Injunction over unauthorised placement of flags on highways made permanent
A High Court injunction preventing the unauthorised placement of flags on highway infrastructure secured by Oxfordshire County Council has been made permanent.
Medway Council to change council tax rules to protect itself from legal challenges over tax technicality
Medway Council has taken the decision to change council tax rules to prevent Universal Credit recipients losing out and to avoid possible legal challenges.
Council login details thought to be stolen in Russian cyber attack
Login credentials belonging to staff at UK councils have been exposed as part of a large-scale cyber campaign attributed to Russian hackers.
High Court rejects challenge to Forestry Commission tree planting decision
A judicial review challenge brought by a bottling firm that feared a tree planting scheme would render its wind turbines unusable has failed.
Court of Appeal rules environmental information is 'held' at date of request, not internal review
The Court of Appeal has unanimously allowed an appeal by the Information Commissioner and the Health and Safety Executive, ruling that the date for determining whether environmental information is held by a public authority under regulation 12(4)(a) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004…
Somerset to re-run community governance review after ultra vires warning
Somerset Council has voted to conduct a fresh community governance review (CGR) after being warned that advancing plans to merge two parishes based on a previous review would be ultra vires.
Sellick Partnership acquires majority shareholding in independent recruitment and talent solutions business
Sellick Partnership, a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsic Group, has acquired a majority shareholding in Birmingham-headquartered Gleeson Recruitment Group, an independent recruitment and talent solutions business.
Chelmsford could lose city status if plans to create new parish area go ahead, according to recommendations
Plans to ask residents of the large unparished area of central Chelmsford if they would like a new parish council should go no further, according to recommendations from a cross-party working group of councillors and external advice.
Department for Education confirms five new Regional Care Co-operatives, bringing total to seven
The government has this week (8 July) confirmed five new Regional Care Co-operatives (RCCs) across England as part of an expansion of the new model of children’s social care.
LGA to release new Homelessness Position Paper while calling for “long-term solutions” from next Prime Minister
The Local Government Association (LGA) has said it is releasing a new Homelessness Position Paper (HPP) to outline a “comprehensive plan” that councils need from a new government to effectively tackle homelessness.
Law Commission launches consultation into kinship care law reform
The Law Commission has proposed a single new care order for kinship care cases, which it said would benefit some 160,000 children cared for by relations or family friends.
Judiciary launches package of measures to tackle "bullying" judges
Lawyers who think that have been subjected to bullying or abuse by a judge can use a new protocol to raise concerns informally.
Campaign group applies for Definitive Map Modification Order to save footpath
A local campaign group has applied for a Definitive Map Modification Order to try to require Cornwall Council to investigate the historic use of a disputed footpath.
Council designates market as Asset of Community Value
Lambeth Council has approved an application for Brixton Village and Market Row to be designated asset of community value, a status that gives local campaigners legal rights for six months to put a bid together to buy it.
Planning committee approves, rescinds and then defers decision in matter of minutes
Brent Council’s planning committee has within only a few minutes approved a project, rescinded that decision and then deferred the matter.
Airbnb, Cabinet Office and councils share data to combat housing fraud
The Cabinet Office, local authorities and online accommodation letting service Airbnb have joined forces under a new data sharing agreement to tackle fraudulent lettings of social housing.
Norfolk names director of legal services as interim chief executive
Norfolk County Council has appointed Kat Hulatt, its director of legal services and monitoring officer, as interim chief executive following the departure of Tom McCabe last month.
Councils told to improve identification and support of young people at risk of becoming “NEET”
The Education Secretary has this month (2 July) written to all councils setting out expectations for improving the identification and support of young people at risk of becoming ‘NEET’ – not in education, employment or training.
Council successfully defends waiting list policy in High Court
The London Borough of Southwark’s choice-based lettings scheme could have been better explained but was not unlawful, the High Court has found.
Tribunal orders re-draft of conditions in council's HMO policy
Portsmouth City Council must rewrite parts of its licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation (HMO), the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has said.
London assembly votes for bus drivers "bill of rights"
The Greater London Assembly has unanimously voted for a motion to introduce a 'Bill of Rights' to ensure bus drivers have access to clean, serviced toilets and rest facilities, as well as a safe and well-maintained vehicle, among other things.
Late compliance, apology and resource pressures save council from contempt certification over EIR decision notice
The First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) has refused to certify Guildford Borough Council to the Upper Tribunal for contempt over its admitted failure to comply with a substituted decision notice within the required 35 days, finding that the council's late and piecemeal response was…
LGA publishes guidance on social media, reminding elected members “legal standards apply online as offline”
The Local Government Association (LGA) has published new guidance for elected members when using social media in their capacity as councillors, covering legal considerations, defamation and libel, reputational considerations and safety.
Council at fault for delays during EHC needs assessment process and failure to make Section 19 decision
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found West Sussex County Council at fault for delays during a child’s Education Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment and Plan process.
Committee urges incentives for landlords to accelerate Decent Homes Standard compliance
Further steps are required to protect tenants according to Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee report which requests both new incentives and stronger deterrents for landlords with the aim of speeding up compliance with the new Decent Homes Standard ahead of the 2035 deadline.
