International News

LONDON, July 3, (APP/AFP): The British government faces
a legal challenge to stop it beginning the process of leaving the European Union without an act of parliament, a law firm announced Sunday.
Lawyers at Mishcon de Reya argue that the British government cannot trigger Article 50, the legal process for leaving the EU, without a parliamentary debate and vote authorising it to do so.
“The result of the referendum is not in doubt, but we need a process that follows UK law to enact it,” said Kasra Nouroozi, a partner at Mishcon de Reya in a statement.
“The outcome of the referendum itself is not legally binding and for the current or future prime minister to invoke Article 50 without the approval of parliament is unlawful.”
As a majority of British lawmakers support remaining in the 28-member bloc, the legal challenge has the potential to complicate the process.
Mishcon de Reya said a “group of clients” was behind the legal action, without naming them, though The Lawyer magazine reported the clients were “a group of businesses”.
Once Article 50 is triggered, Britain has two years to negotiate the terms of its exit.