BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in law reports by michael

Supreme Court

Gatwick Investment Limited & Ors v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE [2026] UKSC 14 (22 April 2026)

X and Y (Children: Adoption Order: Setting Aside) Re (Rev1) [2026] UKSC 13 (22 April 2026)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

O’Brien, R (On the Application Of) v HM Assistant Coroner for Sefton, Knowlsey and St Helens [2026] EWCA Civ 499 (22 April 2026)

RTM v Bonne Terre Ltd & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 488 (21 April 2026)

Revenue And Customs v Burlington Loan Management DAC [2026] EWCA Civ 461 (20 April 2026)

Turk v The Legal Aid Agency [2026] EWCA Civ 469 (17 April 2026)

Moran, R (On the Application Of) v Medway Council [2026] EWCA Civ 484 (17 April 2026)

MN (Vietnam) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 485 (17 April 2026)

Mavin v Wyatt [2026] EWCA Civ 448 (17 April 2026)

Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs v MR Currell Ltd [2026] EWCA Civ 445 (17 April 2026)

FH Holding Moscow Ltd v AO UniCredit Bank & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 468 (17 April 2026)

MR (Pakistan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 473 (16 April 2026)

56 Fellows Road Ltd v ABC Block Management Ltd [2026] EWCA Civ 401 (31 March 2026)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Moon Swee How & Anor v R. [2026] EWCA Crim 476 (17 April 2026)

Finch v R. [2026] EWCA Crim 477 (17 April 2026)

Wood, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 480 (17 April 2026)

Saheed v R. [2026] EWCA Crim 464 (16 April 2026)

Field v R. [2026] EWCA Crim 413 (16 April 2026)

Donaldson, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 441 (16 April 2026)

Wilson, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 427 (15 April 2026)

Leacock & Anor, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 490 (01 April 2026)

Taylor, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 496 (01 April 2026)

Vencatachellun, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 478 (31 March 2026)

Nolan, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 465 (31 March 2026)

Sala, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 482 (31 March 2026)

Welsh, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 466 (31 March 2026)

Garwell, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 437 (27 March 2026)

Ball, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 483 (27 March 2026)

Shiel, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 386 (27 March 2026)

High Court (Administrative Court)

ZHB v Cardiff City Council [2026] EWHC 913 (Admin) (21 April 2026)

Thompson & Anor, R (On the Application Of) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2026] EWHC 915 (Admin) (21 April 2026)

OQR v The Government of Norway [2026] EWHC 894 (Admin) (20 April 2026)

Chigwell Parish Council, R (On the Application Of) v Epping Forest District Council (Rev1) [2026] EWHC 901 (Admin) (17 April 2026)

Heart of Wales Care Ltd & Ors v The Council of the City And County of Swansea – [2026] EWHC 899 (Admin) (17 April 2026)

Royal Mint Court Residents’ Association, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government & Ors [2026] EWHC 904 (Admin) (17 April 2026)

Grzelczak v General Dental Council [2026] EWHC 890 (Admin) (17 April 2026)

JO, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Ealing [2026] EWHC 886 (Admin) (15 April 2026)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Hodgson v Hodgson & Anor (Re Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975) [2026] EWHC 922 (Ch) (23 April 2026)

Bargain Busting Ltd v Shenzhen SKE Technology Company Ltd & Ors [2026] EWHC 933 (Ch) (23 April 2026)

Godwin v Godwin [2026] EWHC 923 (Ch) (22 April 2026)

DMA Resources Ltd v Brazilian Nickel Ltd [2026] EWHC 833 (Ch) (21 April 2026)

Bown v Shipley & Anor [2026] EWHC 918 (Ch) (20 April 2026)

ETL Holdings (UK) Ltd v Munn & Anor [2026] EWHC 860 (Ch) (17 April 2026)

Amaal Ventures Ltd & Anor v Eros Ltd [2026] EWHC 870 (Ch) (17 April 2026)

McDaniel v Talbot & Anor (Re Estate of Mr Mark John Talbot) [2026] EWHC 928 (Ch) (17 April 2026)

SCIO-Fund SICAV-FIS & Anor v Merchant & Anor [2026] EWHC 815 (Ch) (16 April 2026)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Hoffman & Anor v Finalto Group Ltd & Anor [2026] EWHC 921 (Comm) (21 April 2026)

