A barrister who successfully defended a pub landlord accused of failing to close his pub during tier 4 lockdown in February 2021 has claimed the case should serve “as a reminder that even in extraordinary circumstances, the rules of PACE and good practice…

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued a statement on ‘long Covid’, disability and the Equality Act.

The Local Government Association has called for the introduction of a permanent but locally led pavement licensing regime.

The Government has chosen not to appeal last week's High Court ruling that found its policy at the start of the pandemic to discharge patients to care homes without Covid-19 testing was unlawful.

The Cabinet Office has appointed law firm Burges Salmon to a £9.8m contract to provide legal services for the Public Inquiry into Covid-19.

Leigh Day has said it is looking into potential claims on behalf of families following last week’s High Court ruling that government policy issued in the early stages of the pandemic which let patients be discharged from hospitals to care homes without…

A Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation has found Cambridgeshire County Council at fault after a vulnerable boy was left without education for 14 months.

The number of households threatened with homelessness due to service of a Section 21 notice to end an Assured Shorthold Tenancy was 168.4% higher between October and December 2021 when compared with the same quarter last year, according to the latest data…

Government policy issued in the early stages of the pandemic which let patients be discharged from hospitals to care homes without Covid-19 testing was unlawful, the High Court has ruled.

The Government will launch a £25m ‘Public Sector Fraud Authority’ in July in a bid to recover money stolen from Covid support schemes and spot suspicious companies and people seeking Government contracts.

An NHS Trust has conceded, following a judicial review challenge, that its decision to close a hospital over staffing issues partly attributed to pandemic pressures was unlawful.

With effect from 26 April 2022, the general default position in the Administrative Court in Wales and on the Midland, Northern, North-Eastern and Western Circuits will be that hearings will be in person, liaison judges have said.

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has seen Southend-on-Sea City Council agree to pay £9,000 to the mother of a child who was left without suitable schooling for more than a year.

Cafcass saw a 6.2% reduction in public law children’s cases between April 2021 and March 2022 compared to its previous financial year, it has emerged.

The London Borough of Lambeth lawfully discharged the public sector equality duty when it made three experimental traffic orders (ETOs) for low traffic neighbourhoods, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

The average time for a care or supervision case to reach first disposal throughout 2021 was 45 weeks, up 6 weeks from 2020, according to data published by the Ministry of Justice.

A Neath man received custodial sentences totalling 24 months at Swansea Crown Court last week, in connection with a fraudulent attempt to claim a £25,000 Covid grant aimed at helping businesses stay afloat during lockdown.

Stockton Borough Council has successfully defended a decision of its licensing sub-committee to revoke the licence of a premises for contravention of coronavirus regulations.

The cross-party Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has expressed "concerns" over Parliament's inability to properly scrutinise and amend emergency provisions in the Coronavirus Act 2020 over the last two years.

Two bus operators have lost a High Court challenge to the decision by Andy Burnham, elected mayor of Greater Manchester, to proceed with bus franchising.

Thirty of the so-called ‘Nightingale Courts’ set up during the pandemic are to be extended but 22 will be closed, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

The Covid-19 pandemic placed unprecedented pressure on councils and care providers, and “ in some authorities, dealing with public concerns and complaints itself became a casualty of the crisis”, a special report from the Local Government and Social Care…

Five local government organisations including the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) and Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) have asked councils to consider passing a motion and writing to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and…

Croydon Council has agreed to pay £10,000 after a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman investigation into the local authority’s decision to refuse a Small Business Grant (SBG).

The Government did not comply with the public sector equality duty when appointing two senior officials to roles as part of its response to the pandemic, the Divisional Court has found.

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 Vice President of the Court of Protection has issued short practical guidance containing suggestions as to how the Court and practitioners “might ensure that meetings between the Judge and P, during proceedings, are conducted most effectively and enhance the participation of P”.

What does the Covid-19 inquiry mean for local authorities? Olivia Carter and David Owens explain.

Last week, a government minister called the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) a “truly malign piece of legislation”. Ibrahim Hasan looks at what the comments tell us.

In the second of three articles on the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Bill and the new Code of Practice, Edward Blakeney and Mattie Green look at the moratorium on certain remedies and insolvency arrangements.

One strong trend as a result of Covid has been the increase in the number of structures built in gardens to facilitate working from home. Many of the householders will not have considered the CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) consequences of carrying through such a project, writes Christopher Cant.

Josie Canham-Williams summarises the first case to address the administration of the Covid-19 vaccination for 12-15 year olds and the winter flu vaccination for children in school years 7 to 11.

The first Employment Tribunal decision in a pandemic-related protected disclosures claim has just been issued. Debra Gers looks at the lessons for employers from the ruling.

Clare Hartley and Chloe Postlethwaite analyse the latest favourable ruling for landlords in relation to commercial rent recovery during Covid-19, a judgment that confirms landlords can currently still rely on the court route notwithstanding the UK Government’s plans for arbitration next year.

Philippa Jackson analyses the latest rulings in relation to low traffic neighbourhoods and what they mean for future legal challenges.

With the move to working from home, what will become of public sector office buildings? Amy Entwistle looks at the position in Scotland.

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.