In the June 23rd referendum, Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom, voted in for of remaining in the European Union. 56 percent of the population rejected the Brexit but the United Kingdom, as a whole voted in favor.

After that, two legal challenges were put forward; one was brought by the members of Northern Ireland assembly saying that British Prime Minister will have to seek parliamentary approval before triggering Article 50; second was brought by Raymond McCourt, a victims’ rights campaigner, who argued that the 1998 Good Friday Agreement gave Northern Ireland sovereignty and that Brexit would undermine the agreement.

Both of these arguments were rejected by the High court in Belfast today and says that the North Irish government can do nothing legally to prevent UK prime Minister Theresa May from triggering the Article 50 divorce clause.

It is most likely that the British government will trigger Article 50 by March next year and will have two years to negotiate an exit agreement. The pound is down on the news and currently trading at 1.213 against the dollar.