Legal
High Court rejects call for judicial review on SEND spending
The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge from families seeking a judicial review to the Government’s funding of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Glasgow faces legal battle over homeless services
Shelter Scotland has launched a legal battle against Glasgow City Council over failures in its homelessness service.
EXCLUSIVE: Funding withheld from LEPs
Five local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have had capacity funding withheld in 2019/20 because they have not resolved overlaps, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed.
Council reaches £674k settlement with union
An employment tribunal brought by Unison against Somerset CC will not go ahead after they agreed to settle out of court.
Councils clamp down on rate collection with bailiffs
Councils sent bailiffs to 310 company premises a day last year due to business rate-related arrears, a new study has suggested.
Audit fees could rise
Fees could rise if the new code of audit practice changes the scope of auditors’ work, the sector has been warned.
Named person scheme dropped
A mandatory named person scheme for every child in Scotland – underpinned by law – will not now happen, deputy first minister John Swinney has announced.
Navigating the legal risks of investing in property
Some local government treasurers are asking if today's property investment companies will be tomorrow's Icelandic banks, says Helen Randall. She outlines the legal pitfalls to navigate and the key commercial aspects to consider.
Legal action threatens council income
North Yorkshire CC could lose annual income of £300,000 from home-to-school transport amid a legal threat from a disability rights campaigner.
Liverpool warns of 'perilous financial situation'
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has warned the council’s ‘perilous financial situation’ means it faces the ‘worst crisis since the Second World War’.
A fighting chance to support development
Changes to how the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) can be used came into effect this month - and should give councils better opportunities to deliver infrastructure effectively to support development, say Tiffany Cloynes and Natalie Harries.
High Court overturns election result
Swindon Council has welcomed a High Court decision to overturn an election in which the wrong candidate was elected as a councillor.
EXCLUSIVE: Questions over suspension of Thanet deputy chief
Questions have been raised about Thanet DC suspending its deputy chief executive shortly after he was approached to help resolve an ongoing grievance.
Hackney to take developer to court
A London borough is preparing to take legal action against a developer over fire safety fears in a block of flats.
New rules to increase housing deal transparency
Councils will be legally required to publish deals with housing developers after new rules were introduced.
Navigating Digital Transformation
Lucy Woods at legal firm Ashfords shares her top tips for getting the best outcome from digital procurement.
Government stands firm after Pickles plea
The Government has said it ‘would not be appropriate’ to pay legal costs to whistleblowers in electoral fraud cases despite a former communities secretary revealing he fought for it to happen.
Councils lose appeal to keep publishing fortnightly newspaper
Two London boroughs have lost their final legal appeal to keep publishing their fortnightly newsletters.
EXCLUSIVE: Two LEPs still do not have legal personality
Two local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have been granted extensions due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ after failing to adopt legal personalities before the April deadline, The MJ has learnt.
EXCLUSIVE: Charity Commission to intervene in £2.4bn rates dispute
Charity Commission experts will be called on to help the High Court settle the long-running legal dispute between councils and NHS trusts over rates relief.