UK Court Rejects Man’s Bid to Recover 8,000 Bitcoin (£508M) From Landfill

James Howells, a Welsh computer engineer, has yet again suffered another setback in his quest to recover a hard drive containing private keys to 8,000 Bitcoin valued at approximately £508.6 million in current market prices.

In a recent X post, Howells told the crypto community that the UK Court of Appeal had rejected his request to excavate the Docksway landfill, where he accidentally discarded the hard drive in 2013.

Howells Expresses Disappointment

Howells criticized the ruling, calling it an example of the "Great British Injustice System," and accused the state of protecting itself.

“The Great British Injustice System strikes again. The state always protects the state,” he wrote on X.

He added that his next legal step would be to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

In the latest ruling, Judge Christopher Nugee of the UK Court of Appeal stated:

"I do not consider that the proposed appeal has any real prospect of success. There is no other compelling reason why the appeal should be heard and permission must therefore be refused." 

The decision follows a previous High Court ruling on January 9, 2025, where Judge Andrew Keyser similarly dismissed Howells’ claim. At the time, the judge stated that the case had "no realistic prospect" of succeeding at a full trial.

Lost Bitcoin Fortune

Howells’ legal battle stems from Newport City Council’s repeated refusal to permit him to search the landfill. He accidentally discarded the hard drive in 2013 when Bitcoin was valued at just a fraction of its current price.

Over the years, he has assembled a team of experts, secured funding to finance the excavation, and even offered Newport City Council a share of the recovered BTC. However, the council has consistently rejected his requests, citing environmental concerns, cost, and legal restrictions. 

With the Court of Appeal rejecting his bid, Howells' last hope lies with the ECHR.  While the ECHR lacks authority to overturn UK court rulings, a favorable decision could pressure UK authorities to reassess their stance on the case.

Adding to the urgency, the Docksway landfill is expected to close permanently during the 2025-2026 financial year. If the site is shut down before he secures permission, the Bitcoin may be lost forever.