The concept developed from the Great Repeal Bill proposed in 2008 by Conservative Party representatives Douglas Carswell MP and Daniel Hannan MEP as part of a radical "Twelve months to renew Britain".

[7] The ensuing Queen's Speech referred to "A Freedom or Great Repeal Bill" which:[5] would address concerns around what has been described as a tidal wave of criminal justice legislation in recent years.

[11] Chapter 1 makes provision in respect of the destruction, retention, and use of fingerprints, footwear impressions and DNA samples.

Chapter 1 creates new regulation for, and instructs the Secretary of State to prepare a code of practice towards closed-circuit television and automatic number plate recognition.

Previously, it was 28 days after being extended from 14 days by the Terrorism Act 2006 This Part removes the 'stop and search' regulations of the Terrorism Act 2000 and reforms the operation of the power to search people and vehicles, in addition to creating new Code of Practice rules in respect of these powers.