The UK referendum of 23 June has created political, economic and social uncertainty for the UK.

The Blavatnik School of Government has been asked many questions by our students and researchers. One specific question concerns whether the referendum result itself could trigger process of withdrawal through the Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. We believe we have a role in promoting and informing the debate on government and public policy so we asked Sir Paul Jenkins, Head of UK Government Legal Service (2006-2014), for a legal opinion on the topic.

Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, said: “We are hugely grateful to Sir Paul Jenkins and to Matrix Chambers for agreeing pro bono to provide us with a legal opinion on triggering Article 50. We are making this information public in order better to inform the Europe-wide debate sparked by the referendum.”