In the UK, is it possible to get a referendum by a court decision?












9















After the UK asks for another extension or even leave the EU, is it possible for a person/organisation/group of people to go to court and argue that the difference in polls on the 2016 referendum was too small, and the polls after two years have now shifted towards staying in the EU, and ask the court to "force" a referendum on joining/staying in the EU?










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    9















    After the UK asks for another extension or even leave the EU, is it possible for a person/organisation/group of people to go to court and argue that the difference in polls on the 2016 referendum was too small, and the polls after two years have now shifted towards staying in the EU, and ask the court to "force" a referendum on joining/staying in the EU?










    share|improve this question



























      9












      9








      9








      After the UK asks for another extension or even leave the EU, is it possible for a person/organisation/group of people to go to court and argue that the difference in polls on the 2016 referendum was too small, and the polls after two years have now shifted towards staying in the EU, and ask the court to "force" a referendum on joining/staying in the EU?










      share|improve this question
















      After the UK asks for another extension or even leave the EU, is it possible for a person/organisation/group of people to go to court and argue that the difference in polls on the 2016 referendum was too small, and the polls after two years have now shifted towards staying in the EU, and ask the court to "force" a referendum on joining/staying in the EU?







      united-kingdom brexit






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      edited Apr 2 at 16:49









      David Richerby

      1,713819




      1,713819










      asked Apr 2 at 7:00









      MocasMocas

      410412




      410412






















          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          21















          • Courts have no role in determining how voters would vote today and if that is a reason for a re-election. Otherwise no matter can ever be settled, there is always the possibility of a repeat.

          • If one were to question the accuracy of the count, one should have protested three years ago, with specifics as to the polling stations where fraud and miscounts are suspected.

          • The referendum was legally not binding. It was merely the political decision of important actors to promise to honor it.


          So having a court order another referendum (which I don't think it possible, anyway) would not help.






          share|improve this answer



















          • 2





            I don't think the asker is suggesting that the count of the 2016 referendum was inaccurate; just that the standard shouldn't have been a simple majority. But it's surely too late for that argument, too.

            – David Richerby
            Apr 2 at 16:52











          • Point 1 and 3 are valid. Point 2 implies some kind of statute of limitations on election fraud without citation.

            – Yakk
            Apr 2 at 18:33






          • 1





            @Yakk, there is a statute of limitations on at least some actions against election fraud. See Wilson vs Prime Minister.

            – Peter Taylor
            Apr 2 at 19:00











          • @Yakk Vote lEave have already been found guilty of electoral fraud.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44856992

            – Sarriesfan
            Apr 2 at 19:30











          • @PeterTaylor Yes, that would be an example of a citation that would validate point 2.

            – Yakk
            Apr 2 at 20:29



















          14














          A law court can only ever resolve questions of law.



          The 2016 referendum was a straight in/out referendum so that one vote, either way, above 50% would be legally sufficient to win. Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result. But, even if it were struck down, it wouldn't follow that it would be rerun. That would be a political decision.



          To have the courts opine on a second referendum would require there to be a law requiring a second referendum. That currently isn't the case. That's not to say it couldn't be though. For example, if Parliament had voted for a second referendum, and passed a bill confirming it, but the Government refused to enact it then the courts could (and likely would) be asked to step in.



          It's also worth pointing out that it is unlikely, ever, that the result of an opinion poll (as against an actual poll) would have much legal weight. They are just a sample and usually not a large one at that. They use various statistical techniques to attempt to simulate real poll results but they are, famously, difficult to get right for rare events like UK referendums.






          share|improve this answer





















          • 3





            "Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result." Apparently not, because since it was non-binding there's nothing to challenge. I can't find which of the many High Court judgements states this, but I'm certain that I've read it as a conclusion from one of them.

            – Peter Taylor
            Apr 2 at 14:22






          • 1





            @PeterTaylor If you find it then I'd be interested in seeing it. The referendum was initiated and executed via a bill so is definitely subject to legal challenge. That's quite different from binding the Government to leaving the EU which it most definitely didn't do.

