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2024 Supreme Court Ruling Allows Sewage Claims Against Water Companies; Appeal Allowed

Jul 2, 2024, 10:52 AM

In a landmark judgment in 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd in its case against United Utilities Water Ltd, allowing private law claims over sewage discharge. The judgment, UKSC 22, determined that actions are not barred even in the absence of negligence or misconduct by statutory sewerage undertakers. The appeal was allowed, opening the door for thousands of potential claims from fishing clubs, swimmers, and riparian owners against water companies for nuisance or trespass related to sewage dumping.