Written by Stephen C. Tupper

Thames Water has been engaged in battle with Ofwat and Independent Water Networks Limited (“IWNL”) for the right to supply the 67-acre King’s Cross redevelopment site with water and sewerage services for several years. A recent decision from the Court of Appeal has brought proceedings to an end by rejecting Thames Water’s appeal against the judicial review decision which confirmed that Ofwat was acting within its powers by granting an inset appointment to IWNL over the site.

Background

In the UK, water and sewerage services are generally supplied by companies which have been granted regional monopolies. These incumbent companies are, for the most part, the sole providers of water and sewerage services in their designated regions (e.g. Thames Water in London). In an attempt to introduce a level of competitiveness to this market Ofwat are, in some circumstances, able to grant “inset appointments” to third parties who make an application to take over supplying a specific premises within the incumbent’s geographical region (e.g. IWNL for the King’s Cross redevelopment site).
Continue Reading The Battle of King’s Cross