Thames Water £3bn restructuring plan: public interest intervention

Mr Justice Leech has today handed down judgment sanctioning the Thames Water £3bn restructuring plan following an expedited trial earlier this month: [2025] EWHC 338 (Ch). The judgment can be found here.

The restructuring plan attracted significant public and press attention, especially following a high profile customer interest intervention from Charlie Maynard MP (MP for Witney) who acted on behalf of 25+ Parliamentarians, 34+ charities, campaign and recreational groups (coordinated by Windrush Against Sewage Pollution), and a large number of individual customers.

William Day leading Lucas Jones (and Niamh Davis of XXIV Old Buildings) acted pro bono for Mr Maynard MP instructed by Brett Israel and Simon De Broise of Marriott Harrison LLP.

The Judge concluded, that while he “might have been tempted” to refuse to sanction the restructuring plan given the costs of the interim finance and fees, ultimately after “taking into account the public interest” he would nevertheless sanction the restructuring plan.

Mr Justice Leech commented in his judgment on Will’s “excellent cross examination” of the Thames Water executives and expert witnesses, which meant that the “full costs of the finance and adviser fees were properly brought to the Court’s attention”, as well as “powerful submissions” made by Will on the public interest points. The Judge has given Mr Maynard MP permission to appeal on all grounds sought.

An expedited Court of Appeal hearing is expected within the next fortnight.