Citation: [2025] EWHC 2634 (TCC)
The High Court has ruled in favour of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), allowing it to proceed with awarding a multimillion-pound contract for global medical support to Healix International, despite legal objections from the incumbent provider, International SOS Assistance UK.
The dispute arose from a procurement process launched in October 2024. In March 2025, the MoD announced its intention to award the contract to Healix. International SOS challenged the decision, triggering an automatic suspension under regulation 95 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
In this judgment, handed down on 20th October 2025, Mr Justice Eyre lifted the suspension, citing public interest and the need for readiness under the 2025 Strategic Defence Review. He acknowledged that damages might not fully compensate International SOS but concluded that the urgency and benefits of the new contract outweighed the risks. The application for an expedited trial was also denied.
Rhodri Williams KC of Keating Chambers represented the MoD (defendant) alongside Jonathan Lewis of Monckton Chambers, instructed by the Government Legal Department.
Link to full judgment on Bailii: International Sos Assistance UK Ltd v Secretary of State for Defence [2025] EWHC 2634 (TCC) (20 October 2025)
