There are so many unknowns and so much of confusions with regard to Article 50 that policymakers in the UK are literally debating what to do and how to do it. This is such an unprecedented event and since no one could foresee at the time of making the rules that a country will choose to exit, processes are not formalized. Rules are now literally being written, suggested and debated all across the Europe.

What are the confusions?

• Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which is available here, http://www.lisbon-treaty.org/wcm/the-lisbon-treaty/treaty-on-European-union-and-comments/title-6-final-provisions/137-article-50.html is a relatively vague text of a less than 300 words which doesn’t say much about the exit.
   
• Lawmakers in the UK are not exactly clear about the legal requirements of triggering the Article 50. The referendum, contrary to the popular opinion is not enough since the referendum is not legally binding. Some say a vote in the parliament would be required, while others say Prime Minister can trigger that. The government may have a parliamentary vote on repealing the European Communities Act before any things are done by prerogative.
   
• Another big confusion is whether the UK can hold a second referendum once the Article 50 is triggered or can the UK withdraw from the process after triggering. If not, even with the second referendum win for the “Remain” camp, the UK may be subjected to Article 49, which is the fresh joining article.
   
• Another confusion is with regard to Article 50 exit arrangements. It doesn’t detail out whether it needs to be the terms of the departure of full agreement on future UK relationship with the EU.