            – Alex
            Apr 2 at 14:54











          • Referendum is a gerundive form, not analogous to, for example, datum, erratum, or bacterium. Pedants therefore generally prefer the plural referendums, since the noun sense of the word does not exist in Latin.

            – phoog
            Apr 2 at 17:06











          • @phoog I've edited it

            – Alex
            Apr 2 at 18:03



















          2














          People could go to court and challenge the legitimacy of the 2016 referendum, for example on the grounds that one of the official parties spent too much money, or that there was a printing error on some ballot papers, or that one of the people counting the ballots was drunk. If such a challenge succeeded, it's not clear what remedy the court could order; it could try to order a re-run, but I doubt that would ever happen. Since Parliament is now treating the referendum result as purely advisory, the court would probably decide that no remedy was needed.



          People could also, I guess, argue that the whole concept of leaving the European Union is some kind of breach of human rights and therefore not within the prerogative of the UK government, referendum or no referendum. Perhaps there's something in EU law that says once EU citizenship has been granted to an individual, a member state can't take it away. I doubt such a challenge would succeed, but who knows.



          But your idea of arguing in court that the winning margin was too narrow or that opinions have changed since the vote was called wouldn't wash. Those are political arguments, not legal arguments.






          share|improve this answer































            1














            A court can intervene in several ways. The main one would be a judicial review, where a court looks at the governments conduct and asks if it was an act that was both legal, and which a reasonable government could have reached by reasonably following the wording of the law.



            For the Brexit referendum, you would have to show that




            • Something in its execution was actually unlawful (breached UK or EU law), or was in some way an executive overreach, or

            • The actual holding of the referendum, or something about the way it was held, was not a reasonable interpretation of the European Union Referendum Act 2015  (the law under which it happened) or some other relevant law.


            No chance of that.



            So you'd have to show that some other action was incorrect. Even a 1 vote majority would be enough for a court to conclude that endorsing the result was not an unreasonable decision. The rest is politics not law, so the courts won't intervene at all.



            If you could identify some specific irregularity, and it may have materially affected the outcome or events, then a court might intervene to remedy it. Also if the events were likely to have been materially affected by something or other, in a manner that is likely to have introduced an unlawful element, then the court might rule accordingly.



            But they won't do so just because some people feel the result is too close, or events aren't what were expected, or because some people may have changed their mind since then (however many polls show it). And in any event, they wouldn't "force" a second referendum as a solution. At most it would rule on the validity and procedure of the existing one, and perhaps issue some kind of ruling or injunction to prevent harm resulting from the invalid act.



            The courts view, put simply, is that if the law wasn't followed, then something can be done. But if the law was followed, it's down to parliament and (moreso) the government - if they want to do anything different, they can, if not, the courts job is to see that the laws of the country have been followed, which they have, and that's the end of it.



            Short answer - not a chance on this case. On another case, if the criteria are met, maybe.






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              4 Answers
              4






              active

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              4 Answers
              4






              active

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              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              21















              • Courts have no role in determining how voters would vote today and if that is a reason for a re-election. Otherwise no matter can ever be settled, there is always the possibility of a repeat.

              • If one were to question the accuracy of the count, one should have protested three years ago, with specifics as to the polling stations where fraud and miscounts are suspected.

              • The referendum was legally not binding. It was merely the political decision of important actors to promise to honor it.


              So having a court order another referendum (which I don't think it possible, anyway) would not help.






              share|improve this answer



















              • 2





                I don't think the asker is suggesting that the count of the 2016 referendum was inaccurate; just that the standard shouldn't have been a simple majority. But it's surely too late for that argument, too.

                – David Richerby
                Apr 2 at 16:52











              • Point 1 and 3 are valid. Point 2 implies some kind of statute of limitations on election fraud without citation.

                – Yakk
                Apr 2 at 18:33






              • 1





                @Yakk, there is a statute of limitations on at least some actions against election fraud. See Wilson vs Prime Minister.

                – Peter Taylor
                Apr 2 at 19:00











              • @Yakk Vote lEave have already been found guilty of electoral fraud.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44856992

                – Sarriesfan
                Apr 2 at 19:30











              • @PeterTaylor Yes, that would be an example of a citation that would validate point 2.

