News

May 14, 2026

Upper Tribunal considers meaning of ‘rack rent’ in HMO dispute

A landlord did not receive a ‘rack rent’ within the meaning of s.263(1) of the Housing Act 2004, when the management company she appointed broke its contract and used her property as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

May 14, 2026

Upper Tribunal allows appeal over ability to give evidence by video link in housing management case

The First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) wrongly told a landlord that he could not give evidence by video link from the Czech Republic in a dispute over a financial penalty imposed by Salford City Council.

May 13, 2026

High Court dismisses contempt of court application under ‘persons unknown’ injunction as defendant was known to quarry operator

The High Court has dismissed an application to commit an environmental protestor for contempt of court because he did not fall within the definition of “persons unknown”, it has been reported.

May 13, 2026

Two councillors forced to resign over election rule breaches

The Green Party has pledged to strengthen its vetting processes for local election candidates after two newly elected councillors were forced to step down for breaching electoral rules.

May 13, 2026

Government says Education for All Bill will ensure smooth transition to new SEND support system via “triple lock” of protections

An Education for All Bill will ensure a smooth transition to the new SEND system via a “triple lock” of transitional protections that will mean no child loses support already in place, according to the King’s Speech 2026.

May 13, 2026

King’s Speech 2026: key legislation for local government

Bills detailing plans to introduce major SEND reforms, a ‘duty of candour’ for public servants, the creation of a standardised taxi and private hire vehicle framework for England, and changes to the Right to Buy scheme are among a set of new legislation announced in the King’s Speech today (13 May).

May 13, 2026

Councils express concern at extra requirements to consult Secretary of State on planning decisions

Any proposed changes to Secretary of State consultation or call‑in arrangements for planning decisions must be “targeted, proportionate, based on a clear rationale that can be held to account and demonstrably effective, and must not undermine local democratic accountability or delay…

May 13, 2026

Law Society calls for code of practice for Mental Health Act 2025

The Law Society has warned that clear guidance is “essential” to make the Mental Health Act 2025 work for all.

May 13, 2026

Law Society supports disclosure obligations for AI use in court documents

The Law Society has called for greater transparency around AI use and an incremental approach to new rules and regulation that "provides clarity and certainty" for legal representatives when deciding whether and how to use AI in the courts.

May 13, 2026

Planning Court rejects statutory review challenge over permission for motocross site in Wales

A judge has criticised a “blinkered fixation” on one restriction in a planning dispute about a motocross track, where he cited 10 reasons for rejecting the appeal made.

May 12, 2026

Minister quits MHCLG role amid Labour turmoil

The Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has resigned as part of a protest against Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party.

May 12, 2026

Bevan Brittan names six partners in latest promotions round, hires litigation partner

Bevan Brittan has named six partners in its 2026 promotions round, and also hired the former Head of Dispute Resolution and Public Law at Broadfield Law.

May 12, 2026

Public Services Ombudsman for Wales and Enforcement Conduct Board agree memorandum of understanding over complaints handling

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) and the Enforcement Conduct Board have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to enhance how the two organisations work together on complaints involving enforcement agents.

May 12, 2026

Government consults on late changes to Sussex reorganisation plans

The Government has launched two consultations on modifications to local government reorganisation proposals in West Sussex, East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, which would create four new unitary councils.

May 12, 2026

Interim monitoring officers selected for East and West Surrey shadow councils

Councillors in Surrey have appointed interim statutory officers – including monitoring offices – for the East and West Surrey shadow authorities ahead of completing local government reorganisation next year.

May 12, 2026

YPO to procure national framework of developers including £47.6m lot for legal providers

Framework management consultancy Pagabo is to procure on behalf of Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) a renewal framework of developers capable of providing developer-led developments within the UK for the public and private sector to utilise.

May 12, 2026

Welsh council secures £730k fine against major supermarket chain for hygiene offences

A district judge has ordered supermarket giant Morrisons to pay a £737k fine, following a prosecution brought by Torfaen County Borough Council.

May 12, 2026

Monitoring officer warns of potential section 5 report over bid to livestream Lord’s Prayer

Kent County Council’s monitoring officer has warned she may have to issue a section 5 report after members voted to debate a constitutional amendment that would see the Lord’s Prayer livestreamed during full council meetings.

May 12, 2026

LGA issues briefing on local government reorganisation and lessons for adult social care

The Local Government Association (LGA) has issued a briefing on local government reorganisation and lessons for adult social care.

May 12, 2026

Regulators should have greater “political cover” under plans to overhaul regulatory system, peers say

Regulators should be given greater “political cover” by ministers if the Government wants them to take a less risk-averse approach in support of economic growth, a House of Lords committee has said.

May 11, 2026

Judges allow appeal by council over adoption order after it emerged that mother was dating prisoner

The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal brought by a local authority seeking the setting aside of an adoption order on the basis that the court was misled about the true circumstances of the adopters.

May 11, 2026

Judiciary considers simplifying Business and Property Courts disclosure regime

The judiciary-led Disclosure Review Working Group (DRWG) is considering simplifying disclosure rules in the Business and Property Courts (BPC) after a survey found dissatisfaction with the current regime.

May 08, 2026

Conservatives eye legal challenge to Oxford Street pedestrianisation after regaining control of Westminster

The Conservatives have said they will set up a “legal fighting fund” to challenge Sadiq Khan’s pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, after regaining control of Westminster City Council.

