- Title: UK court to rule 'as soon as possible' on government's Brexit appeal
- Date: 8th December 2016
- Summary: GROUP OF PROTESTERS STANDING AROUND
- Embargoed: 23rd December 2016 16:22
- Keywords: Article 50 Supreme Court Brexit parliament David Neuberger James Eadie
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA0035C0YWCN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The UK Supreme Court will give its judgement on whether Prime Minister Theresa May can trigger the formal process for Britain to leave the European Union without parliament's approval "as soon as possible", its president said on Thursday (December 8).
Speaking 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."
For the past four days, the court heard an appeal by the government against a ruling last month that it requires the assent of the British parliament to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty - the first formal step towards quitting the bloc - and cannot simply use executive powers, known as the royal prerogative.
"We do not assert a general power to alter the law of the land or to alter common law rights by exercise of the prerogative," lawyer for the government James Eadie said in his closing statement.
Lawyers in the case have said they expect the court will give its judgement in late January. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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