Interim relief Granted to Prevent the Transfer of Sovereignty of the Chagos Islands before Judicial Review can be Heard

At around 2.30am on 22 May 2025, the Honourable Mr Justice Goose made an order for interim relief preventing the United Kingdom Government from concluding its negotiations concerning the possible transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory (also known as the Chagos Archipelago) to Mauritius or bind itself as to the particular terms of any such transfer.

The signing of a binding treaty between the United Kingdom and Mauritius which was set to take place on the morning of 22 May 2025 will not now take place.

The order also prevents the Government from disposing of the territory in whole or in part and requires the Government to maintain the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom over the British Indian Ocean Territory until further Order.

Michael Polak, led by Phillip Rule KC of No 5 Chambers, represents the Chagossian clients Mrs Bertrice Pompe and Mrs Bernadette Dugasse, and is instructed by Stuart Luke of Luke and Bridger.

News of the order has been published widely across the national press, including in The Times, Al Jazeera and The Independent.