Ombudsman criticises failures of council after disabled teenager left without vital medical equipment
A teenager with extensive care needs was left “unable to use their wheelchair or access essential medical equipment following major surgery” because of avoidable failures by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has founded.
Essex to launch judicial review proceedings over reorganisation plans
Essex County Council has confirmed it will apply to the High Court for permission to bring a judicial review of the Government's decision to split the county into five unitary authorities, making it the first authority to launch legal proceedings over local government reorganisation.
Environment Agency investigating barrister over unauthorised river clean-up
A barrister has said the Environment Agency has threatened him with prosecution after he organised a river clean-up without obtaining a permit.
Peers raise questions about Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice
The cross-party House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has raised a series of questions for the Government after considering the draft Equality Act 2010 Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations.
Referrals for Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards must continue to be responded to as councils transition into “new stage” following Supreme Court ruling: ADASS
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has published updated guidance following the Supreme Court ruling earlier this month (2 June) on deprivation of liberty.
Information Commissioner John Edwards resigns with immediate effect after workplace investigation finds "case to answer"
John Edwards has resigned as UK Information Commissioner and as Chair-designate of the new Information Commission, with immediate effect, four months after stepping back amid an independent workplace investigation.
Planning Court judge rejects challenge by council over application of ‘exception test’ in flood risk case
The High Court has dismissed a planning case appealed by North Somerset Council, with Mrs Justice Jefford saying it sought to argue “a distinction without a difference” over whether the flood risk exception test was used.
Tenants bring legal challenge over heat network charges
A group of residents is seeking to take legal action against the London Borough of Lambeth arguing they are unfairly tied to a communal heating system and its costs.
Research finds significant variation in planning decisions being overturned after council refusal
Researchers have found a wide variation in how many planning decisions get overturned on appeal after being refused by councils.
Newly built social housing should be exempt from Right to Buy in perpetuity, say councils
The Local Government Association (LGA) wants peers to table amendments to the Social Housing Bill that would exempt newly built social housing from the Right to Buy in perpetuity.
LGA criticises lack of impact assessment for extension of Armed Forces Covenant duty
The Local Government Association (LGA) has accused Whitehall departments of failing to carry out an expected impact assessment for the Armed Forces Covenant Bill, leaving councils with unknown extra costs to cover taking account of the needs of service personnel in local decisions.
Regulator calls for time for BNG requirements to bed down amid concern over further changes
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) has said requirements for biodiversity net gain (BNG) need time to become established before the Government makes further changes to promote housebuilding.
Law Commission consults on reform of commercial leasehold and business tenancies laws
The Law Commission has launched consultations on reforms to the law on commercial leases, which it said could remove “significant problems” for tenants.
Public Law Outline measures introduced in 2023 to tackle delays only partially successful, Local Government Lawyer research suggests
Measures introduced by the former President of the Family Division, Sir Andrew McFarlane, to address “unacceptable delay” within the family court have only been partially successful three years on, new research by Local Government Lawyer has indicated.
Central government bodies to be required to conduct public interest test for £1m+ procurements and develop insourcing strategy if spend exceeds £100m
Central government bodies and other in scope authorities will be required from April 2027 to apply a ‘Public Interest Test’ prior to commencing any planned project for a service with an estimated value of more than £1 million that may result in the award of a public contract under the Procurement…
County launches injunction bid against flying flags along public highways
The High Court is to hear an injunction application from Oxfordshire County Council seeking to prevent the unauthorised placement of flags on or near the public highway.
Reed chose five-unitary Essex model despite officials recommending three councils, letter reveals
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, chose to advance a five-unitary proposal in Essex, despite civil servants recommending a three-unitary proposal, a Government letter has revealed.
District set to launch legal challenge over Norfolk reorganisation plans
South Norfolk Council is gearing up to launch a judicial review challenge against local government reorganisation in its area, after its leader said the changes would see the district's residents become "second tier citizens".
Investigation finds no evidence of “widespread, routine or systematic” monitoring by council staff of social media accounts of parents and carers of children with SEN
An independent investigation into Bristol City Council’s use of social media in relation to Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabled children's services has found no evidence of any “widespread, routine or systematic” monitoring by council staff of parents and carers' social media accounts
Transport Secretary says taxi drivers should be licensed where they operate, as MPs urge ministers to “get tough” on standards
The Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, has said she believes that taxi drivers and operators “should be licensed where they intend to provide services”, while outlining plans to bring forward a draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Bill.
Government to strengthen fostering standards and guidance so abuse allegations handled in more proportionate way
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its response to the fostering reform consultation launched earlier this year, setting out its position on proposals relating to fostering panels, assessment processes and the handling of allegations against foster carers.
Law change ending requirement to publish home addresses of councillors to come into force at end of month
Councils will no longer be required to publish the home address of members from the end of June, in an effort to protect councillors from harassment.
Public spending watchdog launches audit of social housing sector
The National Audit Office (NAO) has announced a review of the social housing sector in England, focusing on the quality of homes and the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks aimed at ensuring homes are safe and decent.
Reed announces plan to define role of mayors and strategic authorities in public service reform and procurement
Government plans to form a ‘task and finish group’ to define the roles of mayors and strategic authorities in public service reform are among a raft of new local government reforms announced by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Ombudsman upholds complaint about 'last wishes' form used by care provider when service user is at end of life
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has upheld a complaint about a form used by a health and social care charity when a user of its services is at end of life, finding that the form caused “unnecessary confusion”.
