The parents of a 15-year-old pupil with special educational needs and disabilities have instructed lawyers to challenge the lawfulness of government guidance to schools on Covid-19 testing, arguing that it should be urgently revised to enable pupils with…

Given the speed and scale with which the Government needed to create new regulations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in future it needs to have the requisite tools in advance "to respond in a swift and proportionate manner that does not risk…

Barristers’ chambers Francis Taylor Building and law firm Poppleston Allen have published a 50-page report covering the COVID-19 related legislative changes which affected the hospitality sector, from the start of restrictions to Step 4 of the Roadmap and the…

The Court of Appeal has given the go-ahead for a judicial review of West Sussex County Council's decision to remove a cycle lane installed during the pandemic.

The Good Law Project (GLP) has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson, threatening legal action if he fails to issue guidance that protects vulnerable children and families as schools reopen.

The Government has launched a consultation on making permanent two time-limited permitted development rights introduced during the pandemic to boost high streets and hospitality businesses.

Hackney Council has successfully defended a judicial review claim over the decision of its Cabinet in September 2020 to adopt an emergency transport plan (ETP).

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) has heavily criticised Cotswold District Council for the way it handled a man’s request for help paying his council tax during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The number of serious incident notifications in England rose 19% in 2020/21 to 536, the Local Government Association has warned.

Lawyers to a Bangladeshi national with leave to remain in the UK but with no recourse to public funds have secured an interim relief order requiring Tower Hamlets Council to continue to accommodate him pending a decision on permission to proceed with a…

LGSS Law, the council-owned alternative business structure (ABS), saw revenue rise 14% and profits more than double in the financial year ending 31 March 2021.

The Department of Health and Social Care has withdrawn its emergency guidance on the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) and deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Hull City Council has become one of the first councils to formally adopt the use of an electronic seal.

An experimental traffic order was not invalidated just because the experiment it was designed for had been affected by the pandemic, the High Court has ruled.

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) upheld a greater proportion of investigations in 2020/21 than ever before, its annual review of complaints has revealed.

Around 60 Crown Court rooms will reopen by September and the leases of 32 ‘Nightingale Court’ rooms will be extended to April 2022, the Ministry of Justice has said.

Cafcass has implemented a process to prioritise and manage high workloads in areas covering Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Herefordshire family courts due to what it called "unsustainable pressures" on the family…

Campaign group Big Brother Watch has hit out at councils’ use of algorithms, claiming that most of those it had uncovered were “secretive, unevidenced, incredibly invasive and likely discriminatory”.

The time is right to consider a more radical review of local government finances, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has said.

Not all of the safety measures employed in HMCTS' buildings will go on 19 July when the England moves to step four of the Government’s roadmap and social distancing is no longer required, its acting chief executive has said.

The President of the Family Division has ruled out issuing firm guidance on how the family courts and the Court of Protection should approach their work after 19 July – dubbed ‘Freedom Day’ – when coronavirus restrictions are lifted by the Government.

Some coronavirus restrictions in England may need to be retained after 19 July to allow courts to run safely and efficiently, the Law Society has warned.

Without urgent action from government, the audit system for local authorities in England may soon reach breaking point, an influential committee of MPs has warned.

The London Borough of Lambeth has secured an order for possession against occupiers camping on Clapham Common.

The High Court has thrown out a judicial review challenge over the lawfulness of a decision by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care during the pandemic to award a £102.6m contract to a company for the supply of personal protective equipment…

From the beginning of this month, there has been yet more change on the possession front. Suzanne Gregson examines the latest position.

Stephanie McGarry and Alistair Taylor consider the Government’s updated guidance on Covid-19 vaccination of 12 to 15 year olds.

Fenella Morris QC, Sian Davies and Arianna Kelly analyse the Government's proposals for social care funding reform and look at the key issues for local authorities.

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.

Hari Menon looks at the problems that arise for employers where an employee stays away from work, pointing to the risks to his health from potentially contracting Covid.

Andrew Rayment, Laura McLellan and Kendel Shepherd look at the issues created by Long Covid and set out some practical steps for employers.

Are we turning a corner? Priya Sejpal examines the Government Policy Statement on COVID-19 enforcement and rent recovery restrictions for commercial leases.

Craig Elder looks at the lessons for local authorities in relation to leisure provision during the pandemic and considers the way forward.

Helen Tucker analyses the latest developments in relation to possession proceedings and evictions.

Natalie Foster explores the potential role of ‘Nightingale Courts’ and extended operating hours in unclogging the housing possessions backlog – and ensuring that the wheels of justice keep turning.

The freeze on possession hearings is finally starting to thaw – but how will the courts cope with the huge backlog of cases? Will mediation, online hearings, or a dedicated housing tribunal make a difference? In the first of a series of articles from 42BR Housing, looking at the potential solutions, Catherine Urquhart analyses the mediation pilot scheme.

The Court of Protection recently ruled that an 86-year-old woman with dementia should not be either forcibly given a Covid vaccine or deceived into accepting a jab. Rebecca Handcock and Hilton Harrop-Griffiths analyse the ruling.

What does the Divisional Court's ruling mean for local government? David Kitson, Victoria Barman and Mark Robinson look at what happens next.

