PMI Challenge to " Charter Status" rejected by UK Court of Appeal

Story Summary

• APM (Association for Project Management) UK applies for a Royal Charter
• PMI objected at the time
• The Privy Council decided that they were going to recommend a Royal Charter for APM
• PMI raised legal challenges
• The High Court has conducted a judicial review into the objection
• PMI’s objections have been dismissed

The Long and Winding Road

In January 2007, the APM Board resolved to embark on a programme for the association to achieve Chartered Status, become chartered as an organisation, and operate a Chartered practitioner register.

In October 2008 a formal application was submitted to the Privy Council. APM was informed that a committee of the Privy Council had unanimously reached its recommendation that a Royal Charter should be granted to APM in July 2013.

This decision was subsequently challenged by Project Management Institute (PMI), who sought permission for Judicial Review.

In July 2014, the substantive hearing of the Judicial Review claim was duly held, and subsequently, Judge, Mr Justice Mitting, handed down his judgment. The Judge dismissed the claim on all grounds. 

PMI sought permission from the Judge to appeal this decision, which he refused.  PMI  then sought leave to appeal directly from the Court of Appeal.

In December 2014, APM was informed that the Court of Appeal has decided to grant permission to PMI to appeal to Mr Justice Mitting’s decision.  However, in January 2016, the Appeal Court Judges confirmed the earlier decision of the High Court to reject PMI’s appeal. 

March 2016: The Court of Appeal has refused permission for PMI to appeal further to the Supreme Court. The deadline for seeking leave direct from the Supreme Court has passed, and the current judicial process has been concluded.

What next?

The recommendation that APM is granted Chartered status can go before the Queen’s representatives. While there might be some other steps, it seems that it will be ratified, which means Chartered status should be with us soon.