The UK authorities do not intend to trigger article 50 of the Lisbon treaty initiating the UK’s departure from the European Union in 2016, The Guardian reported quoting the UK government lawyer.

Speaking at the High Court of London lawyer Jason Coppel referred to the statements of PM Theresa May that the article 50 of the Lisbon treaty will not be invoked until the end of the year.

Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on EU says that member state of the EU may decide to withdraw from the union. In order to start similar procedure the country should formally notify Brussels of such an intention followed by negotiations on the release procedure based on the foundations of its future relations with the Union.