A High Court battle over where the remains of King Richard III should be reburied was adjourned as another party was added to the legal fray.
Descendants of the monarch have brought the action in what has been described as “the Wars of the Roses part two”.
Hopes the case may not have to return to court were raised when it was revealed there could be further consultations between the warring factions.
Richard’s remains were discovered buried under a council car park in Leicester last year and the plan is for them to be reinterred at the city’s cathedral.
The descendants have formed the Plantagenet Alliance Ltd to fight for the remains to be buried at York Minster, claiming it was the king’s wish.
A High Court judge previously gave the alliance permission to bring judicial review proceedings against the UK justice secretary and Leicester University.
The legal challenge concerns the justice secretary’s failure to consult before giving archaeologists from the university licence to excavate and decide where the bones should be reburied.
Three High Court judges ruled the case must be adjourned to a later date so Leicester City Council can be added to the list of parties.
Lady Justice Hallett, sitting with Mr Justice Ouseley and Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, said: “We are satisfied there is clearly an issue to be determined as to whether or not Leicester City Council has a role to play as a decision maker.”
Norman Palmer QC, appearing for the council, announced it could be in favour of further out-of-court consultation to resolve the issues raised by the case.
Gerard Clarke QC, for the Plantagenets, welcomed the council’s announcement, saying: “There may be the possibility still of resolving this case without the further intervention of the court. We do not know.”
Lady Justice Hallett said the court would be “happy” if it was settled, but left open the possibility of a further clash of arms at London’s High Court in the new year.
Richard was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485 ending the Wars of the Roses and the Plantagenet dynasty and his body was taken to Leicester by supporters of the victorious Henry VII and buried in Greyfriars church.
His remains were found under the car park owned by Leicester City Council on the former site of the church.
Under the terms of the licence to dig up the remains granted by the justice secretary, the university has decided Richard should be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral.
The alliance argues the minister failed to comply with a duty in law to consult “relevant interests”, including the king’s descendants, on how and where his remains should be reburied.