What made the Supreme Court rule in favour of the six councils arguing that the Building Schools for the Future cancellation was unlawful? Adrian Turner examines the legalities and implications for government policy

When education secretary, Michael Gove, decided to axe the previous government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, shortly after the coalition came to power, there was considerable disquiet. Six local authorities decided they were not going to take the decision without a fight and, as a result, a judicial review challenge got under way.