THE outcome of Christchurch council’s legal challenge to block the merger with Bournemouth and Poole is set to have significant financial implications whatever the outcome.

As reported by the Daily Echo, a High Court judge granted permission for the local authority’s judicial review application to be heard by Friday, July 27.

The date for the hearing is expected to be confirmed this week and Christchurch Borough Council officers are in the process of working with legal advisors preparing their case against the Government.

It is understood the progression of the legal challenge has ignited a major potential financial concern, alongside the threat of derailing Local Government Reorganisation in Dorset.

Christchurch Borough Council has set aside £200,000 to cover legal fees, however estimates suggests the losing party at the High Court faces the prospect of a bill in the region of £800,000 to £1m to cover the costs of the other parties. This could spiral if the hearing stretches over two days on top of the related legal costs.

It is not yet known what exact action will be taken by the Government and Dorset’s eight pro-merger councils to remedy the situation if Christchurch Borough Council is successful in its legal challenge.

If the lone opposing council to the reorganisation is unsuccessful any financial burden is likely to impact on the new unitary authority, which Christchurch Borough Council would be part of.

A joint statement from the eight councils in support of the mergers said they were “not surprised” that the High Court go ahead was given and they “fully expect” the review to find the Secretary of State’s decision was made lawfully.

The Judicial Review application has been ordered by Christina Lambert who was appointed to the role of Justice of the High Court in January this year.

Her practice before taking on this role focused on clinical negligence, professional regulation, inquests and inquiries.

This included taking the role of leading counsel to the Dame Janet Smith Review, which was established by the BBC to undertake an independent investigation into alleged misconduct by Jimmy Savile and the relevant culture and practices at the BBC.

Five years ago she was appointed as lead counsel to the new inquests into the 96 football fans who died as a result of the Hillsborough Stadium Disaster in 1989. The jury in these inquests returned a verdict of unlawful killing in respect of all fatalities, which provided some justice for the families.