Standstill just got riskier. Here's why.

On 1 May 2026 the High Court handed down Parkingeye Ltd v Velindre University NHS Trust [2026] EWHC 1019 (TCC) - the first judgment under the Procurement Act 2023. Two NHS bodies asked to be released from an automatic suspension so they could sign a car park contract. Both applications were dismissed. The court has now confirmed that under PA23 the public interest will generally favour keeping the suspension in place - a significant departure from the old position.

In plain terms: a bidder who issues proceedings inside the 8-working-day standstill can stop your award, and you're far less likely to shake them off.

The risk almost always sits in the assessment summary. PA23 requires scores, the full criteria, weightings and methodology, and an explanation for each score by reference to the tender. A thin summary invites a bidder to go looking and their clock starts the day they receive it.

So: prepare you procurement files audit ready, write assessment summaries as though a judge will read them, moderate properly, and build the audit trail during the procurement rather than after the letter lands. The best challenge response is the one you never have to write.

Heading into standstill, or already had a bidder come back to you? Get in touch - anna@agmprocurement.com or 07538 463234.