Road from Article 50 to Brexit

Mar 29, 2017: British Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Article 50 of Lisbon treaty, officially informing EU of UK’s intention to leave 28-nation bloc

Mar-Apr: EU-27 draw up guidelines – broad-brush response – on handling talks

2017

Apr 29: Summit of EU-27 at which guidelines on talks – to be led by EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier (below) – and “red lines” that cannot be compromised, are endorsed

May, London: Great Repeal Bill revokes European Communities Act to incorporate some 80,000 EU regulations into British law “wherever practical” and end jurisdiction of European Court of Justice

2017

2017

May-Sep: European Commission develops negotiating mandate which must then be approved by EU-27 before negotiations with UK can begin. It could take as long as six months for EU to decide its opening position

Dec: Barnier wants divorce-first negotiations, delaying talks on any trade deal until Britain agrees to pay €60 billion exit bill, to protect rights of 3.3 million EU nationals living in UK, settle border issues in Northern Ireland and status of Gibraltar

2017

2018 

Mar 2018: London’s preferred deadline for agreeing transition deal. Longer Britain waits increases risk that businesses will move investment away from UK

2018 

Oct: Barnier’s deadline to agree transition deal. This gives five months for ratification by EU member states, European Council and European Parliament

2019

Mar 2019: Ratification of transition deal. UK parliament also votes on deal
Mar 29: Britain leaves EU

Sources: Financial Times, Bloomberg Pictures: Associated Press © GRAPHIC NEWS