Good Law Project secures cost-capping order for PPE judicial review

The Good Law Project has secured a cost-capping order in its judicial review challenge over the award of PPE contracts without advertisement or competition, although the sum is two and a half times the limit it sought.

The not-for-profit organisation’s challenge is to the contracts awarded to Pestfix, Ayanda and Clandeboye.

The Good Law Project claimed that the Government had said it would cost £1m to defend the case.

It sought a cap on its exposure to the Government’s legal costs of £100,000. However, the court granted a cost-capping order of £250,000.

The Good Law Project said: “It means that if we lose the case, we are liable to pay a quarter of a million pounds to Government, as well as needing to cover our own legal costs. Despite huge support from members of the public, generous individuals and organisations, we are still short.

“But we will not be bullied out by costs. This case, which we are bringing alongside EveryDoctor, is simply too important.”

It added: “We will fight this case to its conclusion.”

The case will be heard in court in May.

Last week the Good Law Project secured a High Court ruling that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care had acted unlawfully by failing to comply with the Government’s ‘Transparency Policy’ when procuring PPE (personal protective equipment) during the pandemic.

In GLP & Others v SSHSC Mr Justice Chamberlain also concluded that the Good Law Project – but not three MPs – had standing to bring the claim.