Legal | LocalGov


Council takes legal advice over listed building blaze 30/04/2025 Wiltshire Council is taking legal advice over a fire at a listed building at the centre of a planning dispute.
Fly-tippers to be charged for cost of seizing vehicles 30/04/2025 The Government is encouraging councils to work with the police to seize and crush vehicles used by waste criminals as part of a crack-down on fly-tipping.
Lambeth defends Dosunmu payoff 29/04/2025 Lambeth LBC has defended a payoff totalling almost £88,000 to its former chief who admitted failing to stop after a collision and driving without insurance.
Arson attack destroys buses for vulnerable children 28/04/2025 An arson attack on a Somerset Council compound in Taunton has destroyed four minibuses used for providing transport for vulnerable children and young adults.
Toilet access depends on biological sex, watchdog says 28/04/2025 The equalities watchdog has issued interim guidance for public bodies outlining the implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the definition of a ‘woman’.
Trial dates fixed for Liverpool City Council corruption case 28/04/2025 Trial dates have been fixed for two senior officers charged as part of an investigation into Liverpool City Council corruption.
Council launches lawsuit against Grenfell fire fridge maker 28/04/2025 Kensington and Chelsea has accused the manufacturer of the fridge blamed for starting the Grenfell Tower fire of failing to carry out adequate safety tests.
Directors of children’s services criticise pepper spray policy 24/04/2025 Council directors working in children’s services have criticized the Government’s decision to allow the use of pepper spray in young offender institutions.
Council spends £220k demolishing ‘man cave’ 22/04/2025 Forest of Dean District Council was forced to spend £220,000 demolishing an illegally built leisure complex belonging to a millionaire.
Enfield threatens legal action over ancient oak felling 17/04/2025 Enfield Council has threatened the Toby Carvery pub chain with legal action after the felling of a 500-year-old oak tree.
Cambridgeshire fined £6m after busway fatalities 17/04/2025 Cambridgeshire County Council has been fined £6m for health and safety breaches which resulted in three fatalities on its guided busway.
Fraudster jailed for ‘brazen’ Covid scam 16/04/2025 A man who defrauded Leeds City Council out of £710,000 during the Covid pandemic has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Busking to cease in Leicester Square 15/04/2025 Local authorities have suspended two busking pitches in Leicester Square.
Kensington & Chelsea launches legal action against Grenfell companies 10/04/2025 Kensington & Chelsea LBC has launched legal action worth around £360m against companies involved in the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower.
Combined authority offers staff support after mayor’s arrest 07/04/2025 Staff at West of England Combined Authority have been offered support after mayor and MP Dan Norris was arrested on suspicion of rape and child sex offences.
Anti-abortion campaigner fined £20k for ‘buffer zone’ breach 07/04/2025 An anti-abortion campaigner has been given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £20,000 to BCP Council for breaching a protest ‘buffer zone’.
Man charged in funeral home fraud case 03/04/2025 A 47-year-old man has been charged by Humberside Police in connection with a fraud case at a Yorkshire funeral home.
EXCLUSIVE: Sector bodies decline to join legal challenge 03/04/2025 County Councils Network and Rural Services Network will not financially support legal action over axing of the £100m rural services grant, The MJ understands.
Westminster City Council ordered to silence buskers 02/04/2025 A judge has ordered Westminster City Council to take action against buskers in Leicester Square.
Former Liverpool director denies bribery 31/03/2025 Liverpool City Council's former head of regeneration Nick Kavanagh has denied two counts of bribery in court.
Care providers launch legal action over NICs rise 25/03/2025 Care England has launched legal action over the Government’s rise in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for care providers.
Councillor resigns after indecent exposure guilty plea 17/03/2025 Leader calls for councils to be empowered to remove politicians who commit crimes after resignation of a councillor who pleaded guilty to indecent exposure.
Norfolk councils sued over alleged abuse in children’s home 14/03/2025 Former residents of a children's home in Norfolk are taking legal action against local authorities over allegations of historic physical and sexual abuse.
Disgraced councillor told to resign 12/03/2025 Disgraced Redbridge councillor Sam Gould has been urged to resign after pleading guilty to indecently exposing himself to a 13-year-old girl.
Former Liverpool mayor charged with bribery 10/03/2025 Ex-Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson is among a dozen people charged with bribery and misconduct.
Legal claims against councils hit 10-year high 05/03/2025 Judicial review applications against councils have hit a 10-year high, analysis of High Court cases over the last decade has found.
