CMS advises The All England Lawn Tennis Club in landmark High Court victory over Wimbledon expansion
CMS has successfully advised The All England Lawn Tennis Club in a significant High Court victory regarding the proposed expansion of The Championships, Wimbledon. This high-profile case was named as one of The Lawyer’s Top 20 Cases of 2026.
The case concerned whether a statutory trust impeded the proposed site for the development – the former Wimbledon Park golf course. The case was brought as objector groups had argued that the golf course land was held under a statutory public recreation trust and could therefore not be developed.
Following a 6-day trial in January 2026, the judgment, handed down by Mr Justice Thompsell on 19 March 2026, found the land was not subject to any public recreation trust. The judge held that the land was "never appropriated or dedicated to the use of public recreation" and was instead "used as a private golf club", concluding that The All England Lawn Tennis Club’s freehold interest was "unencumbered by any statutory trust".
The proposed expansion will see the development of 38 new tennis courts, including 28 new grass courts, and a brand-new 8,000-seat show court. It will also deliver 27 acres of new public parkland. The development will enable the Qualifying Competition to be hosted on site for the first time, bringing The Championships into line with the other Grand Slam tournaments.
Read the full judgment here: High Court Judgment Template.
Commenting on the ruling, CMS Co-Head of Real Estate Disputes and Partner Nick Wood said: “We’re delighted to have advised The All England Lawn Tennis Club on this important dispute. The judgment provides legal clarity on the status of the former golf course land and represents a significant milestone for the Club's transformative plans. It has been a privilege to support the Club in achieving this outcome.”
The CMS team was led by Nick Wood, and included Jerome Stedman, Annabel Barrett and Luben Roussev (Real Estate Disputes); and Ashley Damiral, Sam Porter and Jasmine Kobewka (Planning). CMS instructed Jonathan Karas KC (Falcon Chambers), James McCreath and Jonathan Chew (both Wilberforce Chambers).
This case is distinct from the ongoing appeal of the High Court’s ruling to dismiss the Judicial Review of the GLA’s decision to grant planning permission for the development.