Aabar Holdings SARL & Ors v Glencore PLC & Ors [2026] EWHC 877 (Comm) (16 April 2026)

Indus Powertech Inc v Echjay Industries Private Ltd [2026] EWHC 827 (Comm) (10 April 2026)

One Unique LLC v Babaee & Ors [2026] EWHC 717 (Comm) (01 April 2026)

Jinxin Inc v Auletta & Ors [2026] EWHC 765 (Comm) (31 March 2026)

Petrichor Energy FZCO v Bashar & Anor [2026] EWHC 914 (Comm) (30 March 2026)

MHP Food UK Ltd v Sanson Foods Ltd & Ors [2026] EWHC 619 (Comm) (23 March 2026)

High Court (Family Division)

N, Re (Paternity: Unregulated Sperm Donor) [2026] EWHC 878 (Fam) (21 April 2026)

Confidential Prospective Adopters v BM & Ors [2026] EWHC 907 (Fam) (17 April 2026)

G (Discontinuation of Ventilatory Support), Re [2026] EWHC 812 (Fam) (02 April 2026)

A v Z [2026] EWHC 654 (Fam) (23 February 2026)

High Court (King’s Bench Division)

Smith & Anor v Copestake [2026] EWHC 924 (KB) (22 April 2026)

Beckett v Graham & Anor [2026] EWHC 920 (KB) (21 April 2026)

Winehouse v Parry & Anor [2026] EWHC 911 (KB) (20 April 2026)

McKenzie v First Greater Western Ltd (t/a Great Western Railway) [2026] EWHC 868 (KB) (17 April 2026)

Ridge v Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust [2026] EWHC 898 (KB) (17 April 2026)

Fairbridge Capital Ltd v Patel & Anor [2026] EWHC 897 (KB) (17 April 2026)

Sikander Grocers Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWHC 883 (KB) (16 April 2026)

ABC & Anor v XYZ [2026] EWHC 879 (KB) (15 April 2026)

Salford City Council v Fortis Developments Ltd & Ors [2026] EWHC 702 (KB) (10 April 2026)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

The New Lottery Company Ltd & Anor v The Gambling Commission [2026] EWHC 891 (TCC) (17 April 2026)

GMC Utilities Group Ltd v Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd [2026] EWHC 885 (TCC) (16 April 2026)

Mitie Care and Custody Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWHC 867 (TCC) (16 April 2026)

MJS Projects (March) Ltd v RPS Consulting Services Ltd [2026] EWHC 884 (TCC) (15 April 2026)

Source: www.bailii.org

LXLP: The role of clinical guidance and whether ‘risk reduction’ is sufficient to prove causation – Quarterly Medical Law Review

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘In what context should breach of duty be assessed where national medical guidance is inconsistent with the Defendant’s local hospital protocol? How do epidemiological studies that underpin publications by Cochrane, RCOG and NICE inform causation where they show that earlier or different intervention improves outcomes?’

Full Story

Quarterly Medical Law Review, 22nd April 2026

Source: 1corqmlr.com

The right to erasure and unfounded malicious allegations – Local Government Lawyer

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Ibrahim Hasan looks at recent regulations, introduced after an MP was subject of a complaint to social services, extending the law on the right to erasure.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 23rd April 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Supreme Court hands down landmark ruling on jurisdiction to revoke adoption orders – Local Government Lawyer

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Supreme Court has today (22 April) ruled on the power of the court to revoke adoption orders, concluding that a first instance court has no jurisdiction to set aside a validly made adoption order, “whether under the inherent jurisdiction or otherwise”.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 22nd April 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Exclusive: CA clarifies Mazur ruling after Law Society application – Legal Futures

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Court of Appeal has made amendments to its Mazur ruling to make clear that law firms are not at risk of committing a criminal offence through inadequate supervision of unauthorised persons.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 23rd April 2026

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

SRA “should ask KC” to review approach to SLAPPs – Legal Futures

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) should consider commissioning an independent KC to review its approach to prosecuting SLAPPs, a leading media lawyer has argued.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 23rd April 2026

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

AI playing “vital role” in managing legal aid work – Legal Futures

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘AI is fast becoming a vital part of how law firms can afford to carry out legal aid work, according to the practice director of the country’s largest legal aid practice.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 23rd April 2026

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Law Commission to review the environmental laws that apply to agricultural businesses in England – Law Commission

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Law Commission of England and Wales has announced a new project which will identify opportunities to simplify, modernise and consolidate environmental legislation that applies to agricultural businesses in England.’

