NI: Notice of Devolution served in Brexit cases

Attorney General John Larkin QC
Attorney General John Larkin QC

Attorney General John Larkin QC is set to become involved in two Brexit challenges before the High Court.

The challenges by victims rights campaigner and a cross-party group of MLAs came before Mr Justice Maguire in the High Court this morning.

Both Mr McCord and the MLAs agreed that the Attorney General should become involved in the proceedings.

A Notice of Devolution was subsequently served on Mr Larkin and the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

In a statement, solicitor Ciaran O’Hare of McIvor Farrell Solicitors, representing Mr McCord, said: “Technically, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister may intervene in these proceedings as a Devolution Notice has been served.

“It will be interesting to see what their joint position will be, when of course they remain in separate camps in respect of Brexit.”

A final ruling on what issues will be tried at the hearing on 4-5 October is due to be made by Mr Justice Maguire on Tuesday 27 September.

Mr O’Hare added: “We now only have some two weeks to prepare for what will be the most important constitutional legal case to come before Belfast High Court in recent history.

“It is of course significant that these Northern Irish cases will be heard first before the other challenges which have been brought in the Divisional Court of England and Wales.

“We remain of the view that Mr McCord’s case and that of the cross-party group of MLAs have every chance of success.”

Share icon
Share this article: