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Govt cracks down on baseless legal delays



The government has launched a crackdown on baseless legal challenges that delay new housing and infrastructure projects.


This is taking the form of a consultation on extending judicial review reforms beyond Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) to major housing, transport and energy developments.

This will explore targeted reforms — including limiting repeated unsuccessful attempts to bring claims and introducing clearer court timetables — to prevent “weak and meritless challenges” from holding up these projects.

The proposals build on reforms already introduced through the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and changes to court rules, which streamlined judicial review for NSIPs, helping to reduce delays and ensure cases are resolved more quickly.

The six-week consultation will seek views on whether reforms should focus on major infrastructure projects and other strategically important developments.

It will also consider how any changes can be carefully targeted to avoid undue pressure on court resources while maintaining access to justice.

“Britain needs more homes, better transport links and new infrastructure,” said Sarah Sackman, minister for courts and legal services.

“Legal challenges which lack merit should not be allowed to hold back the developments that create jobs, drive growth and strengthen communities.

“We want to protect access to justice while getting nationally important projects built faster.”



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