How did the Brexit vote end up in the Supreme Court?

In June, 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union. It was to be an issue that divided a nation. The-then-Prime-Minister David Cameron resigned and Theresa May took the helm. One issue has perhaps taken up more time than most: how and when to invoke Article 50 of the 2009 Lisbon Treaty. May wanted to trigger the two-year exit process by the end of March, 2017. But a legal case ensued, brought by investment manager Gina Miller and hairdresser Deir Tozetti Dos Santos. They argued that Parliament would need to give its authority to begin Brexit negotiations. The government disagreed and challenged a High Court ruling in favour of Miller and Dos Santos. Gina Miller, the lead claimant in the Brexit challenge, has welcomed today’s #SupremeCourt ruling on #Article50 pic.twitter.com/BR3SwsRJyt— Press Association (@PA) January 24, 2017 May wanted to use executive powers known as ‘royal prerogative’ to bypass Parliament. The devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also argued they should be consulted.