Buried Treasure: The $660 Million Bitcoin Hunt Blocked by UK Courts

TLDR

Table of Contents

James Howells lost his appeal to search a UK landfill for a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin (worth ~$660 million)
The UK Court of Appeal rejected his case, stating there was “no real prospect of success”
This marks his second failed legal attempt after the High Court previously dismissed his case
Howells plans to file a case with the European Court of Human Rights as his “last legal option”
The Docksway landfill is reportedly set to close during the UK’s 2025-2026 financial year, adding time pressure

James Howells, a UK resident who accidentally lost a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin in 2013, has failed in his latest legal attempt to search a Welsh landfill for his missing fortune.

No real prospect of success

The UK Court of Appeal rejected Howells’ application on March 13, 2024. Judge Christopher Nugee stated there was “no real prospect of success” and “no other compelling reason” why the case should be heard.

This marks Howells’ second legal defeat in his quest to recover the Bitcoin. His initial case was dismissed by High Court Judge Andrew Keyser on January 9, who similarly found “no realistic prospect” of success at a full trial.

The lost Bitcoin is currently valued at approximately $660 million. This massive sum has motivated Howells to pursue every legal avenue available to recover his digital assets.

Howells’ hard drive ended up in the Docksway landfill in Newport, Wales in 2013. According to Howells, his former partner accidentally disposed of a bag containing the device.

City Council has repeatedly denied permission to search the landfill site

Newport City Council has repeatedly denied Howells permission to search the landfill site. The council has maintained its position despite Howells’ continued legal efforts.

The lost Bitcoin represents a substantial fortune that has grown dramatically in value since 2013. Few predicted Bitcoin would reach such high values when Howells first acquired his coins.

Howells shared his reaction to the latest rejection on social media. “Appeal request to the Royal Court of Appeal: refused. The Great British Injustice System strikes again… The state always protects the state,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter) on March 14.

Following the Court of Appeal’s decision, Howells announced his intention to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He described this as his “last legal option.”

Howells plans to file his ECHR claim in the “coming weeks.” His case will argue that UK courts breached his right to property and right to a fair trial under Articles 1 and 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

While the ECHR cannot overturn UK court decisions, a ruling in Howells’ favor would call on UK courts to reconsider their interpretation of legislation. This could potentially open a new pathway for Howells’ recovery efforts.

Time is running out

Time may be running out for Howells’ search plans. According to a February 9 report by BBC News, the Docksway landfill is scheduled to close during the UK’s 2025-2026 financial year.

Howells has reportedly assembled a consortium of investors willing to back an attempt to purchase the landfill from Newport City Council. This represents another potential approach to gaining access to the site.

“The British establishment wants to sweep this under the carpet, and I will not let them. It will not go away — no matter how long it takes!” Howells stated in communications with media outlets.

This case highlights the importance of properly securing self-custodied cryptocurrency. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for Bitcoin holders about the risks of inadequate storage solutions.

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