Brexit Impossible without MPs' Approval, Court Rules

The high court in Britain has said the UK cannot trigger the process of leaving the European Union without approval from Parliament.

"The most fundamental rule of the UK constitution is that parliament is sovereign," the Guardian quotes lord chief justice Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, as saying.

The decision, taken within two-and-a-half weeks, is likely to be appealed.

It follows a legal dispute focused on Article 50 of the treaty of European Union, according to which any member state may leave "in accordance with its own constitutional requirements."

Britain voted to leave the EU in June, with Prime Minister Theresa May saying Article 50 would not be triggered before next year.

It is not clear yet, however, what impact the ruling will have on her leverage to negotiate Britain's way out of the EU.