                – Yakk
                Apr 2 at 20:29
















              21















              • Courts have no role in determining how voters would vote today and if that is a reason for a re-election. Otherwise no matter can ever be settled, there is always the possibility of a repeat.

              • If one were to question the accuracy of the count, one should have protested three years ago, with specifics as to the polling stations where fraud and miscounts are suspected.

              • The referendum was legally not binding. It was merely the political decision of important actors to promise to honor it.


              So having a court order another referendum (which I don't think it possible, anyway) would not help.






              share|improve this answer



















              • 2





                I don't think the asker is suggesting that the count of the 2016 referendum was inaccurate; just that the standard shouldn't have been a simple majority. But it's surely too late for that argument, too.

                – David Richerby
                Apr 2 at 16:52











              • Point 1 and 3 are valid. Point 2 implies some kind of statute of limitations on election fraud without citation.

                – Yakk
                Apr 2 at 18:33






              • 1





                @Yakk, there is a statute of limitations on at least some actions against election fraud. See Wilson vs Prime Minister.

                – Peter Taylor
                Apr 2 at 19:00











              • @Yakk Vote lEave have already been found guilty of electoral fraud.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44856992

                – Sarriesfan
                Apr 2 at 19:30











              • @PeterTaylor Yes, that would be an example of a citation that would validate point 2.

                – Yakk
                Apr 2 at 20:29














              21












              21








              21








              • Courts have no role in determining how voters would vote today and if that is a reason for a re-election. Otherwise no matter can ever be settled, there is always the possibility of a repeat.

              • If one were to question the accuracy of the count, one should have protested three years ago, with specifics as to the polling stations where fraud and miscounts are suspected.

              • The referendum was legally not binding. It was merely the political decision of important actors to promise to honor it.


              So having a court order another referendum (which I don't think it possible, anyway) would not help.






              share|improve this answer














              • Courts have no role in determining how voters would vote today and if that is a reason for a re-election. Otherwise no matter can ever be settled, there is always the possibility of a repeat.

              • If one were to question the accuracy of the count, one should have protested three years ago, with specifics as to the polling stations where fraud and miscounts are suspected.

              • The referendum was legally not binding. It was merely the political decision of important actors to promise to honor it.


              So having a court order another referendum (which I don't think it possible, anyway) would not help.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Apr 2 at 7:19









              o.m.o.m.

              11.2k22447




              11.2k22447








              • 2





                I don't think the asker is suggesting that the count of the 2016 referendum was inaccurate; just that the standard shouldn't have been a simple majority. But it's surely too late for that argument, too.

                – David Richerby
                Apr 2 at 16:52











              • Point 1 and 3 are valid. Point 2 implies some kind of statute of limitations on election fraud without citation.

                – Yakk
                Apr 2 at 18:33






              • 1





                @Yakk, there is a statute of limitations on at least some actions against election fraud. See Wilson vs Prime Minister.

                – Peter Taylor
                Apr 2 at 19:00











              • @Yakk Vote lEave have already been found guilty of electoral fraud.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44856992

                – Sarriesfan
                Apr 2 at 19:30











              • @PeterTaylor Yes, that would be an example of a citation that would validate point 2.

                – Yakk
                Apr 2 at 20:29














              • 2





                I don't think the asker is suggesting that the count of the 2016 referendum was inaccurate; just that the standard shouldn't have been a simple majority. But it's surely too late for that argument, too.

                – David Richerby
                Apr 2 at 16:52











              • Point 1 and 3 are valid. Point 2 implies some kind of statute of limitations on election fraud without citation.

                – Yakk
                Apr 2 at 18:33






              • 1





                @Yakk, there is a statute of limitations on at least some actions against election fraud. See Wilson vs Prime Minister.

                – Peter Taylor
                Apr 2 at 19:00











              • @Yakk Vote lEave have already been found guilty of electoral fraud.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44856992

                – Sarriesfan
                Apr 2 at 19:30











              • @PeterTaylor Yes, that would be an example of a citation that would validate point 2.

                – Yakk
                Apr 2 at 20:29








              2




              2





              I don't think the asker is suggesting that the count of the 2016 referendum was inaccurate; just that the standard shouldn't have been a simple majority. But it's surely too late for that argument, too.

