To add to Eyeinethesky's comments, the QC didn't just say it was an odd arrangement, but that it was worthy of challenge in the courts. The union backed NATS, not ATCOs, and refused to obtain an independent legal opinion or give advice to the membership
on their legal liability on the use of deficient equipment. That state of affairs remains unresolved. Let's not forget that the Chairman of the CAA (boss of SRG) picked up an £89,000 pay off from NATS for his efforts.