UK: The Brexit saga continues

Over 1,000 days have passed since the Brexit vote, and the situation remains tense and problematic between the two sides.

Article 50 of the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty stipulates a 2 year time-limit on negotiations before the official exit. That final date therefore arises from that text. However, this deadline could still be amended as the UK has the possibility, with the EU’s approval, to report Brexit until summer 2019. However, any further delay would require a unanimous agreement from the 27 EU Heads of State.

The Court of Justice of the European Union’s decision dated December 2018 provides the possibility for the UK to back out of the current exit process of its own accord, by revoking article 50. To do so, a formal notification would have to be sent to Brussels informing them of such a decision.

Currently, the ‘no deal’ spectrum is still present, and the country seems profoundly divided. On 23 March 2019, more than a million people marched in central London calling for another EU referendum. In addition, a petition submitted to the UK government and Parliament website calling for Brexit to be halted was signed by almost 6 million people. The Commons Petition Committee said it had become the petition with the most signatures.

Theresa May must now, for the third time, put the withdrawal agreement to a vote by 29 March 2019, in order to push back Brexit until 22 May 2019. The MPs have not been able to agree on this point until now. If she is unsuccessful, she will then have until 12 April to find a Plan B.

Meanwhile, Brussels considers UK MPs’ demands unrealistic. The UK is urged to find a solution quickly to avoid any disturbance of the next European elections or even the freezing of democratic institutions.

 

For further information, contact:

Emmanuelle Ries, Managing Partner, Solicitor

ebl miller rosenfalck, London

e: er@millerrosenfalck.com 

t: +44 20 7553 9938

 

 

#Brexit

 

The material contained in this article is provided for general purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Appropriate legal advice should be sought for specific circumstances and before action is taken.