‘Substantive hearing’ to take place in November on judicial review of City of London Police’s handling of the investigation in Southport’s 79th Group
Former owners of collapsed Southport investment venture 79th Group have secured a judicial review hearing for November into the police investigation into the business.
In February 2025 the City of London Police carried out raids as part of a fraud investigation into the business which raised funds from investors to put into real estate, wealth and aviation projects as well as mining operations in countries such as Canada and Guinea.
In June 2025 owners of the 79th Group, the Webster family, served the Commissioner of City of London Police and Southwark Crown Court with judicial review proceedings, surrounding the lawfulness of the warrants.
In February 2026, following a hearing at the High Court, the Judicial Review was granted permission, and it has now been confirmed that the substantive hearing will take place in November of this year.
This is a significant development of the case – only a very small percentage of Judicial Review’s receive permission.