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News
Must read
Must read
Features
Features
Features
July 03, 2025
IPA guidance 2025: Managing PFI distress and preparing for expiry
Aanya Gujral and David Owens dive into the recent guidance published on managing the risks associated with Private Finance Initiative (“PFI”) projects.
Jul 03, 2025
What might the public inquiry on child sexual exploitation look like
With the recent announcement that there will now be a national public inquiry into child sexual exploitation (CSE) Stephanie McGarry and Sarah Erwin-Jones look at what this means for those likely to be become involved and what Baroness Casey had to say in her recently published review into CSE.
Jul 03, 2025
Data (Use and Access) Act – Updating Data Protection Law and more
On the 19th June 2025, the Data Use and Access Bill (“DUA Bill”) received Royal Assent to become the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (“DUA Act”).
Jul 03, 2025
High Court Dismisses Challenge to New Super Prison
The High Court has refused permission to challenge the Secretary of State's decision to grant planning permission for so called 'super prison' on Green Belt land near HMP Garth and HMP Wymott in Lancashire.
Jul 03, 2025
AI, copyright and LLMs
What are the copyright and confidentiality issues arising from use of public and private Large Language Models (LLMs)? Justin Harrington explains.
Jul 03, 2025
Automatic suspensions and the public interest
Tim Care provides a summary of the recent case of Unipart Group Ltd v Supply Chain Coordination Ltd [2025], and assesses its impact upon the application of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015).
Jul 03, 2025
FOI and communication
The Upper Tribunal recently considered the meaning of ‘reasonably practicable’ in s11 of the Freedom of Information Act. Jonathan Dixey analyses the ruling.
Webinars
Whistleblowing: Detriment and Dismissal Cases
In the second session of our Autumn/Winter Employment Series, Nick Bidnell-Edwards and Safia Tharoo provide a concise review of whistleblowing law for detriment and dismissal claims, including recent developments, followed by practical tips on how to bring and to defend the claims.
Webinars
The Landmark Listen: Public Podcast – Standing
David Blundell QC, Richard Turney and Miranda Butler provide a detailed overview of the decision in the Good Law Project challenge and case law on the link between standing and timing in judicial review.
SPONSORED
Unlocking legal talent
Jonathan Bourne of Damar Training sets out why in-house council teams and law firms should embrace apprenticeships.
How hair strand testing should be instructed for family court proceedings
For years, FTS, a drug, alcohol and DNA lab in Yorkshire, has been advocating for an end to the use of Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) cut-off levels in the family courts, writes Paul Hackett (Sponsored Editorial)
Webinars
Property Nuts and Bolts – Part 4 – Boundary disputes - Landmark Chambers
This event is part of Landmark Chamber's popular Property Law Nuts & Bolt webinar series.
More features
Understanding the key staffing issues in Local Government Reorganisation
Sarah Lamont sets out some of the main employment considerations arising out of the Government’s plans for local government reorganisation.
Employees and social media posts: the Court of Appeal in Higgs v Farmor’s School
The Court of Appeal recently ruled that a school worker’s dismissal for gender-critical social media posts was discriminatory. Luke Green and Emma Ahmed set out some key learning points from the case.
TUPE transfers: I object! Yes, but why?
Hannah Bollard provides some practical tips for employers on how to deal with cases where an employee objects to being transferred under TUPE.
Protected beliefs and the Equality Act 2010
An employment tribunal recently ruled that belief in the ability to predict the future is not protected, but, asks Jackie Morris, should we have seen that coming?
A widening of worker status?
Charlotte Tosti analyses a landmark case in the Employment Tribunal over the question of whether foster carers are “workers” and can bring claims in the employment tribunal.
Work-related stress: a key issue for employers
Debra Gers looks at the support employers can provide in relation to work-related stress.
Engaging with all allegations
In a recent case, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has highlighted the importance of addressing all issues identified in a list of issues, including those not originally pleaded, writes Michael Halsey.
