Will the United Kingdom still be in a position to formally notify its 27 European partners, by the end of March next year, of its intention of leaving the EU, as the country's prime minister, Theresa May, announced in early October? This timetable is looking shakier today, as the High Court of London ruled on Thursday 3 November that the British government must secure the approval of Parliament before triggering the divorce procedure, by means of Article 50 of the Treaty of the EU.