The Lawyer has released their Top 20 Cases for 2025 which features 9 members of 11KBW who are involved across 5 cases:
R (on the application of Al-Haq) v Secretary of State for Business and Trade
This case involves the challenge of several decisions by the Department for Business and Trade not to suspend (or, to only partially suspend) the export of weapons and military equipment to Israel. The Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq challenges those decisions. Al-Haq challenges the Government’s most recent decision to continue exporting parts for F-35 fighter jets despite its conclusion that there is a clear risk that those parts will be used in a way that violates international law. The Government says that suspending the export of F35 components would impact the global F-35 supply chain and damage international peace and security.
Zac Sammour and Aliya Al-Yassin are part of the legal team acting for the applicant instructed by Bindmans and Global Legal Action Network.
R (on the application of GB News Ltd) v Ofcom
GB News has brought two judicial reviews challenging Ofcom’s decisions that it had breached the Broadcasting Code. The first judicial review is listed for 2 days from 29 January and concerns GB News’ broadcasting of two editions of ‘Jacob Rees-Mogg’s State of the Nation’, which Ofcom found to have breached impartiality rules relating to the use of politicians reading news items.
The second judicial review has not yet been listed but concerns Ofcom’s finding that GB News breached the Broadcasting Code in relation to its broadcasting of a ‘People’s Forum’ programme featuring the then-Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. Ofcom went on to impose a £100,000 penalty on GB News in relation to this finding.
Christopher Knight, led by Tom Hickman KC, acts for GB News in both claims, instructed by Brown Rudnick.
David Glen, led by Jessica Boyd KC with Rowan Stennett, acts for Ofcom in the Rees-Mogg judicial review.
Anya Proops KC, Zac Sammour and Raphael Hogarth act for Ofcom in the People’s Forum judicial review.
The Pan-NOx Emissions Group Litigation (Dieselgate)
This “unprecedented” group action, arising out of the Dieselgate scandal in 2016, involves 1.2 million claimants who are claiming damages of more than £6bn. They allege that vehicles sold by 19 car manufacturers in the UK contained ‘prohibited defeat devices’ (PDDs) which reduced the effectiveness of emission control systems. This case will be the High Court’s first opportunity to consider the EU Emissions Regulation since the UK withdraw from the EU. Throughout this litigation there have been 13 Group Litigation Orders (GLOs) made, making up approximately 10% of all GLOs ever granted by the English High Court.
The technical trial on PDDs will last for 10-weeks from October 2025, followed by a 3-week trial for closing submissions in Spring 2026 and an 8-week quantum trial expected to be listed in October 2026.
Ruth Kennedy led by Charles Dougherty KC acts for the Suzuki defendants, instructed by Hogan Lovells.
The New Lottery Company Limited and Northern & Shell PLC v The Gambling Commission
This case is listed for 8 week from October and follows the Gambling Commission’s public procurement of the Fourth National Lottery Competition contract valued at £10bn. The competition was looking to secure the next operator for the lottery.
Following a two-year procurement process The New Lottery Company (TNLC) and Northern & Shell (N&S) felt they were in a strong position to secure the contract and become the next operators. After the contract was awarded to Czech-owned Allwyn Entertainment, the defeated parties challenged the decision’s fairness, alleging serious breaches of contract-awarding regulations through High Court litigation. This hearing follows on from this litigation.
Joseph Barrett KC leading Malcolm Birdling acts for the interested parties, Allwyn Entertainment, Allwyn International AS and Camelot UK Lotteries instructed by Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.
The Public Institution For Social Security v Al Rajaan and others
This $1bn+ Commercial Court fraud claim brought by the Kuwaiti social security system and pension fund will commence in March, and is due to run for almost a year. PIFSS advances allegations of bribery and corruption spanning three decades against its former Director General, the late Fahad Al Rajaan, as well as multiple intermediaries and financial institutions, contending that Al Rajaan procured hundreds of millions of dollars in unauthorised secret commissions.
Amy Rogers KC appears with Camilla Bingham KC and Harry Stratton for EFG Bank, instructed by Susanna Charlwood and Matt Skinner at A&O Shearman.
