07/04/2025 - We Won (again)!

Government loses its appeal in nationally important case for rivers

This week the Court of Appeal delivered a judgment that will require the Government to clean up rivers across the country.

On Wednesday, the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier High Court judgment from December 2023 that the Government and Environment Agency had failed in their legal duties to review, update and put in place specific measures to restore the Costa Beck in North Yorkshire.

Fish Legal and a local angling club, Pickering Fishery Association, successfully challenged the Government's plans in the High Court, arguing that they were too vague and lacked the legally required measures necessary to restore the Costa Beck by tackling the sources of pollution.

A turning point nationally

This comprehensive win for us in the Court of Appeal sets out a blueprint for restoring damaged rivers across the whole country. It should be a turning point for improving river health nationwide.

"This Government came to power promising to clean up rivers, lakes and seas. They could have dropped this appeal, but instead they have dragged out the legal process, wasting time and taxpayer money trying to defend continued inaction to restore not only the Costa Beck, but rivers nationwide." - Penelope Gane, Head of Practice Fish Legal.

With only 16% of waterbodies – 14% of rivers – currently achieving ‘good ecological status’, this ruling against the Government has significant implications for River Basin Management Plans across the country.

“Throughout this whole Costa Beck saga we have seen the Environment Agency flip-flop and frustrate efforts to take the tough regulatory action needed to stop pollution. They need to read this judgment to understand what the law requires of them. To put it bluntly, they need to start prioritising the environment over the interests of polluters.” - Andrew Kelton, Fish Legal Solicitor.

Judgment Day

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