The Scottish Government will intervene over the UK Government's appeal to the Supreme Court on the triggering of Article 50.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed on Tuesday that Scotland's lord advocate will lodge a formal application to be heard in the Brexit case.

The announcement comes a week on from the High Court ruling that full parliamentary consent is required before the formal process of leaving the EU can be instigated.

Later on Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted Theresa May's government the right to appeal the decision, which will begin on December 5.

The challenge, which will be heard before all 11 Supreme Court justices, is expected to last four days.

The court said in a statement: "Judgement will be reserved at the conclusion of that hearing and follow at a later date, probably in the New Year."

Last week, Sturgeon signalled her intention to form a cross-party alliance to block the triggering of Article 50 in parliament if the UK Government fails to retain full access to the single market.

Prime Minister Theresa May's slim majority, coupled with the number of her MPs who either support single market access or voted to Remain, means passing through legislation to start the Brexit process could be problematic for the UK Government.

The Scottish Government's intention to intervene in the case comes after the vote for Brexit put the union between Scotland and the rest of the UK under increasing pressure, with the SNP leader having already warned a second referendum on Scottish independence is now "highly likely".

Making the announcement, Sturgeon said: "The Scottish Government is clear that triggering Article 50 will directly affect devolved interests and rights in Scotland.

She continued: "So legislation should be required at Westminster and the consent of the Scottish Parliament should be sought before Article 50 is triggered.

"Let me be clear - I recognise and respect the right of England and Wales to leave the European Union.

"This is not an attempt to veto that process. But the democratic wishes of the people of Scotland and the national Parliament of Scotland cannot be brushed aside as if they do not matter."

The First Minister added: "The Prime Minister said that on June 23 people across the UK had voted with, in her words, 'emphatic clarity' when they voted by a margin of four points to leave the EU.

"The margin for remain in Scotland was 24 points: a far more emphatic and clear result.

"So the Prime Minister needs to live up to her promise to treat Scotland as an equal partner in the United Kingdom and listen to the will of the people of Scotland."

Responding to the Scottish Government's decision, Scottish Labour Europe spokesperson Lewis MacDonald said: "Labour supports the rights of MPs to hold Tory Ministers to account on Brexit.

"Rather than spending the next six weeks appealing to the Supreme Court, the UK government's time would perhaps be better spent getting on with outlining a clear plan for Brexit.

"Labour supports the objective of getting the best possible deal for Scotland, and that means remaining part of the UK and retaining a close relationship with the EU."

The First Minister said she would not go into the detail of what the Lord Advocate will argue, but made it clear she personally believes the UK Government should seek approval for triggering Article 50 through a legislative consent motion at Holyrood.

The Department for Exiting the European Union responded to the announcement by insisting that no one home nation state should be able to block the UK's route out of the EU.

A spokeswoman said: "It is for the Court to decide on whether this intervention will be granted.

"As we have already said, we believe we have strong grounds for appeal and we are pressing ahead with this.

"We have been clear that the result of the UK-wide referendum should be respected, and that no part of the UK can have a veto.

"However, we are determined to deliver a deal that works for the whole of the UK. We will continue to engage with the Scottish Government and look forward to further discussions in the Joint Ministerial Committee meeting tomorrow."