LONDON — A senior British court Thursday dealt a severe blow to Prime Minister Theresa May’s plans to begin the process of exiting the European Union early next year, ruling she must get Parliament’s approval before she acts.

The decision greatly complicates May’s stated plan to trigger Article 50 — the never-before-used mechanism for a country to leave the European Union — by the end of March at the latest.

Most members of Parliament opposed Brexit in the lead-up to Britain’s June referendum, when voters opted for an exit by a 52-to-48 margin. But it risks setting off an angry backlash from voters who favor leaving the European Union and believe the issue was settled.

For the government, meanwhile, it boosted the chance that May will have to call a new election next year to seek a mandate to begin negotiations for the EU divorce.

May’s lawyers had argued that she had the right to begin the Brexit process without first getting Parliament’s consent, given the referendum result. But a three-judge panel on the London-based High Court sided with a group of plaintiffs who contended that Parliament must first weigh in.

‘‘The most fundamental rule of the U.K.’s constitution is that Parliament is sovereign and can make and unmake any law it chooses,’’ the judges wrote. ‘‘As an aspect of the sovereignty of Parliament it has been established for hundreds of years that the Crown — i.e. the Government of the day — cannot by exercise of prerogative powers override legislation enacted by Parliament.’’

A statement from May’s office at 10 Downing St. said it was ‘‘disappointed’’ by the ruling and would appeal to the Supreme Court. Justices are expected to take the case next month.

May’s office also said ‘‘the government is determined to respect the result of the referendum,’’ and a spokesman insisted that Article 50 would still be triggered on the original timeline.

But analysts said that process could now be significantly delayed, especially if the Supreme Court rules Parliament should have a vote not only on whether the government triggers an exit but also on the substance of British demands in the breakup talks with Europe.

The court’s decision stunned British political and legal observers — just as the referendum outcome also defied predictions that voters would favor staying in the European Union. Until Thursday, most analysts believed the court would side with the government. The High Court in Northern Ireland had even ruled as recently as last week that May’s government could bypass Parliament.

The opposite decision Thursday, by a court representing England and Wales, sets a new legal course and leaves it to the Supreme Court to ultimately sort out.

The ruling sparked an immediate rally in Britain’s beleaguered currency, the pound, as traders reacted to the possibility that Britain’s EU exit could be significantly delayed — or even blocked.

The pound has been battered since the referendum and has been one of the worst performing currencies anywhere in the world this year. London’s FTSE exchange remained down slightly despite the announcement, but other markets, including France’s CAC, were higher.

Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, said the ruling is ‘‘an example of the uncertainty that will characterize this process.’’

‘‘The negotiations haven’t even begun,’’ he said at a news conference. ‘‘There will be volatility as those negotiations proceed.’’

Pro-Brexit advocates quickly denounced the decision, saying it amounted to a betrayal of the public’s will.

‘‘I now fear every attempt will be made to block or delay triggering Article 50,’’ tweeted Nigel Farage, a Brexit champion. ‘‘They have no idea level of public the anger they will provoke.’’

Suzanne Evans, a candidate to succeed Farage as leader of the UK Independence Party, added a condemnation of ‘‘activist judges’’ who ‘‘attempt to overturn our will.’’

‘‘Time we had the right to sack them,’’ she wrote.

Pro-EU politicians, meanwhile, celebrated the decision and called on May to share with Parliament her negotiating strategy — something she has steadfastly refused to do.

‘‘So far May’s team have been all over the place when it comes to prioritizing what is best for Britain, and it’s time they pull their socks up and start taking this seriously,’’ Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said in a statement. His call was echoed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Pro-EU leaders also pointed to what they described as hypocrisy on the Brexit side. One prominent argument for getting out of the European Union was to restore the sovereignty of Parliament. But, in this case, anti-EU leaders want Parliament nowhere near a decision that carries huge ramifications for the country’s future.

The court ruling — assuming it is not overturned on appeal — sets up a crucial decision for the 650 representatives in Britain’s House of Commons. Members of the ruling Conservative Party were almost evenly split on whether Britain should stay in the European Union or leave when the country voted June 23. But solid majorities of the other major parties in Parliament — including Labour, the Scottish National Party, and the Liberal Democrats — all opposed an exit.