Comments about accents
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that comments about an employee's accent can amount to race-related harassment under the Equality Act 2010, even without evidence of discriminatory intent. Alastair Fatemi analyses the judgment.
Raising new substantive arguments at appeal stage
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled in a case involving a local authority that it would not be in the interests of justice to allow a claimant to raise a new argument on appeal, despite acknowledging an error in the Tribunal’s decision. Gareth Edwards explains why.
LGPS fund management reforms
The Government has announced the creation of pension ‘megafunds’. Mark Radford looks at the key points.
Fire and re-hire: increased protective awards
The Government has revived a draft order on increased protective awards for failures to follow the statutory Code of Practice. Georgia Blesson looks at what this means for employers.
Whistleblowing: Detriment and Dismissal Cases
In the second session of our Autumn/Winter Employment Series, Nick Bidnell-Edwards and Safia Tharoo provide a concise review of whistleblowing law for detriment and dismissal claims, including recent developments, followed by practical tips on how to bring and to defend the claims.
Wiping the slate clean - tips and tactics on how best to achieve settlement in the ET
In this webinar Nick Singer and Karolina Zielinska consider how to get the most out of negotiation and judicial mediation for your clients. Given the ever-increasing cost and stress associated with Tribunal proceedings, settlement firmly remains an attractive option when considering how best to resolve a claim for claimants and respondents alike.
Disability-related absences and dismissal
Should dismissals for disability-related absences be pleaded as direct discrimination? Robin Pickard examines a recent Employment Appeal Tribunal case involving a local authority.
The Employment Rights Bill 2024 – What’s in, What’s out, and What’s next
Louise Singh, Suzanne Nulty and Ben Daniel break down the key points from Labour's flagship Employment Rights Bill.
USDAW v Tesco: the end of fire and rehire?
Benjamin Gray looks at the lessons to be learned from the Supreme Court's recent consideration of a "fire and rehire" case.
Procedural steps not taken by employee irrelevant to constructive dismissal claim
An employee’s failure to fully complete every step of an internal grievance process will not impact their right to claim constructive dismissal, according to the recent ruling by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) involving a local authority. Sharmin Chowdhury analyses the judgment.
Positive action v positive discrimination: how to avoid crossing the (thin blue) line
To what extent can employers appoint or promote someone because they have a protected characteristic that is under-represented in their organisation? Jo Moseley analyses a recent Employment Tribunal ruling involving a police force.
What next for employment law?
Hanna Davies looks at the Labour Government’s plans for overhauling employment law.
The strategic importance of maintaining a positive workplace culture
Gareth Edwards recently reported on the upcoming new mandatory duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, which is due to come into force on 26 October 2024. In this follow-up piece, he discusses how the new sexual harassment law highlights the strategic value of maintaining a positive workplace culture.
The new law on sexual harassment in the workplace: what is it and why does it matter?
From 26 October 2024, employers will be under a new legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of staff at work. Gareth Edwards takes a closer look at the background of the new law and what it will mean in practice.
Job fraud on the rise: the new recruitment challenge
Laura Hayward looks at the challenges faced by employers and recruitment agencies in managing situations where employees try to work more than one full-time job concurrently.
Local authority employers - What's in a name?
Mispronouncing someone’s name can have significant implications, as shown by a recent Tribunal ruling, writes Sarah Harnett.
Workplace investigations demystified
Jenny Arrowsmith and Jake Marshall set out ten lessons from the tribunals when it comes to the conduct of workplace investigations.
Restructure and redundancy
Christian Grierson provides a refresher on the key principles around restructuring and redundancy.
Equal pay: the material factor defence
A fire and rescue service has successfully defended an equal pay claim even though the claimant and comparators were engaged in 'like work' for the period of the claim. Jessica Scott-Dye analyses the case.
Changes to the code of practice on fire and re-hire
Following last year’s consultation, the Government has published an updated draft statutory code of practice on ‘fire and re-hire’. Michael Halsey looks at the key changes.
Outsourcing the problem: equal pay and local authority trading companies
Doug Mullen looks at the complex issues around equal pay that arise with local authority trading companies.
