Local Government Lawyer

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
King’s Speech 2026: key legislation for local government

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Automatic suspensions under the
Procurement Act 2023: the first case

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The test for lifting the automatic suspension under Section 102 of the Procurement
Act 2023 has been considered by the Courts for the first time, resulting in confirmation
that the new test is significantly different to the American Cyanamid test and the
suspension being maintained pending trial. Ed Williams looks at why.

Automatic suspensions under the
Procurement Act 2023: the first case

 

 

 

 

The test for lifting the automatic suspension under Section
102 of the Procurement Act 2023 has been considered by the
Courts for the first time, resulting in confirmation that the new
test is significantly different to the American Cyanamid test
and the suspension being maintained pending trial.
Ed Williams looks at why.

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Procurement Act 2023 – One Year On:
When it starts to get contentious

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the third and final article of this series, Jo Dumphy and Katherine Calder
from DAC Beachcroft consider some of the challenges facing suppliers and
contracting authorities in bringing and defending potential claims following
the introduction of the Procurement Act 2023, and highlight the practical
considerations when authorities come across them.

Procurement Act 2023 – One Year On:
When it starts to get contentious

 

 

 

In the third and final article of this series, Jo Dumphy and
Katherine Calder consider some of the challenges facing
suppliers and contracting authorities in bringing and defending
potential claims following the introduction of the Procurement
Act 2023, and highlight the practical considerations when
authorities come across them.

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Establishing relevant defects under
the Building Safety Act

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The First Tier Tribunal has provided helpful clarity on what amounts to a
“relevant defect” for the purposes of Remediation Orders and Remediation
Contribution Orders under the Building Safety Act 2022, writes Sarah Grant.

Establishing relevant defects under
the Building Safety Act

 

 

 

 

The First Tier Tribunal has provided helpful clarity on what
amounts to a “relevant defect” for the purposes of
Remediation Orders and Remediation Contribution
under the Building Safety Act 2022, writes Sarah Grant.

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The Employment Rights Act 2025:
What Public Sector Employers Need to Know

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of the changes in the Employment Rights Act 2025 will have a significant
operational and financial impact on public sector employers, particularly
local authorities and schools, where large workforces, high levels of unionisation
and public accountability increase exposure to risk.

The Employment Rights Act 2025:
What Public Sector Employers Need to Know

 

 

 

Many of the changes in the Employment Rights Act 2025 will
have a significant operational and financial impact on public
sector employers, particularly local authorities and schools,
where large workforces, high levels of unionisation and
public accountability increase exposure to risk.

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The Practical impact of the Procurement Act 2023
– the challenges, the benefits and the legal lacunas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the second of three articles for Local Government Lawyer on the Procurement
Act 2023 one year after it went live, Katherine Calder and Victoria Fletcher from
DAC Beachcroft consider some of its practical impact and implications, including
how to choose the right regime, how authorities are tackling the notice requirements,
considerations when making modifications, and setting and monitoring KPIs.

The Practical impact of the Procurement
Act 2023 – the challenges, the benefits
and the legal lacunas

 

 

 

 

Katherine Calder and Victoria Fletcher from DAC Beachcroft
consider some of its practical impact and implications,
including how to choose the right regime, how authorities
are tackling the notice requirements, considerations when
making modifications, and setting and monitoring KPIs.

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Weekly mandatory food
waste collections

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


What are the new rules on food waste collections and why are
councils set to miss the March deadline? Ashfords’ energy
and resource management team explain.

Weekly mandatory food
waste collections

 

 

 

 


What are the new rules on food waste collections and why are
councils set to miss the March deadline? Ashfords’ energy
and resource management team explain.

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The Procurement Act 2023: One Year On -
How procurement processes are evolving

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katherine Calder and Sarah Foster of DAC Beachcroft focus on
changes to procurement design at selection and tender stage in
three key areas of change that the Act introduced.

The Procurement Act 2023: One Year On -
How procurement processes are evolving

 

 

 

 

 

Katherine Calder and Sarah Foster of DAC Beachcroft focus on
changes to procurement design at selection and tender stage in
three key areas of change that the Act introduced.
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Service charge recovery
and the Building Safety Act 2022

 

 

 

 

Zoe McGovern, Sian Gibbon and Caroline Frampton set out
what local authorities need to consider when it comes to
the Building Safety Act 2022 and service charge recovery.

Service charge recovery
and the Building Safety Act 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoe McGovern, Sian Gibbon and Caroline Frampton set out
what local authorities need to consider when it comes to
the Building Safety Act 2022 and service charge recovery.

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Fix it fast: How “Awaab’s Law”
is forcing action

Eleanor Jones sets out
what "Awaab's Law"
will mean in practice
for social landlords.

Fix it fast: How “Awaab’s Law”
is forcing action

Eleanor Jones sets out
what "Awaab's Law"
will mean in practice
for social landlords.

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Common misunderstandings in drug and alcohol testing in safeguarding cases

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Case study: using enforcement powers for the remediation of buildings

The Government has made funding available, up to £100,000 per building, for local authorities to obtain legal advice on pursuing those responsible for remediating buildings – the Remediation Enforcement Support Fund. (The closing date for local authorities to apply for funding is fast approaching and is currently set for midnight on 28 February 2026.) But how does a local authority effectively…

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