Jurisdiction(s):
Ireland

High Court to manage Eircom v BT damages trial over £400m Northern Ireland public-sector network tender, controlling confidentiality and expert evidence after Ofcom’s 2020 breach finding

Published on: 03 July 2025

Published by an LexisNexis Ireland - Commercial expert

Legal News

Article summary

Irish telecom operator Eircom’s damages lawsuit against BT Group over a public-sector contract must be carefully managed to trial to deal with confidentiality issues and other matters, a UK judge told the parties today.

At the High Court in London today, a judge said Eircom’s damages action against BT over a public-sector contract needs tight case management through to trial to address confidentiality and related concerns. Eircom brought the claim after Ofcom in 2020 penalised BT for its behaviour during a tender. Speaking to both sides, Judge Adam Johnson urged them to resolve any confidentiality flashpoints themselves and signalled he had no wish to step in unless it became unavoidable. He also expressed confidence that parties would do everything possible to keep confidential designations to a minimum, noting this was necessary to maintain control over the conduct of the trial. He framed this as the appropriate way to control how the trial unfolds. Representing Eircom, Robert O’Donoghue said a process between the parties is already in train and that the court would be updated if any issues remain outstanding...

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