Rupert Beloff sets out some important considerations for Returning Officers and other election administrators as they look ahead to May's elections.

Lyn Crawford looks at what property owners, developers and contractors can do about "urbexing".

The imminent High Court hearing over the ability of councils in England to continue to hold remote meetings after 6 May is about ensuring local choice, the leaders of the two organisations behind the legal proceedings tell Local Government Lawyer.

The following Family practice note from LexisNexis provides comprehensive and up to date legal information covering the participation of vulnerable people and evidence in family proceedings.

There has been some focus on the effects of anti-social behaviour upon neighbours but what about cases such as hoarding where the main person affected is the hoarder themselves and the property? Anna Bennett looks at the options.

A High Court judge recently allowed an appeal against a decision of a Circuit Judge to dismiss a claim that an asylum seeker who had been accommodated by a local authority under the “Everyone In” scheme did not have an arguable case that he had been granted a secure tenancy. Justin Bates explains why.

What do the Westminster and Good Law Project cases tell us about the courts’ attitude to procurement post-Covid? Léonie Cowen explains.

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.

Deborah Evans, Dennis Hall and Helen McGrath from LLG discuss devolution, Judicial Review, GDPR, The CfGS's Governance Risk & Resilience Framework, gender equality, flexible working, Rule of Law and Test and Trace.

Rebecca Rees gives ten tips for handling disrepair claims and Bethan Gladwyn provides an overview of the current rules and practice for possession claims.

Richard Harwood OBE QC looks at the Local Government Secretary's recent comments on Covid planning and pavement licensing measures for the hospitality and leisure industry, and propooses some other changes that would help.

Neil Murphy examines the data protection issues that arise with the return to school and the prospect of on-site tests for Covid.

David Mitchell examines a recent ruling that the late publication of coronavirus contracts by the Department of Health and Social Care was unlawful.

Master Dagnall recently gave judgment in a case which considered several issues regarding the pandemic and possession proceedings which are worthy of note as the stay on evictions has again been extended, writes Jane Talbot.

This week Deborah Evans, Dennis Hall and Helen McGrath discuss Covid Procurement Transparency, Local Authority Pension Investment, Emergency Legislation during Covid, Working Time and being 'On Call', News from Wales, Schools, Fly-tipping and Dismissal for Not Wearing a Face Mask.

Kirtpal Kaur Aujla considers what the Government's Health White Paper means for local authorities.

Amy Kelly considers the latest extension of the prohibition on enforcement of some possession orders in England and Wales.

Can employers require employees to be vaccinated? Joanne Bell and Louise Bloomfield consider some o the legal issues.

Amy Callahan-Page sets out the key points from a recent High Court ruling on risk allocation between a council and a leisure centre operator.

Sarah Clover recently supported a city council in closing down a gym which opened persistently in contravention of Coronavirus Regulations and the lockdown restrictions. She explains what this involved.

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.

Jonathan Auburn and Lucy McCann assess whether decision-making as to community treatment orders requires physical attendance.

The High Court recently quashed the Mayor of London's Streetspace Plan and TfL’s Bishopsgate Traffic Management Order. David Matthias QC and Charles Streeten explain why the black cab drivers succeeded.

This tracker from LexisNexis Local Government intended to be used to track the most recent key developments, legislation, guidance, parliamentary briefing notes and other sources of interest relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) local authority governance, where relevant to local government lawyers.

Louis Sebastian analyses a High Court dispute between a council and a leisure centre provider over where losses arising from closure of facilities during the current coronavirus pandemic fall.

An experienced district judge has issued the first fully reasoned judgment on a Covid-19 summary review. Gary Grant analyses the ruling.

The pandemic has introduced new hurdles in the provision of local authority led leisure services. Peter Ware, Catherine Rustomji and Alex Kynoch look at the different options available to councils, including establishing a charity.

David Gregory looks at a powerful recent Court of Appeal judgment on the consultation undertaken by the Government on changes to the delivery of children's services during the pandemic.

Amy Kelly analyses the latest prohibition on enforcement of some possession orders in England and Wales.

Horatio Waller looks at defining the enforcement role of local authorities and best practice on ‘designating’ officers for enforcement purposes.

Ed Hammond looks at the benefits of remote meetings and the likelihood the arrangements facilitating them will be put on a permanent footing.

Khatija Hafesji considers the Department for Education’s latest school closure and mass testing decisions and their implications for the right to education.

Gary Grant analyses the new enforcement tools that allow local authorities in England to take action against premises that do not comply with COVID-secure rules.

Gary Grant sets out the key points for businesses from the Government's regulations implementing the new Tier 4.

Elections are now likely to take place in May 2021. What are the challenges facing returning officers and their staff, running elections in a coronavirus (COVID-19) environment and what is being done to address them? Mark Heath explains.

Birmingham Magistrates’ Court has this week (10 December 2020) dismissed appeals against interim steps taken by Birmingham City Council on summary reviews of two premises licences that arose out of trading in breach of restrictions imposed on the hospitality sector as part of the response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Charles Holland explains why.

Charles Holland looks at how a “tidying up” amendment in the new All Tiers Regulations has removed an important obligation on the operators of a significant class of premises in Tier 3.