The hearing is scheduled for the second week of February, PSNC said.

However, the judge “has indicated” that if the government asks for a later hearing date, then “the question will arise of whether there should be a delay in the implementation of [the funding cuts] while the case is ongoing”, PSNC added.

The negotiator announced earlier this month that it had sought a judicial review, on the grounds that the Secretary of State “failed to carry out a lawful consultation” on the proposals for the sector.

Two weeks later, the National Pharmacy Association announced that it is also planning to take its legal challenge against the cuts to the High Court.

Read C+D’s exclusive interview with PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe – where she explains why its legal challenge shows it has reached the “end of the road” with the Department of Health – here.