The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020, also known as the Brexit withdrawal agreement, has been a highly controversial topic ever since the UK voted to leave the EU in 2016. Chapter 1 of this Act outlines the key provisions of the agreement and its impact on the country.

The Act was passed by the UK parliament in January 2020, and it came into force on 31st January 2020, at the end of the Brexit transition period. The primary objective of the Act is to implement the withdrawal agreement that was negotiated between the UK government and the EU.

The Act confirms that the UK will leave the EU on the terms agreed in the withdrawal agreement, after which a transition period would begin. During this period, which lasted until 31st December 2020, the UK continued to follow EU rules and regulations while negotiating a new trade agreement with the EU.

The Act also established the Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens` Rights Agreements (IMA), which was set up to monitor the implementation of the citizens` rights provisions of the withdrawal agreement. This includes the right to continue to live and work in the UK for EU citizens who had already moved to the UK before the end of the transition period.

Furthermore, Chapter 1 of the Act sets out the financial provisions of the withdrawal agreement. The UK agreed to pay a financial settlement of around £39 billion to the EU to settle its outstanding financial obligations, such as contributions to the EU budget and pensions for EU officials.

One of the most contentious issues surrounding the withdrawal agreement was the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Protocol is intended to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (an EU member state). The Protocol requires Northern Ireland to follow certain EU rules and regulations after the end of the transition period, which has led to concerns about the potential impact on the UK`s internal market.

In conclusion, Chapter 1 of the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 outlines the key provisions of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The Act confirmed the UK`s departure from the EU on the terms agreed in the withdrawal agreement and established various provisions to monitor the implementation of the agreement. The Act also set out the financial provisions of the agreement and dealt with contentious issues such as the Northern Ireland Protocol.