The top five employment cases that will shape 2024
Rebecca Denvers identifies the cases which will have a big impact on employment law and HR policies and practices over the next 12 months.
Expressing lawful views at work
Should employees be able to express their lawful views at work? Jo Moseley examines a case where Acas got into murky waters.
More features
Local Authority Insight Series: Local Authority Companies – How to Make Them Work
In this webinar, three highly experienced public commercial lawyers explore the background and future of local authority-owned companies, examining the pressures and complications they face, the factors behind their creation and look at how councils can best manage their external companies to avoid the pitfalls that have led some to fail.
Local Authority Insight Series: Monitoring Officers
Everything you wanted to know about being a monitoring officer but were afraid to ask. Philip McCourt and Suki Binjal, two of the profession’s most experienced MOs, look at how the nature and the profile of the role is changing.
ICS lessons
Three months on from the commencement of the new statutory Integrated Care Systems (ICS) Anja Beriro and Gerrard Hanratty reflect on the main themes and issues that have come from the new relationship between local government and health.
Local Authority Insight Series: Regime change - the Liberty Protection Safeguards - LexisNexis
LexisNexis take a look at how the new Liberty Protection Safeguards work in practice when they replace the Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)
Draft Mental Health Bill now published
Following a commitment given in the Queen’s Speech in May 2022, a draft Mental Health Bill has been brought forward this week (27 June 2022). Alex Ruck Keene sets out the main elements and highlights some key points.
Local Authority Insight Series: A balancing act – Public Sector employment post - Covid
This webinar by LexisNexis looks at Public Sector employment post - Covid; identifying and managing the potential pitfalls of the ‘new normal’ for public sector employers.
Building systems
James Arrowsmith looks at the lessons to be learned from a recent report on integrated Local Health Systems produced by LGiU and Browne Jacobson.
Mental Health Act reform – draft legislation now announced
In the Queen’s Speech this week, it was announced that draft legislation would be brought forward to reform the Mental Health Act in England and Wales. Alex Ruck Keene looks at what we know so far.
Discharging patients into care homes at the start of the pandemic
A challenge to a Government policy of discharging hospital patients to care homes at the start of pandemic has been partly upheld. Dominic Ruck Keene analyses the judgment.
CCGs, Covid vaccinations and best interests disputes
The Court of Protection has confirmed again that clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) must act with urgency to resolve best interests disputes on Covid-19 vaccinations, write Leah Selkirk and Ellie Maudsley.
The Covid-19 inquiry is coming
What does the Covid-19 inquiry mean for local authorities? Olivia Carter and David Owens explain.
Local Authority Insight Series: Making Highways Fit for the Future
Join Ruth Stockley, barrister at Kings Chambers, and Chris Burgess of Norfolk County Council for an in-depth discussion that addresses the legal issues and obstacles involved with adapting highways for a low carbon future and the legal tools available to local authorities.
Health and Care Bill 2021: The role of local authorities in Integrated Care Systems
In the latest in a series of comment pieces on the Health and Care Bill 2021, Anna Hart, Charlotte Burnett and Hamza Drabu consider how local authorities and combined authorities will engage with Integrated Care Partnerships and Integrated Care Boards.
Local Authority Insight Series - Effectively tackling ASB
Join expert Housing barrister, Kuljit Bhogal and Susan Taylor, Senior Solicitor at Capsticks as they outline the latest thinking for social landlords on effectively tackling ASB.
An overview of the legal framework for paying GP practices for premises costs
David Lock QC unpacks the changing model of delivering NHS primary services in the UK.
Local Authority Insight Series - the Liberty Protection Safeguards
ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: Alex Ruck-Keene and Emma Harrison look at how the new Liberty Protection Safeguards will work in practice when they replace the Deprivations of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) next year.
The COVID-19 Inquiry: Preliminary thoughts on its scope and efficacy
Fiona Scolding QC, Christopher Jacobs, Carine Patry, Ben Fullbrook and Alex Goodman offer some preliminary thoughts on the scope of the public inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic inquiry, scheduled to commence in 2022, focusing in particular on the inquiry’s “terms of reference”.