              – David Richerby
              Apr 2 at 16:52





              I don't think the asker is suggesting that the count of the 2016 referendum was inaccurate; just that the standard shouldn't have been a simple majority. But it's surely too late for that argument, too.

              – David Richerby
              Apr 2 at 16:52













              Point 1 and 3 are valid. Point 2 implies some kind of statute of limitations on election fraud without citation.

              – Yakk
              Apr 2 at 18:33





              Point 1 and 3 are valid. Point 2 implies some kind of statute of limitations on election fraud without citation.

              – Yakk
              Apr 2 at 18:33




              1




              1





              @Yakk, there is a statute of limitations on at least some actions against election fraud. See Wilson vs Prime Minister.

              – Peter Taylor
              Apr 2 at 19:00





              @Yakk, there is a statute of limitations on at least some actions against election fraud. See Wilson vs Prime Minister.

              – Peter Taylor
              Apr 2 at 19:00













              @Yakk Vote lEave have already been found guilty of electoral fraud.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44856992

              – Sarriesfan
              Apr 2 at 19:30





              @Yakk Vote lEave have already been found guilty of electoral fraud.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44856992

              – Sarriesfan
              Apr 2 at 19:30













              @PeterTaylor Yes, that would be an example of a citation that would validate point 2.

              – Yakk
              Apr 2 at 20:29





              @PeterTaylor Yes, that would be an example of a citation that would validate point 2.

              – Yakk
              Apr 2 at 20:29











              14














              A law court can only ever resolve questions of law.



              The 2016 referendum was a straight in/out referendum so that one vote, either way, above 50% would be legally sufficient to win. Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result. But, even if it were struck down, it wouldn't follow that it would be rerun. That would be a political decision.



              To have the courts opine on a second referendum would require there to be a law requiring a second referendum. That currently isn't the case. That's not to say it couldn't be though. For example, if Parliament had voted for a second referendum, and passed a bill confirming it, but the Government refused to enact it then the courts could (and likely would) be asked to step in.



              It's also worth pointing out that it is unlikely, ever, that the result of an opinion poll (as against an actual poll) would have much legal weight. They are just a sample and usually not a large one at that. They use various statistical techniques to attempt to simulate real poll results but they are, famously, difficult to get right for rare events like UK referendums.






              share|improve this answer





















              • 3





                "Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result." Apparently not, because since it was non-binding there's nothing to challenge. I can't find which of the many High Court judgements states this, but I'm certain that I've read it as a conclusion from one of them.

                – Peter Taylor
                Apr 2 at 14:22






              • 1





                @PeterTaylor If you find it then I'd be interested in seeing it. The referendum was initiated and executed via a bill so is definitely subject to legal challenge. That's quite different from binding the Government to leaving the EU which it most definitely didn't do.

                – Alex
                Apr 2 at 14:54











              • Referendum is a gerundive form, not analogous to, for example, datum, erratum, or bacterium. Pedants therefore generally prefer the plural referendums, since the noun sense of the word does not exist in Latin.

                – phoog
                Apr 2 at 17:06











              • @phoog I've edited it

                – Alex
                Apr 2 at 18:03
















              14














              A law court can only ever resolve questions of law.



              The 2016 referendum was a straight in/out referendum so that one vote, either way, above 50% would be legally sufficient to win. Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result. But, even if it were struck down, it wouldn't follow that it would be rerun. That would be a political decision.



              To have the courts opine on a second referendum would require there to be a law requiring a second referendum. That currently isn't the case. That's not to say it couldn't be though. For example, if Parliament had voted for a second referendum, and passed a bill confirming it, but the Government refused to enact it then the courts could (and likely would) be asked to step in.



              It's also worth pointing out that it is unlikely, ever, that the result of an opinion poll (as against an actual poll) would have much legal weight. They are just a sample and usually not a large one at that. They use various statistical techniques to attempt to simulate real poll results but they are, famously, difficult to get right for rare events like UK referendums.






              share|improve this answer





















              • 3





                "Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result." Apparently not, because since it was non-binding there's nothing to challenge. I can't find which of the many High Court judgements states this, but I'm certain that I've read it as a conclusion from one of them.

