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R (Greyhound Board of Great Britain Ltd) v Welsh Ministers [2026] EWHC 670 (Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? The ruling reinforces the constitutional divide between the courts and the legislature. It explains that the scheme and framework of the Government of Wales Act 2006 (GWA 2006) embody that separation of powers, and that any judicial attempt to recognise and enforce a common law obligation on Welsh Ministers to consult prior to introducing legislation in the Senedd would trespass upon that boundary. This is not a departure from established principle; case law has already upheld comparable rules for lawmakers in Scotland and at Westminster. However, this is the first express confirmation of the position for Welsh lawmakers, and the first time this dimension of the GWA 2006 has been analysed in such depth. The court examined earlier
The solution arrived through the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), a quasi‑judicial body handling mass claims, created under UN Security Council Resolution 687. By addressing environmental harm—most notably via its ‘F4’ claim class—the UNCC set a seminal benchmark shaping how international law and contemporary arbitral panels allocate financial responsibility for wartime ecological devastation. With present-day wars in areas such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East bringing dam breaches, strikes on chemical facilities, and the burning of farmland, the UNCC’s legacy endures as an essential reference point for states, global investors, and companies engaged in post‑conflict arbitration. The F4 claims: Quantifying the unquantifiable Prior to the 1990s, mechanisms in international law for war reparations overwhelmingly favoured property loss, foregone earnings, and bodily injury. The natural world was commonly treated as a mute, non-compensable victim of armed hostilities...
Understanding the farming business as a business Many farms still use long-standing structures that arose by habit, not strategy. Sole traders, informal partnerships and outdated partnership deeds are common. While once effective, such setups can cause major issues around succession, tax planning and involving the next generation. A corporate team can take a fresh, business-led view of the farm, asking: Who owns the land and other critical assets? Who manages daily operations? Who carries the risk and who enjoys the return? What is the enduring plan for succession? From this review, the team can confirm whether the current setup is fit for purpose or if an alternative — for example an updated partnership agreement, a company, a limited liability partnership, or a blended model — would better meet the family’s aims. Tax efficiency through joined-up advice Tax sits at the centre of most
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In this issue: Judicial review Education Public procurement Social care Local government finance Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Judicial review Judicial monitoring of compliance with orders in judicial review proceedings ( R ( ECPAT UK) v Kent CC) The proceedings in R ( ECPAT UK) v Kent CC offer a case study in the deployment of suspended quashing orders and the court’s role in supervising observance of its directions. The case has generated four published judgments. The second judgment set out why suspension and continuing judicial oversight were warranted here and featured in an earlier piece. This article now gives a concise chronology of the claim and reviews the fourth judgment, which illustrates the limits of the court’s ongoing supervisory function. Authored by Dr Alice Irving, barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. See News Analysis: Judicial...
R ( ECPAT UK) v Kent CC, SSHD [2024] EWHC 1353 ( Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? This judgment on final relief in the R ( ECPAT) v Kent CC proceedings offers clear guidance on the court’s possible role in supervising compliance with its own orders. It explains when and how such supervision may occur. Whereas Judgment 2 records Mrs Justice Chamberlain’s justification for continued judicial involvement, Judgment 4 marks the boundaries of that continuing role. Consistent with Chamberlain J’s observations, it is probable that courts will assume a monitoring function only in exceptional circumstances. In this claim, a principal justification for supervision was the internecine dispute between two public authorities, who were thought unlikely to resolve the dispute without oversight. As regards the limits of ongoing supervision, Chamberlain J sought to distinguish, on the one hand, issues pleaded by the parties and the...
In this issue: Social housing Education Governance Healthcare Planning Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Social housing Social housing Application for JR of LA’s failure to provide suitable temporary accommodation and conduct lawful needs assessment for children allowed ( ZRR v Bexley LBC) In R (on the application of ZRR) v Bexley London Borough Council [2024] EWHC 2073 ( Admin), the Administrative Court allowed the claimant’s application for judicial review, holding that the council breached section 190 of the Housing Act 1996 by failing to secure suitable accommodation for her, and also failed to carry out a lawful assessment of her children’s needs under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (the assessment). The claimant sought assistance from the authority as homeless after being evicted, together with her two daughters and partner, from her...
