The British parliament's vote to back Prime Minister Theresa May's plan to trigger Brexit by end-March is "highly significant" to the legal battle over who has the power to authorise the step, a government lawyer says.
The comment on Thursday was made in the Supreme Court by James Eadie, who is acting for the government in an appeal against a ruling that would oblige ministers to seek parliament's assent before triggering Article 50, the EU's exit clause.
UK MPs voted 448 to 75 on Wednesday to support a motion calling on the government to give details of its Brexit plan, but also backing the government's timetable to trigger the divorce procedure by the end of March.
"We respectfully submit that that is highly significant," Eadie told the Supreme Court.
Related reading
UK court latest step in deciding Brexit trigger process
"It isn't legally binding but that doesn't mean it isn't legally relevant. It provides the sharpest of focuses on the nature of the issues now in play, because the House of Commons has given specific approval to the government to give that (Article 50) notice and indeed has called on them to do so by a particular date."
The UK Supreme Court will give its judgement on whether May can trigger the formal process for Britain to leave the European Union without parliament's approval "as soon as possible", its president said.
Speaking on Thursday at the end of a four-day appeal by the government, David Neuberger said: "We are not being asked to overturn the result of the EU referendum.
"The ultimate question in this case concerns the process by which that result can lawfully be brought into effect. We will now take time to ensure that the many arguments that have been presented to us orally and in writing are given proper consideration."
Lawyers in the case have said they expect the court will give its judgement in late January.
Share