Council leader: Legally challenging grant axing worthwhile 03/03/2025 North Yorkshire Council's legal action against the Government over a £14m funding cut could cost more than £250,000.
Children in prison failed by ‘multiple services’ 27/02/2025 Children in prison have been failed by ‘multiple services’ and youth custody worsens their disadvantages, according to the Children’s Commissioner.
Deal suspends 'mass litigation' against councils 25/02/2025 A deal has been struck to suspend debt-ridden Thurrock Council's ‘mass litigation' against 23 other local authorities.
Grenfell council stands by contractor ban despite legal threat 24/02/2025 Kensington and Chelsea LBC is standing by its ban of a contractor involved in Grenfell Tower's refurbishment despite the firm mounting a legal challenge.
Landlord fined after 18 people found in three-bed house 20/02/2025 A landlord has been ordered to pay £37,000 after Barnet Council inspectors found 18 people, including children, sharing a home in Edgware.
Council staff left ‘in tears’ after LTN meeting 13/02/2025 Lambeth Council workers were left ‘in tears’ and offered wellbeing leave after a hostile public meeting about a low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN), the High Court has heard.
Council loses legal challenge over nursery fees 12/02/2025 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has failed in its bid to challenge a decision made by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
The cost of local authority trading companies 30/01/2025 Trading companies provide a model to deliver services under tight financial circumstances, says UNISON’s Paul Bell. But at what cost?
Parents take council to court over SEN funding 29/01/2025 Two sets of parents are taking Devon County Council to High court, arguing the council has agreed to make cuts to special educational needs (SEN) services.
Hollywood star loses two-year legal bid to avoid council tax 28/01/2025 American actor Mercer Boffey has lost a legal challenge to avoid paying council tax on his grade II listed property in Richmond.
Barnet issues s114 over unauthorised payments 24/01/2025 Barnet LBC has issued a section 114 notice over ‘unlawful' payments to and from the council's pension fund.
High Court blocks health benefit cuts 17/01/2025 Cuts to health benefits which were announced by the previous Government, and which are due to take effect in September, are unlawful, High Court rules.
Judge halts man’s bid to recover £600m bitcoin from council landfill 10/01/2025 A man’s 10-year battle to recover what he says is a £600m bitcoin fortune from a Welsh council’s landfill site has been halted in the High Court.
Deal reached after mayor launched legal case against own council 20/12/2024 Newham LBC has struck a £36,000 deal with its directly-elected executive mayor Rokhsana Fiaz after reaching an out-of-court settlement over race and sex discrimination claims.
Council U-turn on clawing back chief's pay-out 12/12/2024 Croydon London Borough Council has given up trying to recover cash from the settlement payment made to former chief executive Jo Negrini just before its financial collapse.
Police take 'no further action' against Croydon officers 05/12/2024 Police have decided to ‘take no further action at this stage' against former Croydon LBC officers who were investigated for potential misconduct in public office.
Mayor launches legal case against own council 28/11/2024 Newham LBC mayor Rokhsana Fiaz has launched a legal claim against her own council.
Over 100 councils report not prosecuting rogue landlords 22/11/2024 More than 100 local authorities have reported that they have not prosecuted any rogue landlords at all in half a decade, new research reveals.
Thurrock lodges High Court claim against APSE councils 18/11/2024 Thurrock Council has filed a High Court claim against 23 councils in an escalation of its dispute with the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE).
Why we urgently need the Hillsborough Law 11/11/2024 Matthew Smith, Partner and Head of Public and Regulatory Law at Bates Wells, discusses a new law aimed at introducing a legal duty of candour on public bodies.
Council fined £500k after dog walker death 11/11/2024 Cheshire East Council has been fined £500,000 after admitting breaches of health and safety legislation that led to a dog walker's death.
Thurrock threat to sue other councils after financial collapse 07/11/2024 Thurrock Council has threatened to sue other councils as it legally goes after the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) over advice it gave.
Jail warning for Welsh residents who reserved parking spots 01/11/2024 A Welsh council has warned residents of a street near Aberystwyth that they could face almost a year in prison for reserving parking spaces with cones.
Council attempts to recover payments to late chief executive 15/10/2024 A council is to launch legal action over payments to a former chief executive, who has since died.
Tower Hamlets begins inspection fightback 26/09/2024 Best Value inspectors sent into Tower Hamlets LBC have been personally threatened with legal action by the council, The MJ understands.
