London: There has been an ongoing debate since the Brexit referendum as to whether new prime minister, Theresa May, can initiate Brexit without first seeking permission from Parliament.
The first of a number of legal challenges to Britain’s exit from the EU without parliamentary approval opened in the high court here on Tuesday.
At the opening in the Royal Courts of Justice, government lawyers led by Jason Coppel said the Theresa May-led government did not intend to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty initiating the UK’s departure from the EU before the end of 2016.
Brian Leveson, one of the judges in charge of the directions hearing held to finalise administrative details, said the full trial will take place in October.
At least seven private actions arguing that only Parliament, and not the prime minister, has the authority to invoke Article 50 were identified to the court.
The defendant resisting the action will be David Davis, the new Brexit secretary.
