Wainwright Marks Management - Vienna Convention May help Pass Brexit Deal

March 20, 2019 - In order to try and avoid a delay of 21 months for Brexit, Wainwright Marks Management analysts say the UK government is looking to a clause in the Vienna Convention to provide a guaranteed way of escaping the Irish backstop.

This week, UK Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal will probably be voted on in the House of Commons for the third time before May heads to Brussels to attempt to secure an extension of Article 50 but the UK government is seeking alternative ways to gain the support of those opposing May's deal.

Article 62 of the Vienna Convention, a treaty that regulates international treaties and legal processes between countries, states that in the event of unforeseen circumstances arising from the use of the Irish backstop, the UK would be entitled to renege on the agreement with the EU.

Wainwright Marks Management analysts say that one possible scenario would be if the Irish backstop was no longer serving the interests of the Good Friday agreement, this would enable the UK to walk away without any legal recourse.

But some international law experts believe the Vienna Convention clause provides a weak argument at best and that it will not be enough to secure the needed support to gain British parliament support for May's deal.

With less than two weeks until the UK is due to exit the European Union, Wainwright Marks Management analysts say an extension of Article 50 will likely be necessary.