Welcome to the Local Government Lawyer Marketplace Portal.
Here you can find the full range of services that public law departments and lawyers need. For departments, this page provides a directory of specialist legal advisers - including local authority legal departments that provide external services - expert witnesses, consultants, training courses, technology providers and much else besides.
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Apr 17, 2026
High Court rejects challenge to proposed closure of children’s centres
The High Court has dismissed a judicial review of a decision made by the London Borough of Ealing to close 10 out of 25 of its children centres.
Apr 17, 2026
Campaign group secures permission to advance all grounds in judicial review of Wales pylons scheme
A community group and charity who were granted the right to judicial review over plans to build more than 200 kilometres of high-voltage pylons and substations through rural Wales on four grounds but refused on two have now been granted permission on the additional two grounds, following an appeal.
Apr 17, 2026
County court grants council possession order in van dwellers case
Bristol City Council has secured a 21-day possession order to evict van dwellers from roads on the edge of the city, while a decision on extending a related injunction has been reserved.
Apr 17, 2026
Government supports Devolution Bill amendment put forward by planning KC over open spaces and statutory trusts
The Government has backed a Conservative peer’s amendment to clarify the law over open spaces held in statutory trust by local authorities.
Apr 17, 2026
Planning inspector makes partial costs award against council over change of position
A planning inspector has made a partial costs award against Somerset Council after a developer successfully appealed against its refusal of planning consent to convert a small castle.
Apr 17, 2026
Supreme Court to rule next week on power of court to revoke adoption orders
The Supreme Court will next week (22 April) hand down a landmark ruling on whether a court has jurisdiction to set aside a valid adoption order other than by way of appeal.
Apr 16, 2026
Mayor eyes legal challenge to development consent for major solar farm
Greater Lincolnshire’s elected mayor is looking for grounds to legally challenge the Government’s consent for a solar farm.
Apr 16, 2026
Forestry Commission secures record fine for illegal tree felling
A landowner has been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £268,751 for illegally felling trees after an investigation by the Forestry Commission.
Apr 16, 2026
County council abandons legal threat over reorganisation decision
Essex County Council has dropped plans to pursue a legal challenge over the Government's decision to reorganise Greater Essex into five unitary authorities.
Apr 16, 2026
Government to examine deaths of care leavers following 91 notifications in 2024–25
The Government has launched a review into the deaths of care leavers, in response to the fact that a “disproportionate number” of young people who have been in care die young.
Apr 16, 2026
ICO censures raft of local authorities for non-compliance with FOI statistics reporting
The Information Commissioner has issued practice recommendations to 9 local authorities and one combined authority due to their failure to publish Freedom of Information compliance statistics as required of public authorities of their size under parts 8.5 and 8.6 of s45 of the Freedom of…
Apr 16, 2026
Electoral Commission launches pilot to detect deepfakes ahead of May elections
The Electoral Commission has announced the introduction of a pilot scheme designed to detect politically motivated deepfake content, as part of wider efforts to protect the integrity of elections in an increasingly complex digital environment.
Apr 16, 2026
Ethics and Integrity Commission chair backs ‘middle ground’ standards regime
The chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission has reiterated support for a strengthened local government standards regime with greater enforcement powers.
Apr 16, 2026
Upper Tribunal upholds decision by First Tier Tribunal to name communication and interaction hub in Section I of EHC Plan
The Upper Tribunal has upheld a decision by the First-tier Tribunal to name in Section I of a child’s EHC plan a specialist "hub" run by a maintained special school, but located within a mainstream primary school.
Apr 15, 2026
Government to extend council tax repayment window and cap enforcement costs
The Government is set to extend the time households in England are given to settle council tax bills to more than two months as part of changes to how councils will be able to enforce late payments.
Apr 15, 2026
New ADCS president highlights importance of developing practice of safeguarding “in and across places”
The new Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) President, Ann Graham, has emphasised the importance of safeguarding “in and across places”, noting that children who are missing from one area are often missing together with their friends from another area, yet safeguarding systems…
Apr 15, 2026
Regulator hits borough council with lowest consumer grade after serious failings in its engagement with tenants
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has handed a C4 grading for Basildon Borough Council, after finding very serious failings during an inspection, including in the council's engagement with tenants and a lack of meaningful opportunities for them to scrutinise the landlord.
Apr 15, 2026
Places for People names ten firms to UK-wide framework for development legal services
Places for People Group has appointed ten firms to a £28m legal services framework for its developments division.
Apr 15, 2026
HMCTS to pilot AI transcription service for court records
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is piloting a new AI transcription service in the Crown Court in an effort to reduce the cost of accessing court records.
Apr 15, 2026
Southport inquiry finds “fundamental failure” by any organisation or multi agency arrangement to take ownership of risk that perpetrator posed
An inquiry into the Southport attacks in July 2024 has found a “fundamental failure” by any organisation, or multi-agency arrangement, to take ownership of the risk that the 17-year-old perpetrator posed, adding that essential information was “repeatedly lost, diluted or poorly managed” across…
Apr 15, 2026
District to explore judicial review over Hampshire reorganisation proposals
New Forest District Council looks set to seek legal advice on challenging local government reorganisation in Hampshire after a petition called on the district to launch a judicial review of the plans.
