Public spending watchdog launches audit of social housing sector
The National Audit Office (NAO) has announced a review of the social housing sector in England, focusing on the quality of homes and the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks aimed at ensuring homes are safe and decent.
Reed announces plan to define role of mayors and strategic authorities in public service reform and procurement
Government plans to form a ‘task and finish group’ to define the roles of mayors and strategic authorities in public service reform are among a raft of new local government reforms announced by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Ombudsman upholds complaint about 'last wishes' form used by care provider when service user is at end of life
The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has upheld a complaint about a form used by a health and social care charity when a user of its services is at end of life, finding that the form caused “unnecessary confusion”.
Supreme Court grants permission to appeal dismissal of legal challenge to imposition of VAT on private school fees
The Supreme Court has granted a group of religious private schools, their pupils, and their pupils’ parents permission to appeal on all grounds the Court of Appeal’s dismissal of their challenge to the imposition of VAT on private school fees.
Government issues interim guidance on Supreme Court judgment on deprivations of liberty
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has published interim guidance on key points from the Supreme Court’s recent judgment on what constitutes a deprivation of liberty, outlining the main implications for health and social care staff, local authorities and others.
Council revises planning document for 4,000 home scheme following judicial review threat
Rushcliffe Borough Council is facing a judicial review challenge over a supplementary planning document (SPD) that could pave the way for up to 4,000 homes to be built and the closure of a local airfield.
Councils to explore legal options after Government revokes planning powers
Two of the nine councils designated by the Government this week under special measures - allowing applicants for major developments to bypass the local planning authority - have vowed to consider all options to fight the decision, including legal action.
Police arrest two former council staff in bribery investigation
Two former staff members of Leeds City Council have been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation of alleged bribery offences.
Court of Appeal to hear appeal over lawfulness of Care Act assessment
The Court of Appeal will this week (16 June) hear an appeal over the High Court’s rejection of a legal challenge to the lawfulness of a Care Act assessment conducted by a London borough.
Tribunal makes first remediation contribution order following application by central government department
A London property developer must pay £3.6m to cover the costs of serious fire safety defects in one of its buildings, following a remediation contribution order (RCO) issued by the First-tier Tribunal.
Local authority unsuccessful in appeal over supervision order
The Court of Appeal has rejected a local authority’s appeal against orders made at the conclusion of care proceedings, finding that the children's welfare “will not be compromised” by substituting a lawful one-year supervision order for the two-year order inadvertently made by the judge.
New statutory complaints duty comes into effect this week
From Friday 19th June, the requirement for all public authorities that process personal data to operate a formal internal complaints process for data protection issues, comes into force under a new duty inserted into the Data Protection Act 2018 by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.
Government revokes planning powers for nine councils in respect of major developments
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, has stripped nine local authorities of their powers to determine planning applications for major developments over ‘inadequate’ performance.
Forestry England to procure £1.2m legal services framework for renewable energy projects
Forestry England is to procure a legal services framework for renewable energy developments (notably wind energy developments) across the National Forest Estate.
Former head of GLD and Cornerstone Barristers KC among those recognised in King’s Birthday Honours
The former Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary, Government Legal Department, Susanna McGibbon KC (Hon), has been made a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
London borough settles dispute with Toby Carvery owner over felling of ancient oak
Enfield Council has reached an out-of-court settlement with the company responsible for the Toby Carvery at Whitewebbs Park, after bringing forfeiture proceedings against the firm over its decision to fell a 500-year-old oak tree in the restaurant's car park.
“Leapfrogged” welfare deputyship case to be heard in Court of Appeal this week
The Court of Appeal will this week (17 June) consider the question of whether and when personal welfare deputies should be appointed for adults who are unable to make relevant decisions for themselves.
Equalities watchdog issues consultation on technical guidance for schools
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has launched a consultation on updated technical guidance for schools, which explains schools’ legal obligations not to discriminate against, harass or victimise pupils.
Ombudsman recommends council issue guidance to caseworkers on duties when EHC Plans transferred
An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has found Kent County Council at fault for failing to follow its duties regarding the handling of a young person’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and for poor communication.
Family Court refuses local authority application to transfer care proceedings relating to 21-month-old child to Romania
A Family Court judge has refused a local authority application to transfer ongoing care proceedings relating to a 21-month-old child from England and Wales to Romania, finding that the final care hearing should take place in England, where the child is habitually resident.
Seven new Court of Appeal judges named
The judge in charge of the Administrative Court, Mr Justice Chamberlain, is among seven new Court of Appeal judges announced today (12 June).
SRA publishes revised supervision guidance after Mazur judgment
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published its updated guidance on supervision arrangements following the Court of Appeal’s judgment on Mazur vs Others.
Decisions about remote participation should not be based simply on resources: Judiciary
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary has this month (4 June) published updated remote participation guidance for the Civil and Family courts.
Palantir moves to sue Mayor of London over blocked Met AI contract while health secretary reviews NHS deal
Palantir has formally notified the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) that it intends to challenge in court the decision to block its £50m artificial intelligence contract with the Metropolitan Police, as Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley told the London Policing Board that the force must now…
Justice Committee questions capacity of Magistrates’ Courts to cope with criminal justice reforms
MPs have questioned the Government's plans to strengthen the sentencing powers of Magistrates' Courts, saying that they are “not convinced” those courts would be able to cope with planned reforms.