Supreme Court grants permission to appeal dismissal of legal challenge to imposition of VAT on private school fees
The Supreme Court has granted a group of religious private schools, their pupils, and their pupils’ parents permission to appeal on all grounds the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of their challenge to the imposition of VAT on private school fees.
Government issues interim guidance on Supreme Court judgment on deprivations of liberty
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published interim guidance on key points from the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on what constitutes a deprivation of liberty, outlining the main implications for health and social care staff, local authorities and others.
Council revises planning document for 4,000 home scheme following judicial review threat
Rushcliffe Borough Council is facing a judicial review challenge over a supplementary planning document (SPD) that could pave the way for up to 4,000 homes to be built and the closure of a local airfield.
Councils to explore legal options after Government revokes planning powers
Two of the nine councils designated by the Government this week under special measures - allowing applicants for major developments to bypass the local planning authority - have vowed to consider all options to fight the decision, including legal action.
Police arrest two former council staff in bribery investigation
Two former staff members of Leeds City Council have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation of alleged bribery offences.
Court of Appeal to hear appeal over lawfulness of Care Act assessment
The Court of Appeal will this week (16 June) hear an appeal over the High Court’s rejection of a legal challenge to the lawfulness of a Care Act assessment conducted by a London borough.
Tribunal makes first remediation contribution order following application by central government department
A London property developer must pay £3.6m to cover the costs of serious fire safety defects in one of its buildings, following a remediation contribution order (RCO) issued by the First-tier Tribunal.
Local authority unsuccessful in appeal over supervision order
The Court of Appeal has rejected a local authority’s appeal against orders made at the conclusion of care proceedings, finding that the children's welfare “will not be compromised” by substituting a lawful one-year supervision order for the two-year order inadvertently made by the judge.
New statutory complaints duty comes into effect this week
From Friday 19th June, the requirement for all public authorities that process personal data to operate a formal internal complaints process for data protection issues, comes into force under a new duty inserted into the Data Protection Act 2018 by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
Government revokes planning powers for nine councils in respect of major developments
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, has stripped nine local authorities of their powers to determine planning applications for major developments over ‘inadequate’ performance.
Forestry England to procure £1.2m legal services framework for renewable energy projects
Forestry England is to procure a legal services framework for renewable energy developments (notably wind energy developments) across the National Forest Estate.
Former head of GLD and Cornerstone Barristers KC among those recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
The former Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary, Government Legal Department, Susanna McGibbon KC (Hon), has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
London borough settles dispute with Toby Carvery owner over felling of ancient oak
Enfield Council has reached an out-of-court settlement with the company responsible for the Toby Carvery at Whitewebbs Park, after bringing forfeiture proceedings against the firm over its decision to fell a 500-year-old oak tree in the restaurant's car park.
“Leapfrogged” welfare deputyship case to be heard in Court of Appeal this week
The Court of Appeal will this week (17 June) consider the question of whether and when personal welfare deputies should be appointed for adults who are unable to make relevant decisions for themselves.
Equalities watchdog issues consultation on technical guidance for schools
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a consultation on updated technical guidance for schools, which explains schools’ legal obligations not to discriminate against, harass or victimise pupils.
Ombudsman recommends council issue guidance to caseworkers on duties when EHC Plans transferred
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found Kent County Council at fault for failing to follow its duties regarding the handling of a young person’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and for poor communication.
Family Court refuses local authority application to transfer care proceedings relating to 21-month-old child to Romania
A Family Court judge has refused a local authority application to transfer ongoing care proceedings relating to a 21-month-old child from England and Wales to Romania, finding that the final care hearing should take place in England, where the child is habitually resident.
Seven new Court of Appeal judges named
The judge in charge of the Administrative Court, Mr Justice Chamberlain, is among seven new Court of Appeal judges announced today (12 June).
SRA publishes revised supervision guidance after Mazur judgment
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published its updated guidance on supervision arrangements following the Court of Appeal’s judgment on Mazur vs Others.
Decisions about remote participation should not be based simply on resources: Judiciary
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has this month (4 June) published updated remote participation guidance for the Civil and Family courts.
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Events
The General Data Protection Regulation - Act Now 
The ERA – Discrimination - Sharpe Pritchard 
Kings Chambers Property Flagship | Laying the Foundations (Manchester)
24-06-2026 12:30 pm
North-west
Webinar: A masterclass in Forced Marriage Protection Orders, marriage and the Court of Protection - Spire Barristers
25-06-2026 4:00 pm
Online (live)
Public Law in 2026: One Day Symposium - Cornerstone Barristers 
4-5 Employment Law Conference - 4-5 Grays Inn Square 
“How reasonable do I have to be?!” - 42BR 
Mediation strategy coaching: achieving better outcomes for clients in mediations - Devonshires
30-06-2026
London
Collaborate. Communicate. Connect. - Iken 
Land Deals v Public Works Contracts v Grant Funding Agreements - the choice is yours - DWF
01-07-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
Court of Protection Seminar 2026 - 39 Essex Chambers
The importance of staff training and the risk of failing to embed knowledge in an organisation - Devonshires
02-07-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
AI and Information Governance: Bridging Innovation and Compliance - Act Now
07-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
PATC | Adult social care update - Hugh James
Driving Renewable and Sustainable Development in the Public Sector - DWF
09-07-2026 2:00 pm
Online (live)
Minerals webinar series - Part 2: Development management - Landmark Chambers
13-07-2026
Online (live)
PATC | North Wales Conference 2026 - Hugh James 
Certified Data Protection Officer Training (CDPO) - The Training Centre
15-07-2026 9:00 am
Online (live)
Managing the Commercial Market Operator (CMO) principle in Subsidy Control - DWF
15-07-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
