The government is facing a legal battle over whether the UK stays inside the single market after it has left the EU. Attorneys say uncertainty over the European Economic Area membership of the UK’s means ministers might be prevented from taking Britain. They are going to argue the UK will not leave the EEA mechanically when it leaves the EU and Parliament should decide. But the authorities said when the EU is left by the UK, EEA membership ends. What has really occurred since Brexit vote? Brexit: The choices The single market permits the tariff-free movement of cash, services, goods and folks within the EU. The EEA expands those benefits to some non-EU participants like Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Non-EU members are outside the Common Agricultural Policy and customs union, but get impediment-free trade together with the single market in return for accepting the free movement of workers and paying into some EU funds. If the courts back the legal challenge and give the final say over EEA membership to Parliament, subsequently MPs could vote to ensure that Britain stays until a long-term trading relationship together with the EU has been concurred. ‘Not automatic’ The pro-single market think tank British Effect is writing to Brexit Secretary David Davis to advise him that it’ll seek a formal judicial review of the government’s position. The group warned that in the event the government did not get a legal opinion that was clear it could possibly end up acting outside regulations. However, many lawyers argue that leaving also would happen if Britain officially removes by triggering Article 127 of the EEA agreement and the EEA wouldn’t be automatic. The legal question is focused on whether the UK is a member of the EEA in its own right or since it’s a member of the EU.
