HIPs delayed until August

So, following an interim restraining order from the Administrative Court preventing her from bringing in requirement for house sellers to produce Energy Performance Certificates pending the full hearing of RICS’s judicial review, Ruth Kelly has decided to beat a tactical retreat and consult on RICS’s proposals for detailed changes to the EPC rules., and delay introduction of HIPs in their entirety until 1 August. Even then, she’ll phase them in starting with four-bedroom homes (which means some poor government lawyer will have to think of a way of http://www.magliettedacalcioit.com defining four-bedroom houses in regulations in a way that can’t easily be got round). Ruth Kelly’s statement can be read here.

What I don’t understand is whether RICS and the government have actually agreed a stay of the JR proceedings, or not. Ruth Kelly clearly told the House she’d reached agreement with RICS. But RICS says proceedings have been stayed, but this is on the basis of an agreement there be twelve weeks of consultation. There are only ten weeks until 1 August.

What on earth’s going on?