In this issue: Licensing Highways Environmental law and climate change Governance Public procurement Social housing Healthcare Social care Education Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Licensing Licensing Act 2003— High Court tacitly accepts that remote participation benefits all involved in licensing hearings ( Walk Safe Security Services Ltd v London Borough of Lewisham). Having earlier ruled that council meetings—and therefore licensing hearings—under the Local Government Act 1972 must be held at a single specified place; that to ‘attend’ means going there physically; and that being ‘present’ requires physical presence at that venue, the High Court has now concluded that, under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Licensing Act ( Hearings) Regulations 2005, licensing committees in England may run hearings remotely. Authored by David Wilson, licensing consultant at A2Z...
Wesson ( Chair of Friends of Mill Road Bridge) v Cambridgeshire County Council [2024] EWHC 1068 ( Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? Two practical themes arise. The first concerns procedure for challenges under RTRA 1984, Sch 9, para 35, where the court delivered two generally applicable points. On summary judgment, the discussion at paras [7]–[11] culminates in a caution at paras [10]–[11]: in many instances the correct course is to proceed straight to a substantive hearing. It is a clear indication that using a summary judgment application in para [35] matters as a surrogate for a judicial review permission stage is inappropriate. The second point reiterates that an Order impugned under para [35] will only be quashed if, in accordance with RTRA 1984, Sch 9, para 36, the applicant has suffered substantial prejudice (see paras...
What are the practical implications of this case? Should the Court of Appeal’s position prevail and Fordham J’s approach be rejected, the bases for contesting policies through administrative law will be markedly narrowed. The so‑called ‘duty of prescription’—a duty to publish a policy indicating how discretion is to be exercised—now appears restricted to cases where a statute expressly requires it, or where such prescription is needed to satisfy the European Convention on Human Rights ( ECHR). Without those elements, it will not be possible to rely on any purported duty of prescription. It is helpful to recall why the duty was accepted in at least some contexts in Lumba. In that decision, Lord Dyson stated that, in certain situations, the rule of law requires an open and transparent statement by the executive of the circumstances in which broad statutory criteria will be applied ( Lumba at...
In this issue: Education Social care Children’s social care Social housing Healthcare Governance Public procurement Local government finance Lex Talk®Local Government: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content New Q& A Education Dismissal of appeal against SSE’s prohibiting order on teaching issues concerning Christian faith and use of pronouns for students ( Sutcliffe v SSE) The Administrative Court in Sutcliffe v Secretary of State for Education [2024] EWHC 1878 ( Admin) permitted the appellant additional time, yet dismissed his appeal against the Secretary of State’s decision to issue an order preventing him from teaching on matters where his Christian convictions clashed with his professional responsibilities towards the children in his class. The proceedings arose from conduct by a teacher who knowingly used female pronouns for a transgender male pupil ( A) in...
The Labour Manifesto Released ahead of the July 2024 General Election, Labour’s Manifesto pledged sweeping planning changes to unlock development and stimulate economic growth; see News Analysis: What the planning industry can expect from the new Labour government. After the new Labour administration took office, the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered a speech on 8 July 2024 promising a consultation on the NPPF before the end of July, heralding a ‘new growth-focused approach to the planning system’ and the reinstatement of mandatory housing targets. The NPPF consultation duly appeared on 30 July 2024. Running for eight weeks, it outlines the government’s intended approach to updating the NPPF ‘in order to achieve sustainable growth in the planning system’. It also invites feedback on a range of broader policy measures, including raising planning fees, criteria for intervening in local plans, and suitable...
In this issue: Social care Children's social care Education Public procurement Governance Social housing Licensing Environmental law and climate change Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Social care Discrimination challenge over social care charging policy ( R ( YVR (a protected party) v Birmingham City Council) A severely disabled young man pursued a Judicial Review of a local authority’s policy for charging for services provided under the Care Act 2014. He alleged unlawful discrimination, arguing the approach treated those unable to work less favourably than comparable service users who could generate additional earnings. The court dismissed the claim. The judgment placed notable emphasis on the council’s budgetary pressures arising from the financial crisis, and the extent to which those constraints could legitimately be considered when evaluating the policy’s impact on the...
