for a significant stake in its design, she added.

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Sarah Main, executive director of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, said clarification on the role of the ECJ would be ¡°welcome¡±.

?¡°It will prompt a sigh of relief among the science community as many of the uncertainties that have begun to bite are addressed with purposefulness and enthusiasm,¡± she said.

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In a , Ms May did not rule out having to comply with?ECJ rulings if the UK should ¡°continue to participate in an EU agency¡±.

Thomas J?rgensen, senior policy coordinator at the European?University Association, said that the clear recognition of?the ECJ¡¯s role was ¡°big news, and a sensible move¡±. The larger issue now, he said, would concern how much influence the UK would be allowed,?as associate members typically did not have input into the design of such programmes. ¡°But,¡± he continued, ¡°I do not believe [there will be] any red lines, just things that require negotiation.¡±

The DExEU document says that a UK-EU science and innovation pact ¡°would need to manage access to programmes and infrastructure, underpinned by wider agreements and arrangements on issues including data sharing and protection, researcher mobility and intellectual property¡±.

Negotiations regarding science should not be delayed, the paper states, adding: ¡°We should not wait where we do not need to.¡±

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Addressing EU negotiators directly, DExEU concludes: ¡°We are looking to discuss the detail of the future partnership, and will work with you as you design the shape of the future programmes.¡±

rachael.pells@timeshighereducation.com