Environment groups fear cost rules may deter vital court challenges

RSPB, ClientEarth and FoE launch judicial review of Ministry of Justice's change to costs cap already criticised by UN and peers

Legal challenges to government air pollution standards or to the expansion of Heathrow airport have become too risky financially to pursue under new court regulations, environmental groups are warning.

Changes to cost protection orders brought in by the Ministry of Justice from Tuesday will expose campaign groups to prohibitive costs running into potentially millions of pounds, and deter them from bringing important cases, it is claimed.