Abortion clinic 'buffer zones' set to come into force 20/09/2024 Safe access buffer zones will be in force around abortion clinics from 31 October, the Home Office has confirmed.
Councils granted new powers to tackle domestic abuse 20/09/2024 Local authorities are to be granted more powers to prevent domestic abusers from making contact with their victims, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announces.
Islington wins back £260,000 in fraud case 18/09/2024 Islington Council has won back more than a quarter of a million pounds from a resident who fraudulently took on a council tenancy.
Council to pay social worker £64,000 over harassment 17/09/2024 Cambridgeshire County Council will pay a former employee almost £64,000 over harassment relating to her ‘gender critical’ beliefs and sexual orientation.
Former chief given two-year driving ban 17/09/2024 A former Lambeth LBC boss has been banned from driving for two years after admitting failing to stop after a collision and not having insurance.
Former finance manager stole £930,000 from council 13/09/2024 A former employee of Gedling Borough Council has pleaded guilty to fraud after stealing almost £1m from the authority to pay off gambling debts.
Cambridgeshire to plead guilty after busway deaths 03/09/2024 Cambridgeshire County Council will plead guilty to two health and safety offences after three people died in collisions on its guided busway.
Row over collapse of legal action 22/08/2024 Proposed legal action over the Government granting planning permission for a large-scale solar farm has collapsed, provoking an angry reaction from two councils.
Council faces legal action over ‘foul language’ ban 20/08/2024 Thanet District Council could face a judicial review of new measures to ban certain activities, including the use of ‘foul or abusive language’.
Council accuses tycoon of misusing £150m of its investment 16/08/2024 Thurrock Council has launched a High Court lawsuit accusing Liam Kavanagh of misusing around £150m of investment funds to pay for his ‘lavish lifestyle’.
Glasgow faces legal action over education cuts 15/08/2024 Parents have begun legal action over ‘drastic cuts’ to education services in Glasgow City Council’s budget.
Councillor charged with encouraging violent disorder 09/08/2024 A Dartford councillor has been charged with encouraging violent disorder after he was filmed addressing a crowd at a London demonstration on Wednesday.
Family to sue council over paedophile former headteacher 08/08/2024 A family whose child was subjected to emotional and physical abuse by former headteacher and paedophile Neil Foden is taking legal action against Gwynedd Council.
Councils to take legal action over solar farm permission 08/08/2024 Suffolk County Council has initiated legal proceedings in a bid to secure more funding after the new Government approved a large-scale solar farm.
Council drops defence of road closure 07/08/2024 Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed it will no longer defend a legal challenge of its decision to close a city road bridge to cars.
Conman who ‘rinsed’ elderly victims of £500k imprisoned 31/07/2024 Lancashire CC welcomes a court decision to sentence a conman to nearly five years in prison after he scammed vulnerable residents out of more than £500,000.
Council uncovers fraud cases worth £3.6m 29/07/2024 Stoke-on-Trent City Council's corporate fraud team uncovered more than 140 cases of fraud in 2023-24, saving residents about £3.6m.
Council takes legal action over unfulfilled broadband contracts 29/07/2024 Essex County Council is taking legal action against broadband operator Gigaclear after three full fibre broadband contracts were left unfulfilled.
Council may have broken law over £4m contracts 25/07/2024 Middlesbrough Council may have broken procurement law when it awarded four contracts worth more than £4m, an external audit has found.
Council faces legal challenge over poultry unit 15/07/2024 A legal challenge has been launched over Shropshire Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a major intensive poultry unit.
Lone asylum-seeking child arrivals to Kent up 87% 15/07/2024 The number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking (UAS) children arriving in the UK along Kent’s shoreline has risen by 87%.
Government pulls defence of Cumbria coal mine 12/07/2024 The Government will no longer defend legal challenges of the planning permission it granted for a new coal mine in Cumbria.
Pub owner threatened with legal action over mural 03/07/2024 A landlord has been threatened with legal action by the local council after he commissioned a painting of a bull on the side of his 17th century pub.
Landmark fossil fuel ruling has ‘profound’ implications for planning 20/06/2024 A historic legal judgement has ‘fundamentally changed’ the landscape around planning permission for fossil fuel extraction, campaigners have said.
