Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Surplus definition

What does Surplus mean? Surplus describes the excess of assets over liabilities in a fund, estate or entity at the end of a financial period, after allowing for movements in liabilities during that period. In with-profits life insurance, the surplus of a with-profits fund is the excess remaining once recognised liabilities (including technical provisions) are covered; it is used to support policyholder distributions by way of bonus declarations, or retained under smoothing to strengthen the fund’s “estate”. The term is a descriptive expression used across legal contexts rather than a single statutory definition. In insurance, its treatment is shaped by UK regulatory rules (including FCA/PRA...

Right to Contest: Challenging Retention of Surplus Public Land by Central Government, Arms’ Length Bodies and Local Authorities—Eligibility, Application Process, Decision Criteria and Timescales

Published by a LexisNexis Planning expert

Practice notes

What is the right to contest?

The right to contest was announced by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 8 January 2014. It offers a route for anyone to request the sale of publicly owned land or buildings that appear surplus or redundant where they could generate stronger economic value. Introductory guidance explaining how the right functions and the steps applicants must follow, together with a standard application form, has been published by the Treasury and the Cabinet Office.

Purpose

The government holds or occupies a considerable volume of surplus or redundant land that Ministers believe could be better utilised. The right is designed to unlock this supply of previously inaccessible developed land. By disposing of central and local government sites or property that are not being used, the government aims to release locations for more productive economic activity, supporting local growth—for instance by enabling new homes and encouraging business development.

Who can use the right?

Anyone may use the right to contest—including businesses, local authorities and members of the public—to challenge the government about a site, as long as...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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