Government insists press reports claiming revised National Planning Policy Framework makes it easier to approve unauthorised Traveller sites are “wrong”
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has insisted that it is wrong to say that the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will make it easier for unauthorised Traveller developments to get planning permission.
Government urged to set out “clear roadmap” towards full incorporation of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into UK law
More than 70 organisations have called on Government to set out a “clear roadmap” towards full incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into UK law, as part of its forthcoming 10-year plan for Britain.
Police forces must make sure there is clear senior oversight for staff using Facial Recognition Technology: ICO
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has this week (18 August) published a new report outlining its expectations for the responsible use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by law enforcement, including the need for “lawful, proportionate and accountable deployment” supported by effective…
Council failed to properly have regard for Equality Act duties when woman with disability asked for reasonable adjustments, Ombudsman finds
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has criticised Birmingham City Council for its delay in meeting a woman’s care needs and arranging adaptations to her home that were required as a result of her disability.
Council launches rogue landlords taskforce after already issuing same number of enforcement notices than in previous financial year
A London council has launched a new taskforce to tackle non-compliant landlords, improve standards in the private rented sector and protect residents from unsafe housing conditions, after having already issued almost as many enforcement notices (153) this financial year as in the whole of the…
Council at fault for failing to inform man of section 47 investigation and poor record keeping, Ombudsman finds
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found Milton Keynes Council at fault for failing to inform a man of an investigation under section 47 of the Children Act 1989 following allegations made against him, and for poor record keeping.
Children’s Commissioner demands reform of Prevent programme
The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has demanded reform of the Government’s anti-extremism programme, Prevent, after finding at least 65% of referrals involving children from schools and colleges were returned to education settings, almost always after receiving no…
Charity Commission warns of threat of increasingly complex attacks exploiting weakness of regulatory overlaps
The Charity Commission has seen an 8% increase over the last 12 months in the number of times it has passed on information to other agencies such as HMRC, the police and local authorities.
Parish and town councils should have “meaningful representation” in strategic decision-making and local growth plans: NALC
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has called for parish and town councils to be recognised as “key partners” in devolution, and for the creation of new parish and town councils to be supported in currently unparished areas.
One in four people in England and Wales live in “legal aid desert” areas
Almost one hundred local authority areas are classed as legal aid deserts, according to new research from LexisNexis.
Vulnerable woman placed in care home in England from Scotland now habitually resident south of the border, senior judge rules
The Court of Protection has addressed wider issues of practice for local authorities dealing with adults placed in England and Wales from Scotland, after finding that a woman’s habitual residence had transferred to England.
Solicitors Regulation Authority highlights concern over AI-generated inaccuracies and breaches of confidentiality
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published a warning notice to remind the legal profession of their professional obligations when using artificial intelligence (AI).
Government issues guidance for councils on rights to service for migrants subject to NRPF condition
The Home Office has issued cross-government guidance for local authorities in England on the rights and entitlements to service and support for migrants subject to a no recourse to public funds condition.
Revised National Planning Policy Framework to introduce default ‘yes’ for homes near well-connected stations
There will be a default ‘yes’ for homes within reasonable walking distance of well-connected stations under the latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), effective today (17 August), the Government has announced.
LGA welcomes “positive step” towards wider devolution in ‘Rewiring the State’ paper but warns of capacity pressures
The Local Government Association has described the Government's recently published statement on its devolution plans as a "positive step towards wider and deeper devolution" across England.
Hinkley Point C subsidiary must comply with environmental information rules, UTT rules
The subsidiary responsible for a new nuclear power station currently under construction is a public authority for the purposes of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the Upper Tribunal (UTT) has ruled.
LGA raises concerns over capital risk metrics proposed by Government
The Local Government Association (LGA) has warned that proposed capital risk metrics for councils could stifle local investment and innovation, and has called for greater consideration of local circumstances before ministers intervene.
Leaked monitoring officer report reveals council approach to reorganisation legal challenge warrants section 5A report
Suffolk County Council’s monitoring officer has concluded that actions taken in connection with the authority’s legal challenge to local government reorganisation warrant a section 5A report, while opposition councillors have criticised the council for keeping his findings confidential.
Council repays more than £330,000 after social housing tenants overpaid rent for years
Mid Devon District Council has repaid more than £330,000 so far after mistakenly overcharging 1,200 social housing tenants and undercharging another 1,600 due to an error in the historic calculation of social rents.
Council hit with £6,000 fine after workplace stepladder accident
Wirral Council has been fined £6,000 after an employee suffered serious injuries when a stepladder collapsed beneath him while working on a council-operated farm.
Judge agrees to withdrawal of deprivation of liberty order for 15 year old despite opposition of guardian
The High Court has agreed an application by the London Borough of Brent to withdraw a deprivation of liberty order (DOL), even though the child’s guardian opposed this.
High Court refuses permission for challenge to decision not to take enforcement action against breaches of planning control
The High Court has refused an application for judicial review of West Oxfordshire District Council’s decision not to become embroiled in a neighbour dispute.
Medway seeks urgent ministerial meeting over £26.4m adult social care overspend
Medway Council has requested an urgent meeting with ministers after warning that “structural funding constraints” are to blame for a massive overspend in its adult social care services budget.
Parish council fails in legal challenge over approval for sand and gravel extraction at former airfield
Hamble Parish Council has seen all its grounds for judicial review rejected by the High Court in a case concerning a planning inspector’s decision to allow an appeal to permit aggregates extraction.
