Can Brexit be revoked? EU court to give ‘quick’ verdict

LUXEMBOURG: Europe’s top court said on Tuesday it would decide “quickly” whether Britain can unilaterally reverse its decision to leave the European Union, a ruling supporters of EU membership hope could lead to a second referendum and ultimately stop Brexit.

Lawyers for a group of Scottish politicians want the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to interpret whether Britain can revoke its notice to withdraw from the

“The British government don’t seem to want (lawmakers) and the public to know that Article 50 can be revoked. That’s why they fought this case so hard,” Joanna Cherry, a Scottish National Party lawmaker and one of the cross-party group of pro-eu politicians that brought the case said.

The case was referred to the Luxembourg justices for a ruling by Scotland’s top court and “expedited” for Tuesday’s urgent one-day hearing before a full court of judges.

Article 50 of the EU treaty, which sets the rules for leaving the bloc, states that if a country decides to withdraw, it has two years to agree an exit deal, a deadline which can be extended only if the remaining EU states unanimously agree.

There is no mention of whether a state can change its mind. No other member state has ever left the 60-year-old bloc.

Aidan O’neill, lawyer for the politicians, told the ECJ a ruling was necessary so lawmakers could make informed decisions.