                – Peter Taylor
                Apr 2 at 14:22






              • 1





                @PeterTaylor If you find it then I'd be interested in seeing it. The referendum was initiated and executed via a bill so is definitely subject to legal challenge. That's quite different from binding the Government to leaving the EU which it most definitely didn't do.

                – Alex
                Apr 2 at 14:54











              • Referendum is a gerundive form, not analogous to, for example, datum, erratum, or bacterium. Pedants therefore generally prefer the plural referendums, since the noun sense of the word does not exist in Latin.

                – phoog
                Apr 2 at 17:06











              • @phoog I've edited it

                – Alex
                Apr 2 at 18:03














              14












              14








              14







              A law court can only ever resolve questions of law.



              The 2016 referendum was a straight in/out referendum so that one vote, either way, above 50% would be legally sufficient to win. Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result. But, even if it were struck down, it wouldn't follow that it would be rerun. That would be a political decision.



              To have the courts opine on a second referendum would require there to be a law requiring a second referendum. That currently isn't the case. That's not to say it couldn't be though. For example, if Parliament had voted for a second referendum, and passed a bill confirming it, but the Government refused to enact it then the courts could (and likely would) be asked to step in.



              It's also worth pointing out that it is unlikely, ever, that the result of an opinion poll (as against an actual poll) would have much legal weight. They are just a sample and usually not a large one at that. They use various statistical techniques to attempt to simulate real poll results but they are, famously, difficult to get right for rare events like UK referendums.






              share|improve this answer















              A law court can only ever resolve questions of law.



              The 2016 referendum was a straight in/out referendum so that one vote, either way, above 50% would be legally sufficient to win. Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result. But, even if it were struck down, it wouldn't follow that it would be rerun. That would be a political decision.



              To have the courts opine on a second referendum would require there to be a law requiring a second referendum. That currently isn't the case. That's not to say it couldn't be though. For example, if Parliament had voted for a second referendum, and passed a bill confirming it, but the Government refused to enact it then the courts could (and likely would) be asked to step in.



              It's also worth pointing out that it is unlikely, ever, that the result of an opinion poll (as against an actual poll) would have much legal weight. They are just a sample and usually not a large one at that. They use various statistical techniques to attempt to simulate real poll results but they are, famously, difficult to get right for rare events like UK referendums.







              share|improve this answer














              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer








              edited Apr 2 at 18:01

























              answered Apr 2 at 9:29









              AlexAlex

              4,6651223




              4,6651223








              • 3





                "Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result." Apparently not, because since it was non-binding there's nothing to challenge. I can't find which of the many High Court judgements states this, but I'm certain that I've read it as a conclusion from one of them.

                – Peter Taylor
                Apr 2 at 14:22






              • 1





                @PeterTaylor If you find it then I'd be interested in seeing it. The referendum was initiated and executed via a bill so is definitely subject to legal challenge. That's quite different from binding the Government to leaving the EU which it most definitely didn't do.

                – Alex
                Apr 2 at 14:54











              • Referendum is a gerundive form, not analogous to, for example, datum, erratum, or bacterium. Pedants therefore generally prefer the plural referendums, since the noun sense of the word does not exist in Latin.

                – phoog
                Apr 2 at 17:06











              • @phoog I've edited it

                – Alex
                Apr 2 at 18:03














              • 3





                "Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result." Apparently not, because since it was non-binding there's nothing to challenge. I can't find which of the many High Court judgements states this, but I'm certain that I've read it as a conclusion from one of them.

                – Peter Taylor
                Apr 2 at 14:22






              • 1





                @PeterTaylor If you find it then I'd be interested in seeing it. The referendum was initiated and executed via a bill so is definitely subject to legal challenge. That's quite different from binding the Government to leaving the EU which it most definitely didn't do.

                – Alex
                Apr 2 at 14:54











              • Referendum is a gerundive form, not analogous to, for example, datum, erratum, or bacterium. Pedants therefore generally prefer the plural referendums, since the noun sense of the word does not exist in Latin.

