Northern Ireland's High Court is about to rule if parliament should vote on Brexit
Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters
A cross-party group of politicians launched the legal challenge earlier this month, on the basis that both UK parliament and the Northern Irish regional assembly should vote before May triggers Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.
The challenge relates to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement - a historic agreement between Britain and Ireland which crucially contains references to EU law. The agreement was a major step towards ending decades of conflict between Catholic Irish nationalists and Protestant unionists and granted Northern Irish control of its own sovereignty.
The claimants argue that the government's plans to bypass parliament and use Royal Prerogative to trigger Article 50 would be unlawful as it would mean unpicking the Good Friday Agreement without first consulting Northern Ireland.
Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered during the Irish conflict, has launched his own challenge alongside that of the cross-party group of politicians."We are confident," he said, according to Reuters.
"I believe and my legal people believe we have a very strong case."
Ronan Lavery QC, who represented McCord in the High Court, argued that withdrawal from the EU would have a "catastrophic effect" on the Irish peace process.
A lawyer defending the government told the court that using Royal Prerogative is "not illegal, unorthodox or undemocratic," while Northern Ireland's Attorney General, John Larkin QC, suggested "not one word or phrase" in the British-Irish agreement would be affected by triggering Article 50.
Earlier this month, the Royal Courts of Justice, based in London, heard a legal challenge from multiple claimants who argued it was unlawful for the prime minister to invoke Article 50 without first passing an act of parliament.
Lord Pannick QC, who was representing lead claimant Gina Miller, who BI interviewed in August, argued strongly that triggering Article 50 will mean statutory rights enjoyed by Brits as EU citizens - like the right to vote to in EU elections and refer a legal dispute to the European Court of Justice - will be destroyed in an instant.
A verdict in the Northern Irish case is expected shortly after 10.00 a.m. BST (5.00 a.m. ET).
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market