Bilal Rawat KC and John Goss appear for Government defendants in High Court bribery claim

Bilal Rawat KC and John Goss acted for the Ministry of Defence and the Department for Business & Trade at a hearing in the King’s Bench Division before Mr Justice Cavanagh on 17-19 March 2026, in relation to claims arising from corrupt payments made by a UK company, GPT, which was delivering military capabilities in Saudi Arabia on behalf of the UK Government. Following a major Serious Fraud Office investigation, GPT pleaded guilty to making such payments in the Crown Court in 2021, while individual GPT employees were acquitted in 2024. GPT and its parent company, Airbus SE, are also defendants to the claims. The Claimant is a former GPT employee who alleges unlawful means conspiracy, negligence, and misfeasance in public office against the Government defendants.

All defendants save Airbus have applied for summary judgment on the claims based on limitation, while Airbus has challenged jurisdiction.

At the hearing, the Government defendants made a public interest immunity application and an application to maintain confidentiality and apply reporting restrictions over material in the hands of the Claimant and other defendants. Cavanagh J allowed the applications: Foxley v Ministry of Defence & others [2026] EWHC 673 (KB). The summary judgment and jurisdiction applications were adjourned: Foxley v Ministry of Defence & others [2026] EWHC 672 (KB).

Bilal and John, instructed by the Government Legal Department, led a team of counsel from 1 Crown Office Row and Landmark Chambers in this major piece of public /commercial crossover litigation.