A high court ruling could prove the knelling bell for a £650m modernisation scheme planned for Northern Ireland schools.

The court ruled the procurement process for the NI Schools Modernisation framework was flawed, and has brought similar projects across the UK to the forefront.

Woodvale Construction, a joint venture between Henry Brothers and FB McKee, took legal action against the Education Department last year, after failing to secure a place on the framework.

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The challenge was raised a matter of days before the Department planned to unveil the successful tenders.

According to Woodvalue, the Department broke EU procurement and competition laws when undertaking the procurement process.

The group had voiced concerns over the Department's alleged decision to found its choice of contractor on the bidder's projected fee percentages, as opposed to the estimated costs for the work.

(PR/JM)