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OE: Clearing up confusion about Article 50 extension & No Deal as the “legal default”

Some commentators have suggested that the UK leaving the EU on the 29th March without a deal remains the “legal default,” even if the EU27 agree to grant an extension. As Open Europe’s Dominic Walsh points out, this is incorrect: if an extension is granted, the 29th March deadline will no longer apply. There is a provision in the Withdrawal Act for a minister to amend the exit date by moving a Statutory Instrument.

Last week, Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of seeking an extension to Article 50. Whether or not there is a third meaningful vote this week, and regardless of the result, the Prime Minister will seek an extension at the European Council summit on Thursday; a short one if the deal has passed, but a longer one if it has not. Open Europe have previously examined the positions of the EU27 here.

See Open Europe’s website for full article

Channel website: http://openeurope.org.uk/

Original article link: https://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/clearing-up-confusion-about-article-50-extension-and-no-deal-as-the-legal-default/

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