Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Key definition
Lawful authority definition What does Lawful authority mean? In practice, lawful authority describes a legally recognised power or permission to do something that would otherwise be unlawful, usually criminal. It derives from statute or the common law, or from instruments and roles they create, such as a warrant or court order, a statutory licence or certificate, or the powers of a public office-holder. Where an offence is framed as doing an act “without lawful authority”, absence of authority is an element for the prosecution to prove; alternatively, it may operate as a defence that the accused must raise evidentially, after which the prosecution must disprove it beyond...
Read More
Highways Act 1980 (England and Wales): licences, conditions, offences and appeals for scaffolding, skips, hoardings and building materials on highways
Published by a
LexisNexis Planning expert
Practice notes
Highway authorities have a statutory obligation to act to prevent, so far as practicable, the stopping up or obstruction of highways within their areas. This Practice Note sets out guidance on obstructions under the Highways Act 1980 (HiA 1980) arising from placing building works, scaffolding or skips on the highway. For broader coverage of highway obstruction, see Practice Note: Obstruction of highways. For details of the tools available to local authorities to address highway obstructions, see Practice Notes: local authority powers to manage highway obstructions—criminal offences and Local authority powers to manage highway obstructions—civil remedies.
Licences for building works, scaffolding and skips
Positioning scaffolding, hoardings or skips on the highway (including pavements) constitutes an obstruction and may amount to a nuisance. Under HiA 1980, s 137(1), a person who, without lawful authority or excuse, wilfully obstructs free passage along a highway commits an offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or a fine, or both. See Practice Note: Obstruction of highways. That said, these incursions often arise out of necessity, and the HiA 1980 therefore permits a range of such activities to be licensed by the local authority...
To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
Web page updated on 21/05/2026
Popular documents
When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...
Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...
I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...
Discover more from LexisNexis