                – phoog
                Apr 2 at 17:06











              • @phoog I've edited it

                – Alex
                Apr 2 at 18:03








              3




              3





              "Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result." Apparently not, because since it was non-binding there's nothing to challenge. I can't find which of the many High Court judgements states this, but I'm certain that I've read it as a conclusion from one of them.

              – Peter Taylor
              Apr 2 at 14:22





              "Now, if you can argue (with evidence) that the vote wasn't legally fair then you could challenge the original result." Apparently not, because since it was non-binding there's nothing to challenge. I can't find which of the many High Court judgements states this, but I'm certain that I've read it as a conclusion from one of them.

              – Peter Taylor
              Apr 2 at 14:22




              1




              1





              @PeterTaylor If you find it then I'd be interested in seeing it. The referendum was initiated and executed via a bill so is definitely subject to legal challenge. That's quite different from binding the Government to leaving the EU which it most definitely didn't do.

              – Alex
              Apr 2 at 14:54





              @PeterTaylor If you find it then I'd be interested in seeing it. The referendum was initiated and executed via a bill so is definitely subject to legal challenge. That's quite different from binding the Government to leaving the EU which it most definitely didn't do.

              – Alex
              Apr 2 at 14:54













              Referendum is a gerundive form, not analogous to, for example, datum, erratum, or bacterium. Pedants therefore generally prefer the plural referendums, since the noun sense of the word does not exist in Latin.

              – phoog
              Apr 2 at 17:06





              Referendum is a gerundive form, not analogous to, for example, datum, erratum, or bacterium. Pedants therefore generally prefer the plural referendums, since the noun sense of the word does not exist in Latin.

              – phoog
              Apr 2 at 17:06













              @phoog I've edited it

              – Alex
              Apr 2 at 18:03





              @phoog I've edited it

              – Alex
              Apr 2 at 18:03











              2














              People could go to court and challenge the legitimacy of the 2016 referendum, for example on the grounds that one of the official parties spent too much money, or that there was a printing error on some ballot papers, or that one of the people counting the ballots was drunk. If such a challenge succeeded, it's not clear what remedy the court could order; it could try to order a re-run, but I doubt that would ever happen. Since Parliament is now treating the referendum result as purely advisory, the court would probably decide that no remedy was needed.



              People could also, I guess, argue that the whole concept of leaving the European Union is some kind of breach of human rights and therefore not within the prerogative of the UK government, referendum or no referendum. Perhaps there's something in EU law that says once EU citizenship has been granted to an individual, a member state can't take it away. I doubt such a challenge would succeed, but who knows.



              But your idea of arguing in court that the winning margin was too narrow or that opinions have changed since the vote was called wouldn't wash. Those are political arguments, not legal arguments.






              share|improve this answer




























                2














                People could go to court and challenge the legitimacy of the 2016 referendum, for example on the grounds that one of the official parties spent too much money, or that there was a printing error on some ballot papers, or that one of the people counting the ballots was drunk. If such a challenge succeeded, it's not clear what remedy the court could order; it could try to order a re-run, but I doubt that would ever happen. Since Parliament is now treating the referendum result as purely advisory, the court would probably decide that no remedy was needed.



                People could also, I guess, argue that the whole concept of leaving the European Union is some kind of breach of human rights and therefore not within the prerogative of the UK government, referendum or no referendum. Perhaps there's something in EU law that says once EU citizenship has been granted to an individual, a member state can't take it away. I doubt such a challenge would succeed, but who knows.



                But your idea of arguing in court that the winning margin was too narrow or that opinions have changed since the vote was called wouldn't wash. Those are political arguments, not legal arguments.






                share|improve this answer


























                  2












                  2








                  2







                  People could go to court and challenge the legitimacy of the 2016 referendum, for example on the grounds that one of the official parties spent too much money, or that there was a printing error on some ballot papers, or that one of the people counting the ballots was drunk. If such a challenge succeeded, it's not clear what remedy the court could order; it could try to order a re-run, but I doubt that would ever happen. Since Parliament is now treating the referendum result as purely advisory, the court would probably decide that no remedy was needed.



