British Premier Braces for Fresh Brexit Battle

British Prime Minister Theresa May faces a landmark court ruling on Tuesday, which could dent her Brexit plans by handing control of the process to restive lawmakers.

The Supreme Court will decide whether she can use her executive power to begin formal talks on leaving the EU, or whether she must seek prior approval from the parliament, AFP reported.

The 11 judges are widely expected to back an earlier High Court ruling that the magnitude of Brexit means the process to instigate it can only be introduced through formal legislation.

May has promised to trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, beginning two years of divorce talks, by the end of March.

In the event they lose the case, ministers are preparing to rush emergency legislation through the Houses of Commons and Lords.

Opponents would almost certainly table amendments to try to tie the government’s hand in negotiations, for example on the rights of EU citizens already in Britain.

But the vote on Article 50 should pass, because although May has only a slim majority, the main opposition Labor party has agreed not to block it.

The Supreme Court ruling may yet create further complications, including whether the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland must approve May’s plans.

And this week May promised parliament a vote on the final Brexit deal—raising the prospect, however remote, that MPs could reject it.

The original High Court decision in November drew outrage from Brexit supporters who accused the claimants of trying to undo the result of last June’s EU referendum.