Inquiry call over asylum hotel use 17/06/2024 A charity has called for a statutory independent inquiry into the use of hotels for unaccompanied asylum seeking (UAS) children.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils consider legal advice over waste guidance 12/06/2024 Councils are considering seeking legal advice over statutory guidance that will tell local authorities to collect residual waste at least every two weeks, The MJ understands.
LGA pushes ahead with model parental leave policy 06/06/2024 The Local Government Association (LGA) has agreed to develop a model policy on parental leave for councillors.
Judge: Kent cannot wriggle out of asylum duties 05/06/2024 Kent CC has been told by a judge it cannot wriggle out of its duties to ‘accommodate and look after’ all unaccompanied asylum seeking (UAS) children.
EXCLUSIVE: LGA starts to shift on standards 04/06/2024 Senior Local Government Association (LGA) figures expect the organisation’s reluctance to beefing up the standards regime to shift after the General Election.
Council demolishes ‘Britain's biggest man cave’ 03/06/2024 Forest of Dean District Council has set to work demolishing a leisure complex that was built without planning permission by a local millionaire.
High Court judge in trees ruling 31/05/2024 Councils and developers relying on planning permission exemptions to preservation orders cannot automatically cut down protected trees, High Court rules.
Braintree withdraws legal challenge over asylum site 31/05/2024 Braintree District Council has withdrawn a legal challenge over the Government's use of former airfield RAF Wethersfield to house asylum seekers.
High Court dismisses Bibby Stockholm legal challenge 23/05/2024 The High Court has dismissed a legal case challenging the Government’s controversial use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to house asylum seekers off the coast.
BT: Too many councils failing to engage 21/05/2024 ‘Too many’ councils are failing to engage with telecoms giant BT as it works to switch customers to digital phone lines, the firm has said.
Biffa sues Scottish Government for £55m over DRS 16/05/2024 Biffa has confirmed it is taking legal action against the Scottish Government for losses incurred after the scrapping of the deposit return scheme (DRS).
Mandatory reporting exemptions a 'fudge' 13/05/2024 Ministers’ decision to exempt instances of child abuse from a new reporting law means they have dodged the mandatory duty demanded by a national inquiry.
Council and Premier League club in stadium row 10/05/2024 Nottingham CC has warned ‘no local authority can subsidise a Premier League football club’ amid an escalating row over Nottingham Forest FC’s iconic stadium.
Supreme Court overturns council’s Japanese knotweed fine 10/05/2024 A council in Wales will no longer have to pay out thousands of pounds in compensation for damage caused by Japanese knotweed, the Supreme Court has ruled.
Councils spend £45m on planning appeal advice 03/05/2024 Councils spent £45m over the past three years on external legal advice relating to planning appeals, according to a freedom of information request.
Council loses £600k buying back land it sold ‘wrongly’ 02/05/2024 Shrewsbury Town Council has spent £1.34m buying back land it had ‘wrongly’ deemed ‘surplus to requirements’.
Hainault: Council ‘shocked’ by sword attack 01/05/2024 A 14-year-old died and two police officers suffered ‘significant’ injuries yesterday after a man armed with a sword terrorized residents in north-east London.
Bristol officers accused of 'misleading' over development 26/04/2024 Officers at Bristol City Council have been accused of providing ‘misleading’ advice linked to a decision to approve a controversial 28-storey development.
Council apologises over FOI delays 23/04/2024 Walsall Council has apologised for delays to its response under the Freedom of Information Act.
Legal challenge prompts council to install new LED bulbs 19/04/2024 Barnet Council has agreed to install new, softer LED bulbs after settling a legal challenge from a resident who complained the streetlights were too bright.
Council warns of dangerous autism ‘cure’ fraud 18/04/2024 Greenwich council has warned schools and nurseries to be on guard after learning of an individual offering ‘experimental procedures’ for autistic children.
Trade union law ‘nullifies’ right to strike, court rules 18/04/2024 UNISON has welcomed a landmark Supreme Court ruling that found UK trade union law ‘encourages and legitimises unfair and unreasonable conduct’ by employers.
Rayner to be investigated by police after electoral law accusations 15/04/2024 Police have launched an investigation into whether Labour’s shadow local government secretary Angela Rayner broke electoral law a decade ago after allegations.
Council eyes cutting back rubbish collection 02/04/2024 A council could reduce how often it picks up household rubbish that cannot be recycled or composted to once a month despite Government proposals.
Court rules against police powers for West Midlands mayor 19/03/2024 The High Court has ruled against the Government’s plans to merge the role of the West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) with the regional mayor.