The government does not have legal authority to use royal prerogative powers to trigger Brexit without parliamentary approval, the high court has been told. German trade bodies back Angela Merkel's tough stance over Brexit Read moreThree of the most senior judges – the lord chief justice, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the master of the rolls, Sir Terence Etherton, and Lord Justice Sales – are hearing the challenge, which could have far-reaching political and constitutional effects. “Notification,” Pannick said, “is pulling the trigger and once pulled the bullet hits the target. The government, he said, was also wrong to suggest that the legal challenge “was merely camouflage” to prevent Brexit. It is possible they could intervene at a later stage if, as anticipated, the case is appealed to the supreme court.

Source: The Guardian October 13, 2016 10:18 UTC