Late compliance, apology and resource pressures save council from contempt certification over EIR decision notice
The First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) has refused to certify Guildford Borough Council to the Upper Tribunal for contempt over its admitted failure to comply with a substituted decision notice within the required 35 days, finding that the council's late and piecemeal response was…
LGA publishes guidance on social media, reminding elected members “legal standards apply online as offline”
The Local Government Association (LGA) has published new guidance for elected members when using social media in their capacity as councillors, covering legal considerations, defamation and libel, reputational considerations and safety.
Council at fault for delays during EHC needs assessment process and failure to make Section 19 decision
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found West Sussex County Council at fault for delays during a child’s Education Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment and Plan process.
Committee urges incentives for landlords to accelerate Decent Homes Standard compliance
Further steps are required to protect tenants according to Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee report which requests both new incentives and stronger deterrents for landlords with the aim of speeding up compliance with the new Decent Homes Standard ahead of the 2035 deadline.
Sir Keith Lindblom rejoins FTB as Associate Member following 15 years on the bench
Francis Taylor Building has today (6 July) announced that Sir Keith Lindblom has rejoined Chambers as an Associate Member, following a “distinguished career on the bench”.
High Court refuses permission for Oxford United stadium judicial review
A community group has said it will challenge the High Court's refusal of its application for permission to bring a judicial review over Cherwell District Council's approval of a new 16,000-capacity stadium.
Environmental group seek to appeal High Court ruling on Gatwick Airport second runway
Campaigners have applied for permission to appeal the High Court’s decision to dismiss two claims seeking judicial review of the Secretary of State for Transport’s decision to grant development consent authorising dual runway operations at Gatwick Airport.
Oldham Council faces Section 5 report over continuing leadership deadlock
Oldham Council’s inability to agree on a leader is “no longer simply a political matter” but is a matter of “legal compliance, statutory governance and the Council's ability to continue operating lawfully”, the local authority’s monitoring officer has warned.
Civil Justice Council consultation highlights concerns over use of AI to prepare witness statements
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has heard concerns in the sector that using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to prepare witness statements may “reshape, embellish or otherwise influence evidence”.
Council calls for end to 1950s planning consents behind 'mega-shed' developments
South Gloucestershire Council has urged the Government to urgently amend or repeal two planning consents dating back to the 1950s, arguing they have allowed developers to bypass modern planning rules and build so-called "mega-shed" warehouses.
Croydon says scale of challenge facing council “remains significant”
Croydon Council has acknowledged that the scale of the challenge it faces "remains significant" in a report submitted to the Government.
Home Office consults on increasing length of closure orders
The Home Office has launched a consultation on increasing the length of premises closure orders under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
New initiative to link journalists with families to increase court reporting
A new initiative that aims to connect people seeking media coverage of their cases with journalists interested in family court reporting has been established.
Ofsted to crack down on unregistered children’s home providers through criminal investigations and prosecution
Ofsted has outlined a change in its approach to tackling unregistered children’s homes, which will include beginning a criminal investigation when it has concerns about the safety of children in an unregistered home.
HS2 tunnel extension lacked deemed planning permission, Court of Appeal rules
The Court of Appeal has found that tunnelling works to part of High Speed Rail 2 (HS2) did not have planning permission, following an appeal brought by North Warwickshire Borough Council.
North West council wins county court battle over cost of eradication of Japanese knotweed
Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council has won a case over whether it is liable for the costs of eradication of Japanese knotweed that spread onto a resident’s land from its adjacent park.
North Yorkshire retains legal counsel over airfield asylum accommodation plans
North Yorkshire Council has retained legal counsel to advise on newly announced Government plans to accommodate asylum seekers on a disused military site near a rural village.
Minister writes to charging authorities on Community Infrastructure Levy and household developer exemptions
Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook is to consult on reforms intended to help household developers inadvertently caught out by community infrastructure levy (CIL) regulations.
Court of Appeal rejects challenge to decision of planning inspector on outdoor advertising and discontinuance notice
No error of law occurred when a planning inspector found that a Manchester site should not be used to display advertisements, the Court of Appeal has found.
Community centre wins judicial review challenge over grant of new lease to another group and report to Cabinet
Cheltenham Borough Council has become embroiled in a dispute between two community centres that has seen it lose a judicial review.
Cabinet Office commissions review into Government use of disappearing messages and non-corporate communication channels
The Government has launched an independent review into the use of non-corporate communication channels (NCCCs) - such as WhatsApp and personal email accounts - by officials, advisers and ministers.
Cyclist who was thrown from bike by cycle-lane divider launches claim against London borough
Enfield Council is facing a personal injury claim after a cyclist crashed into a cycle-lane divider and suffered two broken elbows and a broken jaw.
London borough agrees to waive £70,000 care home bill after legal challenge
Croydon Council has agreed to waive almost £70,000 in care home fees following a legal challenge brought on behalf of a 75-year-old man with learning disabilities.
Ministry issues consultation on enforcement of council tax
The Government has published a consultation on the enforcement of council tax, which seeks views on amending regulations to introduce steps that councils will be required to take before moving to formal enforcement.
Spending watchdog urges mayoral strategic authorities to ensure local accountability
Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs) must ensure they have robust arrangements in place to support effective local accountability and transparency, the National Audit Office (NAO) has said.
Competition watchdog study into early years education and childcare services in England to explore role of councils
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a market study into early years education and childcare services in England, which will explore the role of local authorities, mayoral combined authorities and other regulatory levers, among other issues.
New guidance sets out key steps for licensing teams during local government reorganisation
The Institute of Licensing (IoL) has published local government reorganisation (LGR) guidance, which includes sections on the legal transfer of functions and the steps needed to maintain safe, lawful service delivery.