R (on the application of YVR (a protected party, by his litigation friend YUL)) v Birmingham City Council [2024] EWHC 701 ( Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? This judgment stands out for its close examination of a potential discrimination claim arising from the effects of a charging policy on disabled individuals with differing levels of need, and for setting that assessment against the severe financial pressures confronting a local authority. It offers a clear, structured approach to the discrimination issues, making it an important reference point for public bodies facing similar challenges. It carefully analyses the impact of charging arrangements on disabled people with varying needs. It frames that analysis within the context of acute local authority budgetary constraints. The court reviews R ( SH) v Norfolk County Council [2020] EWHC 3436—where a comparable challenge to changes in a social care charging scheme was found...
Taxi licensing— When is a contract for hire of a PHV not a contract...when it’s a booking! ( DELTA Merseyside Ltd & Veezu Holdings Ltd v Uber Britannia) DELTA Merseyside Ltd & Veezu Holdings Ltd v Uber Britannia Ltd [2024] EWCA Civ 802 What are the practical implications of this case? Local authority licensing officers and lawyers can likely breathe a sigh of relief, as they no longer face the possibility—subject to any attempt by Uber to go to the Supreme Court, with the Court of Appeal having refused permission—that they must decide whether private hire vehicle operators are contracting with passengers, as the (now discharged) High Court declaration had required when interpreting LG( MP) A 1976, Pt II. Private hire vehicle operators remain free to enter agreements with drivers and with customers/passengers (who are not invariably the same party) in any manner allowed by law,...
R ( Care Northeast) v Northumberland County Council 2024 EWHC 1370 ( Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? The court sets out a rigorous roadmap for how a public body should exercise discretionary decision-making. The judgment offers a careful analysis of the method to be adopted when exercising such discretion. First, define the issue it must resolve; next, make suitable enquiries to underpin the choice; finally, provide adequate justification for the outcome. The ruling will aid practitioners in scrutinising decision-making procedures and documenting the rationale for choices made under an authority’s discretion, prior to starting a challenge. It also promotes swift engagement and questions about whether a decision is lawful. Where determinations on public finances and budgets could be affected, virtually no delay will be tolerated if a claim seeks to quash the decision. This framework will help ensure decisions are...
Jeff Lane, 73, was found guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court in April 2022 of two offences linked to the unlicensed felling of around 2,000 trees across more than eight hectares (20 acres) of native and wet woodland within the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Swansea — a priority habitat owing to its ecological importance. The felling occurred between April 2019 and September 2020. Mr Lane’s appeal was unsuccessful, and he was again convicted at Swansea Crown Court in November 2022. The offences Mr Lane was convicted of were: Offence under section 17(1) of the Forestry Act 1967 ( FA 1967) for felling a tree without the authority of a felling licence from Natural Resources Wales ( NRW), the relevant forestry authority in Wales. A felling licence was required under FA 1967, s 9(1), as none of the limited exceptions in ss 9(2), 9(3) or 9(4)...
In this issue: King’s Speech 2024—key local government announcements Governance Social housing Licensing Social care Public procurement Education Healthcare Planning Local government finance Highways Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content New Q& A King’s Speech 2024—key local government announcements His Majesty, King Charles III, outlined the government’s agenda and planned legislation for the coming parliamentary session at the State Opening of Parliament on 17 July 2024. Headline measures for local government span: governance—with the English Devolution Bill returning powers to local areas, and the Hillsborough Law strengthening transparency and a duty of candour in public investigations; education—with the Children’s Wellbeing Bill to raise standards; mental health—with a Mental Health Bill to modernise the Mental Health Act 1983; social housing—with a draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill enhancing homeowners’ control of their homes; the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, supporting progress towards a smoke-free UK; and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, aimed at improving and...