High Court rejects challenge to council declining to determine planning application despite change in national Green Belt policy
A council may decline to determine a planning application even when policy changes have occurred that could affect it, the High Court has decided in a judicial review case.
London borough pens parking agreement with e-bike firms
Southwark Council has secured an agreement with three leading hire bike operators that will see bikes subject to stricter parking rules.
Upper Tribunal sets aside striking out of appeal against selective licensing financial penalty
The First-Tier Property Chamber ignored several relevant considerations in a case concerning a penalty imposed on a landlord by the London Borough of Waltham Forest, and its decision must be set aside.
High Court judge rejects legal challenge over £295k Community Infrastructure Levy demand
A property firm has lost a judicial review against Westminster City Council on liability for the community infrastructure levy (CIL) on a building that was split in two.
Mother wins appeal over ‘pool finding’ in relation to bruising on her son
The Court of Appeal (Civil Division) has found that a mother should not have been found potentially responsible for injuries inflicted on a young child - anonymised as ‘Alfie’ - when the blame more likely lay with her former partner.
Upper Tribunal issues substituted banning order in case involving 104-year-old landlord
The First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) improperly exercised its discretion in a case concerning a banning order for a landlord aged 104.
Judicial review over care provision for 15-year-old dismissed
The High Court has refused permission for a judicial review brought on behalf of a 15-year-old life-limited child over the health and social care arrangements put in place following the closure of a specialist hospice.
Burnham expresses commitment to local government reorganisation
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has voiced his commitment to local government reorganisation, describing the transition as a "nettle that's got to be grasped" and saying the changes would help drive further devolution.
ACRO Criminal Records Office reprimanded by information watchdog over cyber security failings
Cyber security failings at ACRO Criminal Records Office left the personal information of up to ten thousand people, including some individuals’ sensitive data, potentially exposed.
Users who bring Meta glasses into courts or tribunals will have them confiscated on entry: HMCTS
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has made clear that Meta glasses will be confiscated from anyone entering its judicial buildings due to privacy concerns.
Defendant given suspended sentence after bringing caravans onto land in breach of planning injunction
Maidstone Borough Council has secured a suspended sentence against a man who repeatedly ignored court orders over an unauthorised development.
Vape shops to require planning permission under Government plans to boost high streets
Plans to require planning permission for vape shops are among a raft of newly-announced reforms aimed at re-invigorating high streets.
More than 500 staff launch equal pay claim at unitary council
Kirklees Council has been hit with equal pay claims brought by more than 500 staff members, the GMB union has said.
LawCare says caller data could have been stolen in cyber attack
A charity that runs a helpline for lawyers has warned that callers' information may have been taken as part of a recent cyber-attack.
High Court quashes permanent exclusion of disabled child, finding decision letter to be “lacking in reasons and analysis”
The High Court has quashed the permanent exclusion of a disabled child, finding that the Governors' Disciplinary Panel failed to carry out the proportionate assessment required by law before deciding that permanent exclusion was justified.
Legal challenge to second Carmarthenshire school closure rejected by High Court
The High Court has refused permission on all grounds for a legal challenge against a second rural primary school closure in Carmarthenshire.
More than half of councillors report rise in abuse and intimidation, LGA finds
Abuse and intimidation remain widespread in public life and appear to be worsening, research from the Local Government Association (LGA) survey has found.
District members block decision to allocate £400k in funding for local government reorganisation
Councillors at Torridge District Council have refused to set aside £400,000 in funding for local government reorganisation costs, after members said the Government should foot the bill.
Council secures prosecution over dog waste
South Gloucestershire Council has successfully prosecuted a dog owner who failed to clean up his pet’s waste on multiple occasions.
Bristol City Council releases audit report on diversity programme contracts after ICO rejects chilling effect arguments
The Information Commissioner has ordered Bristol City Council to disclose an internal audit report into Stepping Up, a Community Interest Company, after finding that the council's reliance on section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act was based on a qualified person's opinion that was too generic…
Tees Valley Combined names eight firms to legal services framework
Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) has appointed eight law firms to a group-wide legal services framework.
Jobs
Assistant Director of Legal and Governance
£109,418 per annum (pay award pending)
Senior Legal Officer (Non Contentious)
£41,771 - £45,091 per annum
Career Grade Lawyer (NQ + PQE lawyers)
£41,771 to £54,495
Litigation Solicitor/Principal Litigation Solicitor
£116,502.11 - £121,679.98 per annum
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Events
AI and Information Governance: Bridging Innovation and Compliance - Act Now
20-08-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
European Data Protection & Privacy Programme Management - DPO Ready - The Training Centre
24-08-2026
Online (live)
Awaab’s Law Phase 2: Preparing for Implementation - Devonshires 
How to Handle a Subject Access Request - Act Now 
Certificate in Planning Enforcement (CPE) Module 4 & Module 2 - Ivy Legal 
Free Expert Briefing: Antisemitism as a Safeguarding Concern - 4-5 Grays Inn Square
01-09-2026
London
NPPF 2026: An Initial Look at the New National Planning Policy Framework - Landmark Chambers
03-09-2026
Online (live)
Minerals webinar series - Part 3: Environmental assessment - Landmark Chambers
07-09-2026
Online (live)
Construction Law Update - Hugh James 
Training: BCS Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection - Blake Morgan 
Creating and managing effective subsidy schemes - DWF 
Welsh Housing Law Masterclasses - 4-5 Grays Inn Square 