Council pension fund faces judicial review over climate risk assessment
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is facing a judicial review challenge that contends the council failed to meet minimum public law standards when assessing and explaining climate-related financial risk in its pension fund.
Repeal of “archaic” 200-year-old law sees end to criminalisation of rough sleeping
The Government has this week (29 June) repealed the 1824 Vagrancy Act, a move it said would end the criminalisation of rough sleeping and begging.
Environmental charity criticises lack of action by councils on sewage complaints
Campaigners from River Action have criticised local authorities' “inaction” on sewage pollution, after complaints were submitted to 13 councils under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Developer launches judicial review over planning inspectorate refusal of 850-home scheme
Housing developer Berkeley has launched a judicial review of the Planning Inspectorate's decision to refuse planning permission for the redevelopment of the Aylesham Centre in Peckham.
Council committee clears Reform leader over "confidential" rape case disclosure
A council leader who published information online about a child rape case has been cleared of breaching the Code of Conduct, despite an independent investigation finding the information was confidential.
Government intervenes in draft local plan over UNESCO world heritage site concerns
The Planning Minister has intervened in the City of London Corporation's emerging local plan after concerns were raised about impacts on the Tower of London World Heritage Site.
Council failed to act with a sense of urgency in managed move for resident exposed to gang involvement: Ombudsman
A council has been found at fault by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) after failing to act urgently while managing a move for a resident who was offered a property twice but saw the offer withdrawn on both occasions.
Government considering three new ex-military sites to replace asylum hotels
The Home Office has announced plans to end the use of asylum hotels and replace them with ex-military sites.
Court of Appeal dismisses subsidy control appeal over £140m combined authority loans to developer
The Court of Appeal has dismissed a claimant’s appeal over the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s (CAT) rejection of its challenge against Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) over £140m in loans given to rival developers.
City council facing equal pay claims worth "hundreds of millions"
More than 4,000 women have joined an equal pay claim against Leeds City Council, according to GMB Union.
Two further councils launch reorganisation judicial review proceedings
Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council have each committed to launching judicial review proceedings against local government reorganisation (LGR) plans in their areas.
Tees Valley Combined Authority names new monitoring officer
The Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) has appointed Andrew Perriman as its new Monitoring Officer.
Burnham reveals plans for “biggest rebalancing of power our country has seen”
Andy Burnham has pledged to shift power out of Whitehall through a major expansion of devolution, establish a ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester, and deliver the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period.
Directors of Children's Services urge greater clarity in information sharing duty statutory guidance
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has issued its response to draft statutory guidance on the information sharing duty introduced in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.
Environment Agency issues warning letter over unpermitted river clean-up to trust set up by barrister
The Environment Agency has stopped short of prosecuting a barrister behind an unpermitted river clean-up, despite concluding that the work damaged wildlife habitats and contributed to the spread of invasive species.
High Court judge remits case on delay in providing accommodation for fresh hearing
The county court erred in its treatment of a delay by the London Borough of Lambeth in providing a claimant with accommodation.
High Court rejects judicial review claim over Welsh council plans for school closure
A judge has rejected a judicial review claim against Carmarthenshire County Council regarding school closure plans, while highlighting “concern” about the way in which the council chose to address one of the grounds of challenge.
Number of EHC plans up by 12.5% in one year - the highest year-on-year increase since their introduction in 2014
New data published by the Department for Education (DfE) has shown a 12.5% increase in the number of EHC plans from January 2025 to January 2026, bringing the total to 718,838.
Jobs
Principal Lawyer – Litigation and Licensing
£61,325 - £70,706 per annum
Lawyer (Contracts)
£55,323 - £65,181 per annum
Senior Legal Advisor (Childcare)
£40,643 - £54,423 per annum, plus Market Supplement of up to £7,500 per annum (dependant on experience)
Director of Legal and Governance
Up to £109,000 per annum
Principal Lawyer – Contracts
£61,325 - £70,706 per annum
Associate Director - Legal and Democratic Services
£81,192 - £89,989 per annum, plus £5,000 Monitoring Officer allowance
Legal Adviser - Criminal Courts Team
£116,502.11 - £121,679.98 per annum
Litigation Lawyer (Civil and Criminal)
£45,091 to £48,226
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Directory
Events
AI and Information Governance: Bridging Innovation and Compliance - Act Now
07-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
PATC | Adult social care update - Hugh James 
Private Law Update - 42BR 
Child Law Lectures - College Chambers 
Driving Renewable and Sustainable Development in the Public Sector - DWF
09-07-2026 2:00 pm
Online (live)
Understanding the Crime and Policing Act 2026: Implications for social housing providers - Devonshires
09-07-2026 2:00 pm
Online (live)
Minerals webinar series - Part 2: Development management - Landmark Chambers
13-07-2026
Online (live)
PATC | North Wales Conference 2026 - Hugh James
HMPL Building Blocks: Tackling Non-occupation and Sub-letting - Devonshires
14-07-2026
Online (live)
Turning Tensions into Trust: A New Mediatory Approach to Party Walls, Rights of Light and other Neighbour Conflicts - 39 Essex Chambers
15-07-2026
Online (live)
Certified Data Protection Officer Training (CDPO) - The Training Centre
15-07-2026 9:00 am
Online (live)
Managing the Commercial Market Operator (CMO) principle in Subsidy Control - DWF
15-07-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
3PB's Renters' Rights Act Panel Discussion - 3PB 
Development Management: Top Tips for Local Planning Authorities - Cornerstone Barristers
17-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
How to Handle a Subject Access Request - Act Now
Law Enforcement Data Processing and Part 3 of the DPA 2018 - Act Now
21-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
Data Controller, Processor or Joint Controller: What am I? - Act Now
31-07-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
