World

European Court Says UK Can Unilaterally Back Out Of Brexit

The EU Court of Justice issued a ruling Monday morning explaining that the process could be done without permission from the other 27 EU states.

European Court Says UK Can Unilaterally Back Out Of Brexit
Court of Justice of the European Union
SMS

A European Union court says the U.K. can unilaterally back out of Brexit.

The EU Court of Justice issued a ruling Monday morning explaining that the process could be done without permission from the other 27 EU states and keep the current agreements it has with the union.

 

According to a statement from the Court of Justice, the U.K. can change its mind as long as the two sides have not entered a withdrawal agreement, or as long as the decision is made within two years of the country letting the EU know it intended to leave. The EU court sided with the non-binding opinion of one of its senior legal officials, who, last week, said the U.K. should be allowed to stay in the bloc. 

If the U.K. decides to leave the Brexit deal, it will still have to follow a democratic process, meaning Britain's Parliament will have to approve. The case will now head back to Scotland's highest court for a final decision. 

The Court of Justice's decision came a day ahead of a planned vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit agreement in the House of Commons. But on Monday, May reportedly postponed the vote. She was already expected to lose by a wide margin. Campaigners against the deal hope the EU court's decision will sway even more people toward staying in the EU. 

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.