Environmental groups and the Ministry of Justice both claimed victory following a ruling on cost caps on environmental challenges.

In The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Others v the Secretary of State for Justice and the Lord Chancellor, Mr Justice Dove ruled that cost-cap hearings should be held in private to protect the privacy of litigants. The groups described the ruling as ‘an important victory’.

The MoJ said: ‘We are pleased that the High Court supports our approach to environmental costs protection, which ensures individuals are not expected to pay above their means. We will address the issue of private hearings and set out our position in due course.’