May 08, 2026

Farage says Havering should have choice on being part of Greater London or Essex

Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage has backed calls for a vote on whether the London Borough of Havering should remain part of Greater London, following the party's election win in the borough.

May 08, 2026

Children’s Commissioner “disappointed” by Government decision not to add schools as safeguarding ‘fourth partner’

The Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has shared her disappointment with a decision by Government not to name education as the fourth statutory safeguarding partner in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.

May 08, 2026

Judicial Review application issued against SEND reform consultation

An eight-year-old child is seeking a judicial review of the Government’s consultation on proposed reforms to the special educational needs system, arguing that the consultation is unlawful as it is unfair.

May 08, 2026

Supreme Court refuses Secretary of State permission to appeal in dispute with council over costs award after planning inquiry

The Supreme Court has rebuffed a bid by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to force a council to pay a costs award from a planning inquiry following the “collapse” of its expert witness under cross-examination.

May 08, 2026

Court of Appeal finds apparent bias by planning officer tainted report on CLEUD revocation

Lord Justice Holgate has called aspects of a Court of Appeal case “a mystery” after deciding there was apparent bias on the part of a national park authority officer in a planning dispute.

May 08, 2026

London borough wins High Court challenge over Brockwell Park festivals

The High Court has dismissed an attempt to block a series of festivals from taking place in Brockwell Park starting this spring.

May 08, 2026

Council to undertake wide ranging internal review following criticism from Ombudsman over failure to meet care needs

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council has agreed to undertake an internal review after an investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found a failure by the local authority to meet a woman’s needs for care and support.

May 08, 2026

Child safeguarding panel calls for clarification of legal definitions of neglect

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has called for clarification on the legal definitions of neglect, finding that certain terms are “inconsistently interpreted”.

May 08, 2026

Family Court judge takes rare step of making care orders for children remaining at home with mother

A Family Court judge has made care orders in respect of two children with the plan for them to remain at home in the care of their mother, in a case described by the judge as “exceptional in its nature”.

May 07, 2026

Supreme Court to hear appeal by council over Low Traffic Neighbourhood removal ruling

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets over a Court of Appeal ruling on the council’s decision to remove a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) scheme.

May 07, 2026

Outdoor education business fails in Court of Appeal challenge to approval of waste recycling centre

The Court of Appeal has rejected a case brought by an outdoor education centre for children against construction of a household waste recycling centre (HWRC) on an adjacent site.

May 07, 2026

City council undertakes governance review of charity amid regulator concern

Cardiff City Council has been told by the Charity Commission that it must complete an independent review of a charity of which it is the sole trustee, which owns a local park.

May 07, 2026

Information Commissioner publishes guidance for public bodies amid surge in AI-generated FOI requests

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has published new guidance to support public authorities dealing with a rise in AI-generated Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and increasingly complex cases.

May 07, 2026

Litigation involving public sector bodies saw 48% increase in 2025: research

Litigation involving public sector bodies rose sharply in 2025 after 11 years of decline.

May 07, 2026

Council failed to consider duty to make alternative educational provision when child could not attend school, Ombudsman finds

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found fault with how Plymouth City Council handled a child’s special educational needs, meaning that they did not have access to a suitable education for more than a year.

May 07, 2026

Upper Tribunal rejects appeal in supported housing benefits test case

The Upper Tribunal has dismissed an appeal of a First-tier Tribunal decision that found that tenancy liabilities created by a supported housing provider were designed to “take advantage” of the benefits system.

May 07, 2026

Failure by council to act resulted in mother and three children being street homeless for six months

The London Borough of Croydon failed to act when a mother warned she was threatened with homelessness, and then delayed in accepting the homelessness duty and reviewing the suitability of its accommodation offer, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found.

May 07, 2026

London borough to pay nearly £8,000 after mother and child placed in unsuitable temporary accommodation for more than two years

The London Borough of Lewisham placed a mother and her child in unsuitable temporary accommodation for 29 months, while failing to complete housing needs and risk assessments for her and charging her rent for accommodation she did not move to, a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman report has…

May 07, 2026

Two thirds of school leaders don’t believe additional funding for SEND support will be enough

A survey of 130 school and trust leaders has revealed that 68% don’t believe the additional £7bn funding for SEND support by 2028-29, alongside a separate £4bn to prepare schools for reforms, is enough to bring the government’s ambitions to life in their school or trust, with only 3% believing it…

May 06, 2026

Routine judicial decision-making “will be informed or directed by machines", Master of the Rolls says

The Master of the Rolls has said AI-driven systems will soon be capable of deciding routine legal disputes “as reliably as human judges”, warning that courts and lawyers must adapt rapidly to deliver “digital justice systems fit for the 21st century”.

May 06, 2026

Residents crowd fund judicial review over permission for 92-homes development

A campaign group that wants to take the London Borough of Lambeth to judicial review has said it has raised most of the £2,500 initially needed to engage specialist planning lawyers Richard Buxton Solicitors to prepare a formal letter to the council.

May 06, 2026

Handling of housing disrepair in spotlight as regulator reviews claims management market

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a review of the claims management market, “following concerns that consumers are being failed by some claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms”.