High Court grants permission for legal challenge to arms exports to Saudi Arabia

04/07/16

Campaign Against the Arms Trade has been granted permission to apply for judicial review of the Government's decision not to suspend licences for the export of arms to Saudi Arabia. 

CAAT contends that arms exports are in breach of the Government's consolidated criteria, because there is a 'clear risk' that UK supplied arms and components might be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law; and that the Government's decision to the contrary was flawed by a failure to consider relevant considerations, a breach of the duty to make proper enquiries and was irrational. 

After a hearing, Mr Justice Gilbart held that CAAT's grounds for judicial review were arguable in the light of the evidence contained in a number of reports, including that of an expert panel appointed by the UN Security Council, that the coalition led by Saudi Arabia had repeatedly committed serious violations of IHL in Yemen. These included the bombing of hospitals and targeting of civilian areas. Mr Justice Gilbart ordered a substantive hearing before a Divisional Court by February 2017.

Here is a link to a report in The Independent.