LIDL Great Britain Ltd v East Lindsey District Council [2024] EWHC 1641 ( Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? This ruling is notable because it clarifies how decision-makers should handle planning proposals that rival one another. It confirms that a head-to-head comparison becomes a mandatory material consideration only where it is so plainly relevant that declining to undertake it would be irrational. On these facts, that bar was crossed. Crucial elements included a cumulative impact assessment showing that two out of centre supermarkets could cause a significant adverse effect on the town centre, whereas either scheme alone would not. Viewed realistically, this was a contest in which two stores were effectively chasing a single permission. The judgment also highlighted practical issues liable to arise when applications are processed at the same time. It found that...
In this issue: General election Public procurement Governance Social housing Children’s social care Healthcare Planning Environmental law and climate change Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content General election What does the new Labour government mean for local government? After the General Election on 4 July 2024, the UK now has a Labour government in office, the first since 2010. We outline the changes likely to follow by assessing key Labour proposals for local government issued ahead of the vote and in the run-up to polling day. For further detail, see News Analysis: What does the new Labour government mean for local government? See also related News Analyses: What does the new Labour government mean for public law?, What the planning industry can expect from the new Labour government, and What does a new Labour government mean for environmental law in England and Wales? Hansard Society publishes guide on the start of the new...
Labour’s manifesto, titled ‘ Change’, was released ahead of the General Election. It outlines a programme the party pledged to deliver on entering office, which has now occurred. Additional specifics may emerge in the King’s Speech set for 17 July 2024. Governance Devolution of power The new administration states it will shift authority away from Westminster by strengthening devolution deals for existing Combined Authorities in England. It will extend devolution to further places, urging councils to collaborate and assume fresh responsibilities, such as over transport, adult education and skills, housing and planning, and employment support. A new legal duty will require Local Growth Plans spanning towns and cities nationwide. Labour will examine governance models for Combined Authorities to clear blockages in decisions, and offer greater flexibility via integrated settlements for Mayoral Combined Authorities that demonstrate ‘exemplary management of public money’, while bringing together powers on...
The Labour Manifesto Labour’s manifesto, titled ‘ Change’, was released ahead of the General Election. It outlines a programme of actions the party vowed to deliver once in office, as has now occurred. The document says ‘ the climate and nature crisis is the greatest long-term global challenge that we face’ and that ‘ economic growth, energy security, lower bills, and addressing climate change can be complementary ’. Consequently, most green commitments sit in the second of five missions to ‘rebuild Britain’, focused on making ‘ Britain a clean energy superpower’. At the heart of this is the Green Prosperity Plan, which—working with business through a National Wealth Fund—will invest to help the most energy intensive sectors decarbonise. The Manifesto also pledges action on the nature emergency, addressing pollution in rivers and seas, widening access to nature, supporting...
Labour’s manifesto, ‘ Change’, set out a programme the party vowed to deliver once in government, a position it has now achieved. The stream of reform in property law and measures touching the property industry — the Leasehold Reform ( Ground Rent) Act 2022, the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 ( LURA 2023) and the Building Safety Act 2022 ( BSA 2022) — shows no sign of slowing now Labour holds power. Reforms from recent years continue to shape the property landscape, with no indication of abatement under the new government. Labour’s position suggests continuity rather than pause in this agenda for now. Leasehold and enfranchisement reform The incoming administration must progress the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 ( LFRA 2024), which secured Royal Assent in the ‘wash up’ on Parliament’s final day before dissolution. Most of LFRA 2024 will be commenced by...
In this issue: General election Governance Environmental law and climate change Public procurement Children's social care Social care Planning Highways Lex Talk®Local Government: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content New Q& As General election General Election 2024—parliamentary process, wash-up and manifesto pledges This News Analysis brings together the 2024 General Election coverage by practice area. It features expert commentary from practice specialists, Practical Guidance, news, analysis and journal pieces. For Local government, the coverage also explores manifesto commitments from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and the Green Party. It further assesses local government funding, antisocial behaviour, education and social care, considering how each manifesto could affect these priorities. See News Analysis: General Election 2024—parliamentary process, wash-up and manifesto pledges......
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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 ]...
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