Sir Keith Lindblom rejoins FTB as Associate Member following 15 years on the bench
Francis Taylor Building has today (6 July) announced that Sir Keith Lindblom has rejoined Chambers as an Associate Member, following a “distinguished career on the bench”.
High Court refuses permission for Oxford United stadium judicial review
A community group has said it will challenge the High Court's refusal of its application for permission to bring a judicial review over Cherwell District Council's approval of a new 16,000-capacity stadium.
Environmental group seek to appeal High Court ruling on Gatwick Airport second runway
Campaigners have applied for permission to appeal the High Court’s decision to dismiss two claims seeking judicial review of the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision to grant development consent authorising dual runway operations at Gatwick Airport.
Oldham Council faces Section 5 report over continuing leadership deadlock
Oldham Council’s inability to agree on a leader is “no longer simply a political matter” but is a matter of “legal compliance, statutory governance and the Council's ability to continue operating lawfully”, the local authority’s monitoring officer has warned.
Civil Justice Council consultation highlights concerns over use of AI to prepare witness statements
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has heard concerns in the sector that using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to prepare witness statements may “reshape, embellish or otherwise influence evidence”.
Council calls for end to 1950s planning consents behind 'mega-shed' developments
South Gloucestershire Council has urged the Government to urgently amend or repeal two planning consents dating back to the 1950s, arguing they have allowed developers to bypass modern planning rules and build so-called "mega-shed" warehouses.
Croydon says scale of challenge facing council “remains significant”
Croydon Council has acknowledged that the scale of the challenge it faces "remains significant" in a report submitted to the Government.
Home Office consults on increasing length of closure orders
The Home Office has launched a consultation on increasing the length of premises closure orders under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
New initiative to link journalists with families to increase court reporting
A new initiative that aims to connect people seeking media coverage of their cases with journalists interested in family court reporting has been established.
Ofsted to crack down on unregistered children’s home providers through criminal investigations and prosecution
Ofsted has outlined a change in its approach to tackling unregistered children’s homes, which will include beginning a criminal investigation when it has concerns about the safety of children in an unregistered home.
HS2 tunnel extension lacked deemed planning permission, Court of Appeal rules
The Court of Appeal has found that tunnelling works to part of High Speed Rail 2 (HS2) did not have planning permission, following an appeal brought by North Warwickshire Borough Council.
North West council wins county court battle over cost of eradication of Japanese knotweed
Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council has won a case over whether it is liable for the costs of eradication of Japanese knotweed that spread onto a resident’s land from its adjacent park.
North Yorkshire retains legal counsel over airfield asylum accommodation plans
North Yorkshire Council has retained legal counsel to advise on newly announced Government plans to accommodate asylum seekers on a disused military site near a rural village.
Minister writes to charging authorities on Community Infrastructure Levy and household developer exemptions
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook is to consult on reforms intended to help household developers inadvertently caught out by community infrastructure levy (CIL) regulations.
Court of Appeal rejects challenge to decision of planning inspector on outdoor advertising and discontinuance notice
No error of law occurred when a planning inspector found that a Manchester site should not be used to display advertisements, the Court of Appeal has found.
Community centre wins judicial review challenge over grant of new lease to another group and report to Cabinet
Cheltenham Borough Council has become embroiled in a dispute between two community centres that has seen it lose a judicial review.
Cabinet Office commissions review into Government use of disappearing messages and non-corporate communication channels
The Government has launched an independent review into the use of non-corporate communication channels (NCCCs) - such as WhatsApp and personal email accounts - by officials, advisers and ministers.
Cyclist who was thrown from bike by cycle-lane divider launches claim against London borough
Enfield Council is facing a personal injury claim after a cyclist crashed into a cycle-lane divider and suffered two broken elbows and a broken jaw.
London borough agrees to waive £70,000 care home bill after legal challenge
Croydon Council has agreed to waive almost £70,000 in care home fees following a legal challenge brought on behalf of a 75-year-old man with learning disabilities.
Ministry issues consultation on enforcement of council tax
The Government has published a consultation on the enforcement of council tax, which seeks views on amending regulations to introduce steps that councils will be required to take before moving to formal enforcement.
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Events
Minerals webinar series - Part 2: Development management - Landmark Chambers
13-07-2026
Online (live)
Certificates of Lawfulness (LDC) - Ivy Legal 
PATC | North Wales Conference 2026 - Hugh James 
HMPL Building Blocks: Tackling Non-occupation and Sub-letting - Devonshires
14-07-2026
Online (live)
Turning Tensions into Trust: A New Mediatory Approach to Party Walls, Rights of Light and other Neighbour Conflicts - 39 Essex Chambers
15-07-2026
Online (live)
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)
3PB's Renters' Rights Act Panel Discussion - 3PB 
Development Management: Top Tips for Local Planning Authorities - Cornerstone Barristers
17-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
How to Handle a Subject Access Request - Act Now 
Law Enforcement Data Processing and Part 3 of the DPA 2018 - Act Now
21-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
Data Controller, Processor or Joint Controller: What am I? - Act Now
31-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
CCTV, Drones and Body Worn Cameras: Ensuring Data Protection Compliance - Act Now
05-08-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
