Yesterday’s Court hearing

We are pleased to report that the High Court has ordered the Government to pay 75% of our costs in our successful legal challenge against Michael Gove for the unlawful award of a contract to associates of his and Dominic Cummings at Public First. 

Government had planned to ask for permission to appeal the ruling but last night decided this wouldn’t be wise and withdrew, belatedly accepting their conduct over the Public First contract had been unlawful. 

They did however still attempt to argue in Court today at the costs hearing that we hadn’t won on every ground in our challenge, so the Court should make a costs order which reflects the ‘relative success of both parties’. Yet however Government try to spin this ruling in the press, the Judge today was crystal clear as to who won this case:

“In this case, it is clear to the court that the claimant (Good Law Project) was the overall successful party in the case…it sought a ruling that the decision to award the contract to Public First was unlawful, and the Court has made a ruling to that effect. Also, it was successful in defeating the Defendant’s arguments about standing.”

Our work is far from over, but for now, we take a moment to celebrate this win. Thank you, as ever, for all your support.  

It is only with your support that we can continue to hold Government to account. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so here.