Apr 14, 2026
Monisha Shah to chair Legal Services Board
Monisha Shah has been appointed as Chair of the Legal Services Board for four years from 1 April 2026.
Apr 14, 2026
Councils to come under tougher rules for spending on road maintenance
Councils that fail to maintain their roads could risk losing up to a third of highways funding under new Government rules.
Apr 14, 2026
Unitary sends combined authority letter before claim over £20m highways funding shortfall
North Yorkshire Council has sent a pre-action protocol letter to York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, claiming the authority breached its constitution in relation to a funding decision.
Apr 14, 2026
Councils to receive extra £41m to support enforcement of new Renters’ Right Act powers
The Government is to provide an extra £41m in funding for councils to help cover the costs of new enforcement powers set out in the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
Apr 14, 2026
High Court to hear judicial review challenge over Chinese embassy permission
The Government's decision to approve a Chinese "mega embassy" is set to be challenged in the High Court after campaigners received permission to bring a judicial review.
Apr 13, 2026
Law Society issues practice note on conduct of litigation following Mazur appeal
The Law Society has published new guidance on who can and cannot carry on the conduct of litigation, following the Court of Appeal judgment in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys.
Apr 13, 2026
Council failed to provide school place or alternative provision outside the home when child with EHC Plan moved to its area, Ombudsman finds
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has uncovered service failure by North Northamptonshire Council in failing to provide a school place, or alternative provision outside the home, when a child with an EHC Plan moved into its area.
Apr 13, 2026
Devonshires strengthens Housing Management & Property Litigation team with partner appointment
Devonshires has bolstered its Housing Management & Property Litigation practice with the appointment of Rebecca Eastwood as Partner.
Apr 13, 2026
Supreme Court refuses permission to appeal in out-of-borough placement dispute
The Supreme Court has refused a homeless applicant permission to appeal in a dispute over an out of borough placement.
Apr 13, 2026
Government facing legal challenge over failure to proactively publish energy reports
A claimant has launched a judicial review challenge against the Government, alleging its failure to proactively release a set of reports on energy plans for heating homes is in breach of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs).
Apr 10, 2026
County issues legal threat following delayed reorganisation decision
The Leader of West Sussex County Council has said the local authority may consider launching a judicial review of the Government’s approach to local government reorganisation in Sussex, following a delay to a final decision.
Apr 10, 2026
Judicial review proceedings launched in High Court over Oxford United stadium development
A campaign group has launched judicial review proceedings in the High Court challenging a decision by Cherwell District Council to grant planning permission for Oxford United Football Club’s proposed new stadium.
Apr 10, 2026
Upper Tribunal criticises way ‘Working Document’ was presented to tribunal
The Upper Tribunal has refused permission to appeal against a decision of the First-tier Tribunal to name a particular college in Section I of a young person’s EHC Plan, but has criticised the way the working document was presented to the tribunal.
Apr 10, 2026
ICO says Met Police FOI compliance has never risen above 75%
The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued an enforcement notice against the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) after finding the force has never exceeded a 75% compliance rate in dealing with Freedom of Information requests within the statutory time limit.
Apr 10, 2026
Accountancy bodies publish new edition of International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) have released the 2026 Edition of the International Framework: Good Governance in the Public Sector.
Apr 09, 2026
Review to assess Home Office engagement with local authorities on asylum accommodation plans
The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has launched an inspection of the Home Office's engagement with local authorities in the planning and development of asylum accommodation.
Apr 09, 2026
Councils are “raiding” their financial reserves to fund rising costs of adult social care: King’s Fund
An increase in adult social care spending has resulted in the rise of external debt and a fall in usable reserves as councils attempt to cover increased costs whilst meeting their statutory obligations, the King’s Fund’s annual social care 360 report has warned.
Apr 09, 2026
Landlord avoids £255k Community Infrastructure Levy charge after successful appeal
A landlord has successfully appealed a £255,000 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) issued by Westminster City Council in relation to an application to vary a planning permission.
Apr 09, 2026
Monitoring officer issues s.5A report over governance issues within major project
Ashfield District Council’s monitoring officer has issued a Section 5A report over governance and procurement issues in relation to a major industrial project.
Apr 09, 2026
Judge rejects challenge to enforcement notice appeal decision by planning inspector
The High Court has dismissed a challenge to a London Borough of Camden enforcement notice served during a dispute over whether two buildings were in residential use or had become short-term lets.
Apr 09, 2026
Failure to serve sealed claim in compliance with rules “fatal” to planning statutory review claim, judge rules
The High Court has refused leave to pursue a case where a sealed claim form was not served within the required six weeks under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR), in a planning statutory review claim.
Apr 09, 2026
Council fined £50k after employee injured in ride-on lawnmower accident
Bassetlaw District Council has been fined £50,000 after being prosecuted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) over an incident in which an employee was seriously injured when a ride-on lawnmower overturned.
