Woods v MK: a case which demonstrates the increased appetite for bid protests in the public sector

Cecily Davis writes for Construction News on the substantial rise in public procurement litigation cases in the UK

A shrinking public purse in these times of austerity has increased appetite for bid protest. With fewer tenders and increased competition, disgruntled bidders now appear more conscious of their rights, and much less wary of challenging what they perceive to be unjust awards.

Whatever the case, there is now more public procurement litigation than there has ever been, but Woods Building Services v Milton Keynes Council brilliantly illustrates this increased appetite for challenging public procurement decisions. It is a case brought by the incumbent service provider, when the process of evaluation ultimately delivered an unexpected result.

This article was first published in Construction News - click here for the full article (subscription needed)