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The project to create a UK Supreme Court has appointed contractor Kier Group as preferred bidder. EC Harris partner Graham Matthews is acting as independent construction consultant on the £30m scheme to transform the grade II Middlesex Guildhall building in Parliament Square.

Lord Falconer announced the appointment of Kier on Tuesday. He said the Department for Constitutional Affairs expected to reach financial close with the firm early in the new year. He added that the project was on target to deliver the new court for the start of the legal year in October 2009.

Westminster City Council has granted planning permission for the project subject to formal authorisation from English Heritage and completion of the section 106 agreement. The DCA is currently thrashing out the terms of the agreement with English Heritage and the council.

Foster and Partners withdrew from a consulting role on the scheme in August. The reason for this move remains unclear.

The DCA also wants to build extra courts in Isleworth but its initial planning application was refused by London Borough of Hounslow. An appeal against the decision is to be heard on 15 and 16 November with a decision expected early next year.