The Supreme Court of Britain has ruled that the government cannot trigger Article 50 and initiate the withdrawal from the European Union without consent of Parliament.

The decision, which turns down a government's appeal of the ruling of a lower-instance court, has been approved by a distinct majority of 8 to 3 votes, according to the Guardian.

"In a joint judgment of the majority, the Supreme Court holds that an Act of Parliament is required to authorise ministers to give Notice of the decision of the UK to withdraw from the European Union. Each of the dissenting justices gives a separate judgment," according to a press statement.

While the cabinet has the competence to change treaties, it cannot do so if it will affect people's rights, according to magistrates.

"The 2016 referendum is of great political significance. However, its legal significance is determined by what Parliament included in the statute authorising it, and that statute simply provided for the referendum to be held without specifying the consequences."

"The change in the law required to implement the referendum’s outcome must be made in the only way permitted by the UK constitution, namely by legislation."

However, devolved administrations of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales will not have to be consulted on the issues.

The ruling comes after last week's statement by British Prime Minister Theresa May, who said the country was on a course to "hard Brexit".

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