Legal Updates

The High Court’s decision in New Lottery Company v Gambling Commission [2026] EWHC 891 (TCC) provides an important reminder of the evidential and legal burden facing claimants in complex procurement disputes.
The case arose from the award of the fourth UK National Lottery Licence to Allwyn. The incumbent operator’s bid vehicle, New Lottery Company, challenged the procurement process, including the evaluation and scoring of bids, as well as subsequent modifications made to the licence after award. Damages of up to £1.3 billion were reportedly sought.
The Court dismissed the claims in their entirety.
For lawyers, public bodies, developers, investors and other stakeholders involved in regulated procurement processes, the judgment is significant. It reinforces the Court’s reluctance to interfere with complex procurement evaluations unless there is a clear legal basis to do so. It also highlights the commercial impact that procurement challenges can have, even where they ultimately fail.

The Irish Government’s proposed Civil Reform Bill 2025 represents one of the most significant overhauls of civil litigation in decades. At its core sits a fundamental reconfiguration of judicial review, a mechanism which has long been central to planning, infrastructure, and environmental disputes.

For lawyers advising on development risk, the reforms are both commercially material and legally nuanced. They promise greater procedural certainty and speed, yet have prompted notable concern within the legal community regarding access to justice and the recalibration of long-established principles.

On 21 July 2025, the High Court dismissed a high-profile judicial review challenge brought by Save Wimbledon Park Ltd against the Mayor of London. The case centred on the Mayor’s decision to grant planning permission for the expansion of the All England Lawn Tennis Ground (AELTG) across 39.7 hectares of Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), including the Wimbledon Park Golf Course.
Presided over by Mr Justice Saini, the judgment offers important insights into the interaction between planning decisions, legal constraints such as restrictive covenants, and the treatment of heritage and recreational land under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). For law firms advising developers, local authorities, or community groups, the case provides a timely and instructive precedent.

The Scottish Government’s recent approval of the Berwick Bank offshore wind farm marks a significant moment for the UK’s renewable energy sector. Located in the North Sea, this SSE Renewables-led project is set to become one of the largest offshore wind farms globally, with the capacity to generate electricity for every home in Scotland twice over each year. The scheme represents the scale of ambition required to achieve the UK’s net zero targets.