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The United Kingdom could still decide to revoke its decision to leave the European Union (EU) without needing the unanimous approval of the other member States, an advocate general of the European Court of Justice said on Tuesday.
“Article 50 of the European Union Treaty authorises the unilateral revocation of the notification of intention to withdraw from the Union,” Advocate General Campos Sanchez-Bordona said, adding that “this possibility remains open until the date on which the withdrawal agreement is concluded.”
The question was put to the Court when Scottish parliamentarians filed a case opposing the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the Union.
British Prime Minister Theresa May activated Article 50 on 29 March 2017, officially launching the withdrawal process, which has to be concluded two years after, on 29 March 2017.
The aim of the seven Scottish men and women who initiated the action is to stop the withdrawal process before that deadline. The British Government opposes this.
The opinion issued on Tuesday by the Advocate General is not binding on the Court, but judges follow such opinions in most cases.
Andy Sanchez
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