British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's decision to suspend parliament was unlawful, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday.
"The decision to advise her Majesty to prorogue parliament was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification,” Supreme Court President Brenda Hale said.
The ruling by the court's 11 presiding judges follows an emergency three-day hearing last week.
"Parliament has not been prorogued," Hale said. "It is for parliament, and in particular the speaker and the lords speaker, to decide what to do next."
Downing Street said it was "currently processing the verdict".

Trump touts $5,000 payout if Republicans win as Vance waits in wings
Search expands after Philippine ferry fire kills five and leaves dozens missing
Trump says Iran war to end after US midterm elections
US military says it struck vessel in Caribbean, killing 3
At least 14 killed in explosion at weapons depot in Syria
US hits five Iranian oil tankers after attack on Navy ships
UK gives air traffic provider a week to probe outage that halted flights
Serbia's President Vucic dissolves parliament, calls snap elections