                  People could also, I guess, argue that the whole concept of leaving the European Union is some kind of breach of human rights and therefore not within the prerogative of the UK government, referendum or no referendum. Perhaps there's something in EU law that says once EU citizenship has been granted to an individual, a member state can't take it away. I doubt such a challenge would succeed, but who knows.



                  But your idea of arguing in court that the winning margin was too narrow or that opinions have changed since the vote was called wouldn't wash. Those are political arguments, not legal arguments.






                  share|improve this answer













                  People could go to court and challenge the legitimacy of the 2016 referendum, for example on the grounds that one of the official parties spent too much money, or that there was a printing error on some ballot papers, or that one of the people counting the ballots was drunk. If such a challenge succeeded, it's not clear what remedy the court could order; it could try to order a re-run, but I doubt that would ever happen. Since Parliament is now treating the referendum result as purely advisory, the court would probably decide that no remedy was needed.



                  People could also, I guess, argue that the whole concept of leaving the European Union is some kind of breach of human rights and therefore not within the prerogative of the UK government, referendum or no referendum. Perhaps there's something in EU law that says once EU citizenship has been granted to an individual, a member state can't take it away. I doubt such a challenge would succeed, but who knows.



                  But your idea of arguing in court that the winning margin was too narrow or that opinions have changed since the vote was called wouldn't wash. Those are political arguments, not legal arguments.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Apr 2 at 22:44









                  Michael KayMichael Kay

                  78336




                  78336























                      1














                      A court can intervene in several ways. The main one would be a judicial review, where a court looks at the governments conduct and asks if it was an act that was both legal, and which a reasonable government could have reached by reasonably following the wording of the law.



                      For the Brexit referendum, you would have to show that




                      • Something in its execution was actually unlawful (breached UK or EU law), or was in some way an executive overreach, or

                      • The actual holding of the referendum, or something about the way it was held, was not a reasonable interpretation of the European Union Referendum Act 2015  (the law under which it happened) or some other relevant law.


                      No chance of that.



                      So you'd have to show that some other action was incorrect. Even a 1 vote majority would be enough for a court to conclude that endorsing the result was not an unreasonable decision. The rest is politics not law, so the courts won't intervene at all.



                      If you could identify some specific irregularity, and it may have materially affected the outcome or events, then a court might intervene to remedy it. Also if the events were likely to have been materially affected by something or other, in a manner that is likely to have introduced an unlawful element, then the court might rule accordingly.



                      But they won't do so just because some people feel the result is too close, or events aren't what were expected, or because some people may have changed their mind since then (however many polls show it). And in any event, they wouldn't "force" a second referendum as a solution. At most it would rule on the validity and procedure of the existing one, and perhaps issue some kind of ruling or injunction to prevent harm resulting from the invalid act.



                      The courts view, put simply, is that if the law wasn't followed, then something can be done. But if the law was followed, it's down to parliament and (moreso) the government - if they want to do anything different, they can, if not, the courts job is to see that the laws of the country have been followed, which they have, and that's the end of it.



                      Short answer - not a chance on this case. On another case, if the criteria are met, maybe.






                      share|improve this answer






























                        1














                        A court can intervene in several ways. The main one would be a judicial review, where a court looks at the governments conduct and asks if it was an act that was both legal, and which a reasonable government could have reached by reasonably following the wording of the law.



                        For the Brexit referendum, you would have to show that




                        • Something in its execution was actually unlawful (breached UK or EU law), or was in some way an executive overreach, or

                        • The actual holding of the referendum, or something about the way it was held, was not a reasonable interpretation of the European Union Referendum Act 2015  (the law under which it happened) or some other relevant law.


                        No chance of that.



                        So you'd have to show that some other action was incorrect. Even a 1 vote majority would be enough for a court to conclude that endorsing the result was not an unreasonable decision. The rest is politics not law, so the courts won't intervene at all.



                        If you could identify some specific irregularity, and it may have materially affected the outcome or events, then a court might intervene to remedy it. Also if the events were likely to have been materially affected by something or other, in a manner that is likely to have introduced an unlawful element, then the court might rule accordingly.