Vaccinating 12 to 15 year olds
Stephanie McGarry and Alistair Taylor consider the Government’s updated guidance on Covid-19 vaccination of 12 to 15 year olds.
The Court of Protection and “the most complex Covid patient in the world”
Alex Ruck Keene looks at the latest ruling by the Vice President of the Court of Protection on the withdrawal of treatment in a COVID context.
Local Authority Insight Series - Local Authority Duties in Intercountry Adoption
ON-DEMAND WEBINAR: Ruth Cabeza, barrister and author of the text, International Adoption, from Harcourt Chambers and Joy Hopkinson, Principal Social Care Lawyer from London Borough of Lambeth, discuss the issues for local authorities dealing with overseas placements both in a private and public law context.
Discharging medically fit children from hospital during a shortage of accommodation
Gemma Brannigan explains how two NHS Trusts recently obtained a High Court Order to require a child to be removed from hospital.
Reporting restrictions in end of life cases
Rosalind English analyses an important High Court ruling on anonymity for treating clinicians in 'end of life' cases.
Long-term leave under s.17 Mental Health Act
Arianna Kelly analyses a recent judgment in which the Upper Tribunal considered whether a s.3 Mental Health Act detention can persist during long-term s.17 Mental Health Act leave without any active connection between the patient and hospital.
What does the COVID pandemic mean for the standard of care?
What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the interpretation of the appropriate standard of care? Chris Bright QC, John Coughlan QC, Gemma Roberts, and Neil Shastri-Hurst explore the key implications.
Vaccination – looking at all the relevant circumstances
Alex Ruck Keene analyses a Court of Protection ruling on whether a 31-year-old man with a learning disability should be vaccinated against Covid-19.
Health and Care White Paper: opportunities for local authorities
Kirtpal Kaur Aujla considers what the Government's Health White Paper means for local authorities.
The Covid-19 vaccine and capacity
A senior judge recently ruled that it was lawful and in the best interests of an 80-year-old care home resident with dementia and schizophrenia to be vaccinated against Covid-19 despite the objections of her son. Jennifer Swan analyses the judgment.
Community Treatment Orders: does seeing patients remotely suffice?
Jonathan Auburn and Lucy McCann assess whether decision-making as to community treatment orders requires physical attendance.
Ripping up the Mental Health Act - the journey continues
The Government has published a white paper on reforming the Mental Health Act 1983, promising that its proposed changes would provide patients with greater choice and autonomy in a mental health crisis. Sophy Miles sets out the key points.
The inherent jurisdiction, deprivation of liberty and out of hours applications
The Court of Appeal recently set out seven lessons for judges and practitioners in cases where urgent applications without notice are made, after concluding that a disabled man had his human rights breached. Alex Ruck Keene analyses the ruling.
More Features
July 03, 2025
Too much?
In the fourth and final article on a Court of Appeal judgment that involved an exploration of the law and procedure relating to challenges to decisions about care for young people brought after the event, Catherine Rowlands looks at the Court of Appeal view on whether a local authority accidentally accommodated the claimant.
Jul 01, 2025
Deploying ‘ADR’ in Planning & Compensation contexts
John Pugh-Smith looks at how these aspects of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can now be made to work and at different stages of a dispute. Put another way, the “A” in ADR is not just “alternative” but also “adaptable”, “agile” and “accessible”.
Jun 27, 2025
Removal from the village green register
The High Court recently ordered the deletion of school playing fields from the village green register. Ashley Bowes explains why.
Jun 27, 2025
The attendance of experts in family proceedings
Rosie Muncer looks at the lessons to be learned from how a High Court judge considered a case management application for the single joint experts in care proceedings to attend to give oral evidence.
Jun 27, 2025
Local authority enforcement powers and domestic beekeeping
Dan Jacklin provides a detailed analysis of the enforcement powers available to local authorities in relation to domestic beekeeping.
