High Court Ruling Strengthens Property for Good

By Verity Commercial Services

LONDON, UK – In a High Court judgment handed down on 12 January 2026, a liability order in favour of City of Bradford MBC was upheld against A&P68 Ltd. A judgment from which a stronger Place of Worship scheme can develop. 

The Case 

The case arose from a dispute concerning business rates over a 14-month period from June 2022 to September 2023. The Council argued that A&P68 Ltd remained liable for business rates because the property was unoccupied during the relevant period, while the defendant maintained that Local Faith Ltd was in rateable occupation.

The proceedings required the Court to determine whether the property was rateably occupied and establish ownership during the relevant period.

The Judgment 

Despite a valid lease and sub-lease, the High Court ruled in favour of City of Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council due to limited evidence of occupation by Local Faith Ltd (“Faithful”) during the relevant period. 

This judgment, which concerned a single property, provides important clarification on how genuine occupation is demonstrated in practice and must be considered on each and every occasion and property.

The Court’s findings have positively impacted Faithful’s approach in strengthening its occupation visibility and operational control of properties.

By confirming that business rates liability depends not only on legal entitlement under leases, but on a genuine and practical ability to occupy the property, this ruling offers greater clarification for Faithful to demonstrate its social impact for future decision-making and legal interpretation in this area. 

In a response to the High Court judgement, Verity speaks with confidence and determination, emphasising the progress made in refining its place of worship scheme. Jozef Weill, Managing Director of Verity Commercial Services, stated: 

“This judgment has been pivotal in our approach. We’ve learned countless lessons along the way and are now in a much stronger position.

While some councils have withdrawn because of our improved approach, others continue to challenge us – and we will continue to challenge those cases. We’ve had wins, including in Scotland, and some losses too, but every setback makes us stronger.

This judgment reinforces our commitment and strengthens our positioning moving forward. We welcome the Court’s careful consideration of this matter.” 

Chris Perrin, Addleshaw Goddard, stated: 

“This appeal concerned a historic claim for business rates. Unfortunately, the Court did not accept that Local Faith were in occupation of the subject property at the relevant time to transfer the NNDR liability.

The analysis of occupation is a fact sensitive business and is required on a property by property basis.

The liability order in this case is therefore not an indication of the lack of effectiveness of the Faithful business model which has created many great success stories across the country in making safe and secure spaces available to local faith groups to worship”. 

Faithful views this as an opportunity to enhance the effective use of the premises and reinforce a strong, sustainable approach. 

Looking Ahead 

On behalf of our client, all rates and legal costs associated with this case have been covered by Verity Commercial Services. This experience has strengthened our framework and will make the place of worship scheme even more effective moving forward.

We remain committed to building confidence and delivering a robust solution that benefits both landlords and communities across the UK – a scheme that brings people together, supports responsible property use, and helps faith communities thrive.