What role for the European parliament under article 50 TEU?

Following the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union in a national referendum there has been much debate over the correct legal process to be followed under both domestic law and the EU Treaties to give effect to this decision. This paper seeks to contribute to these discussions by focusing on an aspect of the withdrawal process which, in the author’s view, has not been given full consideration to date; namely, the need for the consent of the European Parliament before any withdrawal agreement may be completed.