Jun 27, 2025
Too little? When intervention is not required
In the third article on a recent Court of Appeal judgment that involved a wide-ranging exploration of the law and procedure relating to challenges to decisions about care for young people brought after the event, Catherine Rowlands looks at how the local authority responded.
Jun 27, 2025
Closures of educational sites
The Court of Appeal recently refused permission to appeal in judicial review proceedings concerning the decision to close part of a school site. Leon Glenister and Edward-Arash Abedian look at the reasons why.
June 25, 2025
Public law case update Q1 2025
Kieran Laird and Sophie O’Mahoney offer a straightforward and concise overview of six public law and regulation cases from the first quarter of 2025 which highlight important points of principle and procedure.
Jun 25, 2025
The scope and purpose of s166 DPA: a procedural and not a merits route of challenge
The Upper Tribunal has provided important clarification on s166 of the Data Protection Act and orders requiring the Information Commissioner to progress complaints, writes Francesca Whitelaw KC.
Jun 25, 2025
Local government reorganisation: the impact on procurement and contracts
Craig Athorn and Stephen Dorrian look at the opportunities and challenges for public procurement and commercial contracts presented by local government reorganisation.
Jun 25, 2025
Recording and publishing officer decisions
Geoff Wild considers the much-misunderstood law governing the recording and publishing of officer decisions.
Jun 25, 2025
AI solutions: the contractual issues
What are the key contractual issues that public sector organisations should prepare for when implementing an AI solution? Justin Harrington explains.
Jun 25, 2025
How do you deal with conflicts of belief in schools and colleges?
To what extent can you lawfully restrict how your staff manifest their protected beliefs? Jo Moseley considers what schools and colleges can learn from a recent case where a tribunal had to determine whether a teacher, who objected to the school's decision to socially transition an eight-year-old pupil, had been unfairly dismissed and subjected to direct discrimination because of her beliefs.
Jun 24, 2025
Modifying subsidies: What is permitted and what is not?
Beatrice Wood and Oliver Slater explore recent developments and discuss the process of awarding subsidies.
Jun 24, 2025
Getting new PPP right: Smarter tools for smarter infrastructure
Nicola Sumner, Steve Gummer and Roseanne Serrelli discuss the 'dos and don'ts' of Public-private Partnerships in their new form.
Jun 20, 2025
Negotiating s106 agreements
Why does negotiating section 106 agreements have to be such a drag? Simon Ricketts looks at the key issues.
Jun 20, 2025
Heat network zoning coordination
Carrie Davies sets out some early-stage considerations for local authorities when it comes to heat network zoning coordination.
Jun 20, 2025
Mediating PFIs
Mediation is a potentially underused tool for unlocking contract disputes arising out of PFI, write Emma Beynon and Andrew Lancaster.
Jun 20, 2025
Generative AI and data protection
Justin Harrington sets out what UK public sector organisations need to know when it comes to generative AI and data protection.
Jun 19, 2025
Zones/RABs and heat networks: The path to an investible infrastructure asset class?
The UK’s new heat network zoning framework (the outlines for which were drawn by the Energy Act 2023) is set to redefine how low‑carbon heating is delivered by creating geographic zones, where district heat networks are the mandated, optimal solution.
Jun 19, 2025
The final say
The Court of Protection has provided an important reminder that it is the judge who has the final say as to best interests, writes Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon).
Jun 18, 2025
The seven questions to address in a welfare analysis
A recent Court of Appeal decision highlights the importance of analysing all the factors in the welfare checklist when considering a care and placement order instead of an overreliance on the ‘risk of harm’ factor, and sets out a 7-step approach to this analysis. Victoria Holland examines the ruling.
Jun 18, 2025
Too late
In the second article of a series on challenges to decisions about care for young people brought after the event, Catherine Rowlands looks at how the Court of Appeal dealt with the issue of whether a claim was brought out of time.
Jun 18, 2025
VAT on school fees and its impact on the SEND system: an emerging pressure point
Lauren Fullerton and Arran Dowling-Hussey look at the impact of the Government’s imposition of VAT on school fees has had on the SEND system.
