Tower Hamlets Council made a decision on the 18 June 2025 to award interim contracts for home care services to some existing suppliers but not to Apasen.
This was because of certain concerns about internal governance and financial controls, which resulted from investigations undertaken on behalf of the council by independent accountants.
Apasen responded by initiating two sets of legal proceedings against the council which challenged that decision. In its claim for judicial review, Apasen asked the High Court to declare that the council had acted unlawfully, and to order the council to enter into interim contracts with Apasen and to make referrals to Apasen.
The High Court has now decided to refuse Apasen permission to continue with its claim for judicial review. Amongst other reasons, the High Court has determined that Apasen’s position in the case was not even arguably correct. In particular, the Court was satisfied that the council had acted rationally and had given proper reasons for reaching its decision.
Although Apasen’s other claim, based upon alleged breaches of the legislation on public procurement, remains in existence, the judge dealing with the judicial review claim has expressed the view that the council’s defence provides a comprehensive answer to the alleged breaches of that legislation.
The council therefore hopes that the litigation will now come to an end. The council welcomes the court’s ruling, and remains confident that its decision-making was robust, lawful and in the best interests of residents.
Posted on Thursday 19th March 2026