London borough issues legal threat against Greater London Authority over affordable housing policy
Tower Hamlets Council has threatened the Greater London Authority (GLA) with a legal challenge after claiming its decision to reduce affordable housing requirements would "seriously undermine" the London borough's ability to deliver homes for its residents.
Minister intervenes in preparations for draft local plan over 10,000-home shortfall
The Housing and Planning Minister has intervened in Torbay Council's emerging Local Plan after raising concerns that the draft meets just 42% of the area's local housing need (LHN).
Government proposes longer closure orders to help councils tackle rogue high street shops
The Government has proposed a new and longer temporary closure power to specifically tackle high street shops involved in criminality.
Welsh Language Commissioner renews call for application of language standards to more organisations
The Welsh Language Commissioner has reiterated the need for more organisations and sectors to be included in the scope of the Welsh Language Standards, following an investigation into how HM Prison and Probation Service is implementing its Welsh language scheme.
County approves next steps towards reorganisation judicial review
Hampshire County Council has backed plans to proceed with a judicial review against local government reorganisation in its area.
Judge quashes decision of planning inspector over “inflexible and mechanistic” approach to policy conflict on flood risk
A planning inspector made a “somewhat surprising” legal error by concluding that an application should be rejected due to flood risk issues despite concluding the project concerned would improve matters.
Acceptances for Fast Track NHS Continuing Healthcare down a third over eight years despite no change in criteria, research finds
Acceptances for Fast Track NHS Continuing Healthcare packages have plummeted by nearly 30% over eight years, health think tank the King’s Fund has said, despite no changes being made to qualifying criteria.
London borough sues architects over condition of library built in 2011
The London Borough of Southwark has confirmed that it has made a High Court claim for some £5m against an architectural firm because of the condition of its Canada Water library.
Adjudicator rules council does not need to pay extra money to former contractor for regeneration project
An adjudicator has ruled that North East Derbyshire District Council need not pay any extra money to a contractor that quit the Clay Cross Town Centre regeneration project site earlier this year.
Minister insists reorganisation decisions made within criteria as MPs question breakup of districts
The Government plans to stick to its timetable for local government reorganisation (LGR) and has taken its decisions in line with its own criteria, the Local Government Minister has said.
Reorganisation placing strain on council capacity and resilience, LGA annual report on peer challenges says
The pressures of local government reorganisation are "compounding" common challenges facing councils, including those relating to organisational leadership, effective governance and scrutiny, and financial sustainability, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
Information Commissioner suspended following workplace investigation
The Information Commissioner John Edwards has been suspended from his duties after an independent investigation into unspecified workplace issues found “a case to answer”, the ICO has announced.
SEND reforms likely to bring better outcomes but not financial sustainability, councils warn
Most councils fear the Government’s SEND reforms will not deliver a more financially sustainable system, even though they would lead to better outcomes.
London borough loses High Court bid against police front counter closure
The High Court has refused permission for Richmond Council to bring a judicial review claim against the closure of the London borough's last remaining walk-in police station front counter.
Council calls for “legislative support” in tackling unauthorised development where time of the essence
The Portfolio Holder for Enforcement and Regulation at East Hampshire District Council has called for legislative support from the Government to enable local authorities to be more proactive, when speed is of the essence, in dealing with cases of unauthorised development.
Legal sector chosen as first participant in Government AI ‘sandbox’ programme
Legal services will be the first sector to participate in the Government's AI advisory 'sandbox' programme, designed to accelerate the development and deployment of AI products and services.
Conservatives would scrap Public Sector Equality Duty, says Badenoch
The leader of the Conservative Party has called for the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) to be repealed "in its entirety" after criticising the policy for exposing public bodies to legal challenge.
Civil Justice Council to review track limits and High Court/County Court boundary
The Civil Justice Council (CJC) has agreed to undertake a review of county court track limits and the division of work between the County Court and the High Court.
Regulator of Social Housing to update approach to economic regulation
The Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) has said it plans to engage with the sector about potential updates to its approach to economic regulation, ahead of a formal consultation next year on revised economic standards.
Charities urge PM to rethink planning reforms and reverse “dilution” of environmental protections
A coalition of charities has written to the Prime Minister and Communities Secretary Steve Reed, criticising the "dilution" of biodiversity net gain and environmental assessment, among a set of warnings against upcoming changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
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Events
Inquest Law: Current Developments - 39 Essex Chambers 
How to Handle a Subject Access Request - Act Now 
International Relocation - 42BR 
AI Governance Professional (AIGP) - The Training Centre 
Public Sector Insights: Safeguarding in sport education in England and Wales - Blake Morgan
18-06-2026 10:00 am
Online (live)
The ERA – Discrimination - Sharpe Pritchard 
Kings Chambers Property Flagship | Laying the Foundations (Manchester)
24-06-2026 12:30 pm
North-west
Webinar: A masterclass in Forced Marriage Protection Orders, marriage and the Court of Protection - Spire Barristers
25-06-2026 4:00 pm
Online (live)
Public Law in 2026: One Day Symposium - Cornerstone Barristers 
4-5 Employment Law Conference - 4-5 Grays Inn Square 
Mediation strategy coaching: achieving better outcomes for clients in mediations - Devonshires
30-06-2026
London
Collaborate. Communicate. Connect. - Iken 
Land Deals v Public Works Contracts v Grant Funding Agreements - the choice is yours - DWF
01-07-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
The importance of staff training and the risk of failing to embed knowledge in an organisation - Devonshires
02-07-2026 11:00 am
Online (live)
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 