Apr 09, 2026
Planning Court refuses permission for legal challenge over approval of roadside services expansion
An amenity group has lost on all five grounds that it submitted to the High Court in a bid to judicially review a planning decision by South Norfolk District Council.
Apr 08, 2026
Judge rules it is in “best interests” of man who was previously resident in Spain for 30 years to remain in care home in Wales
A Court of Protection judge has ruled that it is in the best interests of a Welsh man who had lived in Spain for more than 30 years to remain in Wales in a care home, where he benefits from “frequent contact” with his family.
Features
Assets of Community Value – a sporting revolution
Proposed reforms to the Assets of Community Value regime, particularly in respect of sports grounds, are important for local authorities to understand, writes Sadie Pitman.
A new generation of development corporations
In the first in a series of articles, Thomas Horner looks at the role development corporations could play in delivering the new towns agenda.
Further reform for public procurement – The British Goods and Services Bill
Rebecca Rees and Jade Divers examine the key measures in the Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) Bill and consider its potential impact.
SPONSORED
AI and Lawtech solutions to the age-old problem of sourcing Counsel at short notice: A Management perspective
Kye Herbert, Barrister with Litigation Rights and senior manager in local government, shares his insights into how Clerked might assist busy in-house legal teams to claw back precious admin time.
Navigating Local Government Reorganisation
How Blake Morgan supports local authorities through the reorganisation process.
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…
How Finders International Supports Council Officers
Councils across the UK face a growing number of complex cases involving deceased individuals with no known next of kin, unclaimed estates, and long-term empty properties. These situations demand not only legal precision but also sensitivity, efficiency, and resourcefulness.
Webinars
Leaving care provisions demystified!
Ann Osbourne and Alison Pryor discuss local authority duties under the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014 – when the duties arise, what they encompass, human rights assessments, and the interface with the issues of immigration and homelessness.
More Features
Injunctions to restrain breaches of planning control
Mark O’Brien O’Reilly reports on a council’s successful application for a final injunction with both mandatory and restraining elements following unauthorised development in the Green Belt.
Who bears the burden?
The High Court has confirmed the law on proving whether advertising consent has been obtained. Chris Jeyes considers the judgment.
Lawfulness and applications for a CLEUD
The High Court has confirmed that lawfulness is to be determined as at the date of the application for a CLEUD. Jonathan Welch analyses the ruling.
Must read
Sponsored articles
How Finders International Supports Council Officers
Councils across the UK face a growing number of complex cases involving deceased individuals with no known next of kin, unclaimed estates,…
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)…
Sponsored articles
Walker Morris supports Tower Hamlets Council in first known Remediation Contribution Order application issued by local authority
Walker Morris has supported Tower Hamlets London Borough Council (LBTH) in issuing what is believed to be one of the first Remediation…
Unlocking legal talent
Jonathan Bourne of Damar Training sets out why in-house council teams and law firms should embrace apprenticeships.
Jobs
Solicitor/Lawyer - Children's Social Care
£44,075 plus market supplement of £8,223
Senior Solicitor - Planning & Highways
£48,226 plus market supplement of £10,445
Trainee Solicitor
£25,242 - £26,703 per annum
Solicitor/Lawyer - Planning
£44,075 plus market supplement of £8,223
Senior Solicitor - Adult Social Care
£48,226 plus market supplement of £10,445
Locum roles
Directory
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OUR RECENT ARTICLES
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Events
Certified Data Protection Officer Training (CDPO) - The Training Centre
20-04-2026 9:00 am
Online (live)
Getting it right first time: Making lawful decisions (Webinar Series) - Public Law Project
21-04-2026
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Rating Nuts and Bolts webinar series: Occupied, unoccupied and rates mitigation - Landmark Chambers
21-04-2026
Online (live)
39 Essex Chambers Half-Day Construction Conference in Leeds - 39 Essex Chambers
22-04-2026
North-east
Family Law 'Know How' Talk Series: Molly Mifsud Discussing Police Disclosure Orders- College Chambers
22-04-2026
Online (live)
Introduction to Judicial Review - DWF 
What’s a fair grade? Academic assessment and the duty to make reasonable adjustments - 3PB
22-04-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
Public Sector Insights: Managing risk in construction contracts - Blake Morgan
23-04-2026
Online (live)
AI and Information Governance: Bridging Innovation and Compliance - Act Now
23-04-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
Webinar: Assessing/Recording of Fluctuating capacity - Spire Barristers
23-04-2026 4:00 pm
Online (live)
Planning injunctions - Ivy Legal 
Drafting Policies for Local Plans - Kings Chambers 
Construction Forum: Defects Claims and the Role of an Independent Expert - Sharpe Pritchard
28-04-2026
Online (live)
The ERA – Dismissal and Redundancy - Sharpe Pritchard
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) - The Update - College Chambers
30-04-2026 5:00 pm
Online (live)
AI and Information Governance: Bridging Innovation and Compliance - Act Now
07-05-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
Vivienne Sedgley Joins Speaker Line-Up for PEBA Conference 2026 - 4-5 Gray's Inn Square
Data Controller, Processor or Joint Controller: What am I? - Act Now
11-05-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