Jun 18, 2025
Expert fees in public law children cases
When the expert exceeds Legal Aid Agency rates, what is the Court to do? Eleanor Hull analyses an important recent ruling from the President of the Family Division.
Jun 18, 2025
Producing robust capacity assessments and the approaches to assessing capacity
Lynette Wallace looks at the lessons from a recent Court of Protection ruling on capacity.
Jun 18, 2025
One teacher, two jobs
Alexandra Addington looks at a recent disciplinary hearing concerning a teacher who phoned in sick to work at a different school, and considers what steps schools and colleges can take if they suspect a staff member of moonlighting.
Jun 18, 2025
The 26-week timeframe and care proceedings with an international element
Gary Fawcett examines a recent Court of Appeal ruling on the 26-week statutory time limit in care proceedings with an international element.
Jun 18, 2025
Too little? Or too late?
In the first in a series of articles, Catherine Rowlands examines a Court of Appeal judgment that involved a wide-ranging exploration of the law and procedure relating to challenges to decisions about care for young people brought after the event.
Jun 17, 2025
Partial debt guarantees- Reviving Investment in UK Water Infrastructure
Is it Time for a Public Sector Major Infrastructure Debt Guarantor?
Jun 13, 2025
Unlocking legal talent
Jonathan Bourne sets out why in-house council teams and law firms should embrace apprenticeships.
Jun 13, 2025
Re A compliance in care proceedings
Emily Henshaw looks at what Re A compliance means and why it matters.
Jun 12, 2025
AI in the UK public sector
In the first in a series of articles on the adoption of AI by the public sector, Justin Harrington sets out some use cases and provides a regulatory overview.
Jun 11, 2025
Planning reform to accelerate housing delivery - at what cost?
Chrisa Tsompani examines how the Government’s sweeping planning reforms could reshape every layer of the building sector – from local authorities to small-medium builders, and considers the critical implications for environmental policies.
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Locums
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Events
Events
Events
To establishing whether Material Changes of Use have occurred - Ivy Legal Training
18-07-2025 9:30 am
Online (live)
A-Z Family Law: Take Two! - 42 Bedford Row 
Executive Programme in Public Procurement Law and Policy - University of Nottingham 
Business and Property Masterclass #5: Interim Relief – Acting urgently and getting it right - Cornerstone Barristers
10-09-2025 11:00 am
Online (live)
Property Law Roadshow 2025 - Bristol - St John's Chambers 
CUBAS Comprehensive Training & Licencing (Manchester), September 2025
Business and Property Masterclass #6: Rights of Light and Restrictive Covenants - Cornerstone Barristers
23-09-2025
Online (live)
AI in the Public Sector Conference - Westminster Insight 
Activism in the Workplace - 42BR Barristers Employment Law Annual Lecture 
DoLS Authoriser Training - LPS Law 
Property Law Roadshow 2025 - Cardiff - St John's Chambers 
Institutional landlord series: Possession – High Court Enforcement - 5 Pump Court
22-10-2025 4:00 pm
Online (live)
Institutional landlord series: Costs Recovery and Legally Aided Parties - 5 Pump Court
05-11-2025 4:00 pm
Online (live)
Annual Fraud Conference 2025 - Oxford Investigation Service 
HMPL Building Blocks: Tenancy Management – Assignment, Mutual Exchange and Succession - Devonshires
12-03-2026
Online (live)
Unpicking the Procurement Act Episode 2: Exclusion and Debarment - 39 Essex Chambers
On Demand
Online (pre-recorded)
Unpicking the Procurement Act Episode 1: Overview and New Procedures - 39 Essex Chambers
On Demand
Online (pre-recorded)
Unpicking the Procurement Act Episode 3: Contract Modification - 39 Essex Chambers
On Demand
Online (pre-recorded)
Unpicking the Procurement Act Episode 4: Challenges and Remedies - 39 Essex Chambers
On Demand
Online (pre-recorded)
Directory
Directory
