Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Key definition

authorities definition

What does authorities mean? Authorities are the legal sources a lawyer relies on to justify a proposition of law in submissions, skeleton arguments and judgments. The term is descriptive and widely used across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, rather than being defined by statute. Authorities typically include: primary legislation and subordinate legislation; binding appellate case law within the relevant jurisdiction; and, as persuasive material, decisions from other UK or foreign courts, tribunal rulings, EU and ECHR jurisprudence where applicable, and reputable academic commentary. In Scotland, the writings of the institutional writers (e.g. Stair, Erskine, Bell) may carry particular weight. Textbooks and...

Duty to co‑operate in English plan‑making: scope, compliance, statements of common ground, joint plans, and abolition under the Levelling‑up and Regeneration Act 2023 with transitional savings

Published by a LexisNexis Planning expert

Practice notes

STOP PRESS:

From 25 March 2026, the principal elements of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 that relate to plan-making have taken effect. This Practice Note is in the process of being revised to reflect this. Be aware that further sections of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA 2023), still awaiting commencement, remove the duty to cooperate, with regulations anticipated to implement that repeal during 2026. For more information, refer to: Abolition of the duty to cooperate in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

What is the duty to cooperate?

The duty to cooperate originated in the Localism Act 2011. It imposes a statutory obligation on local planning authorities (LPAs), county councils and public bodies in England to work together constructively, proactively and continuously, so as to optimise the preparation of local (and marine) plans on strategic issues that cross administrative boundaries. For the purposes of the duty to cooperate, section 33A(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (PCPA 2004) describes ‘strategic matters’ as:

Sustainable development or land use that affects, or would affect, at least two planning areas to a significant degree (that is, the territory of a district, county or London borough council), in particular...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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