A council CEO has rejected a suggestion of “caving in” to judicial reviews amid a DUP call for a report on courtroom challenges.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is currently facing a judicial review over its controversial plans for its new £35m civic centre with proceedings issued in November 2025.
The alleged regularity of legal cases conceded by the council was raised in the chamber and referred to the planning committee.
Mournes DUP councillor Glyn Hanna said: “Lately, I have noticed that the council has conceded on a number of judicial reviews.
“Could I have some records as to what exactly has been conceded on with judicial reviews? I happened to be in Belfast one of the days over Christmas and there was a gentleman with a judicial review and he told me the council was conceding on it.
“Is this a common practice? As I know there are a few others that the council seems to be caving in on very quickly if any one takes a judicial review against them.
“Could I have some information from over the last few years on how many council judicial reviews there have been and what the results of them have been?”
Council CEO Marie Ward replied: “I will ask the officers to table that through the planning committee. And just to say, the council don’t cave in on JRs; they seek legal advice and take any legal advice that is relevant in relation to judicial reviews.”