                        But they won't do so just because some people feel the result is too close, or events aren't what were expected, or because some people may have changed their mind since then (however many polls show it). And in any event, they wouldn't "force" a second referendum as a solution. At most it would rule on the validity and procedure of the existing one, and perhaps issue some kind of ruling or injunction to prevent harm resulting from the invalid act.



                        The courts view, put simply, is that if the law wasn't followed, then something can be done. But if the law was followed, it's down to parliament and (moreso) the government - if they want to do anything different, they can, if not, the courts job is to see that the laws of the country have been followed, which they have, and that's the end of it.



                        Short answer - not a chance on this case. On another case, if the criteria are met, maybe.






                        share|improve this answer




























                          1












                          1








                          1







                          A court can intervene in several ways. The main one would be a judicial review, where a court looks at the governments conduct and asks if it was an act that was both legal, and which a reasonable government could have reached by reasonably following the wording of the law.



                          For the Brexit referendum, you would have to show that




                          • Something in its execution was actually unlawful (breached UK or EU law), or was in some way an executive overreach, or

                          • The actual holding of the referendum, or something about the way it was held, was not a reasonable interpretation of the European Union Referendum Act 2015  (the law under which it happened) or some other relevant law.


                          No chance of that.



                          So you'd have to show that some other action was incorrect. Even a 1 vote majority would be enough for a court to conclude that endorsing the result was not an unreasonable decision. The rest is politics not law, so the courts won't intervene at all.



                          If you could identify some specific irregularity, and it may have materially affected the outcome or events, then a court might intervene to remedy it. Also if the events were likely to have been materially affected by something or other, in a manner that is likely to have introduced an unlawful element, then the court might rule accordingly.



                          But they won't do so just because some people feel the result is too close, or events aren't what were expected, or because some people may have changed their mind since then (however many polls show it). And in any event, they wouldn't "force" a second referendum as a solution. At most it would rule on the validity and procedure of the existing one, and perhaps issue some kind of ruling or injunction to prevent harm resulting from the invalid act.



                          The courts view, put simply, is that if the law wasn't followed, then something can be done. But if the law was followed, it's down to parliament and (moreso) the government - if they want to do anything different, they can, if not, the courts job is to see that the laws of the country have been followed, which they have, and that's the end of it.



                          Short answer - not a chance on this case. On another case, if the criteria are met, maybe.






                          share|improve this answer















                          A court can intervene in several ways. The main one would be a judicial review, where a court looks at the governments conduct and asks if it was an act that was both legal, and which a reasonable government could have reached by reasonably following the wording of the law.



                          For the Brexit referendum, you would have to show that




                          • Something in its execution was actually unlawful (breached UK or EU law), or was in some way an executive overreach, or

                          • The actual holding of the referendum, or something about the way it was held, was not a reasonable interpretation of the European Union Referendum Act 2015  (the law under which it happened) or some other relevant law.


                          No chance of that.



                          So you'd have to show that some other action was incorrect. Even a 1 vote majority would be enough for a court to conclude that endorsing the result was not an unreasonable decision. The rest is politics not law, so the courts won't intervene at all.



                          If you could identify some specific irregularity, and it may have materially affected the outcome or events, then a court might intervene to remedy it. Also if the events were likely to have been materially affected by something or other, in a manner that is likely to have introduced an unlawful element, then the court might rule accordingly.



                          But they won't do so just because some people feel the result is too close, or events aren't what were expected, or because some people may have changed their mind since then (however many polls show it). And in any event, they wouldn't "force" a second referendum as a solution. At most it would rule on the validity and procedure of the existing one, and perhaps issue some kind of ruling or injunction to prevent harm resulting from the invalid act.



                          The courts view, put simply, is that if the law wasn't followed, then something can be done. But if the law was followed, it's down to parliament and (moreso) the government - if they want to do anything different, they can, if not, the courts job is to see that the laws of the country have been followed, which they have, and that's the end of it.



                          Short answer - not a chance on this case. On another case, if the criteria are met, maybe.







                          share|improve this answer














                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer








                          edited Apr 2 at 19:23

























                          answered Apr 2 at 18:59









                          StilezStilez

                          2,1082718




                          2,1082718






























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