Full Story

Law Commission, 23rd April 2026

Source: lawcom.gov.uk

Barristers’ professional standards are robust enough for AI use, Bar Council says – Bar Council

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Bar Council has published its response to the Civil Justice Council’s (CJC) consultation on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) when preparing court documents.’

Full Story

Bar Council, 21st April 2026

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Beckmann claims and limitation – Pensions Barrister

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

Daniel Jukes of Wilberforce Chambers examines a recent case applying a six-year limitation period to Beckmann claims, and why its reasoning may be open to challenge.’

Full Story

Pensions Barrister, 23rd April 2026

Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com

Memorialization of Thomas Corker in Falmouth church (update) – Law & Religion UK

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Thomas Corker, a 17th Century slave trader was a parishioner at the Grade II* church of King Charles the Martyr, Falmouth. A marble plaque and Latin eulogy to Corker, at present in a prominent position in the church, have been the subject of on-going local and national consultation. On 29 October 2024, we summarized the background to the plaque, and the introduction of a brass plaque (now removed), placed underneath the marble memorial without faculty approval. The following year, churchgoers were faced with a 1.2m diameter “blue plaque” which stated “Thomas Corker 1670 – 1700, slave trader memorialised here 1700-2025“.’

Full Story

Law & Religion UK, 23rd April 2026

Source: lawandreligionuk.com

Employment law changes tech businesses need to know about – Kingsley Napley Employment Law Blog

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘We set out below some of the key employment changes businesses should be aware of over the next 12 months. Some of these changes have already come into effect.’

Full Story

Kingsley Napley Employment Law Blog, 23rd April 2026

Source: www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

Meagher v The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge: A Case Analysis – Neurodiversity in Law

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The case of Meagher v The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge [2025] EWHC 30 (KB) has sparked debate regarding the extent of higher education providers’ duty of care towards students, when it comes to making reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010. Not uncommonly in higher education cases, both discrimination and negligence arguments were raised. This article provides an in-depth examination of the legal arguments presented, the broader implications for educational institutions, and the precedent it sets for future cases.’

Full Story

Neurodiversity in Law, 21st April 2026

Source: neurodiversityinlaw.substack.com

In Accordance With Law – Administrative Court Blog

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Divisional Court (Holgate LJ, Farbey J) has held, in the judicial review challenging the Met’s policy governing the use of life facial recognition (“LFR”), that the mere fact of a discretionary power being broad is insufficient to make that power not “in accordance with the law” (“IAWL”) or “prescribed by law” (“PBL”) for Article 8/10/11 ECHR purposes. It was this finding on the law against the claimants that mainly contributed to the claim being dismissed. I will argue in this post that there are arguments based primarily on authority, but also on principle, suggesting that the Divisional Court’s conclusion on this central legal issue is wrong.’

Full Story

Administrative Court Blog, 22nd April 2026

Source: administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com

Judge issues ‘costs padding’ warning to firms aiming for 25% cap – Law Society Gazette

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Personal injury firms have been put on high alert that any instances of fee inflation to reach the 25% cap will not be tolerated and could end up resulting in a regulatory probe.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 22nd April 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Judge calls for rule clarity on amending of claim forms – Law Society Gazette

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘A High Court judge has appealed for clarification on the issue of whether parties can amend claim forms that have already been served. Mrs Justice Heather Williams opted to uphold the decision of Senior Master Cook in Beckett v Graham & Anor to rule that an amended claim form was validly served.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 23rd April 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Met police in talks to buy Palantir AI tech for use in criminal investigations – The Guardian

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Metropolitan police has held talks with Palantir that could lead to the London force buying the US spy-tech company’s AI technology to automate intelligence analysis for criminal investigations, the Guardian has learned..

Full Story

The Guardian, 22nd April 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

Black children eight times more likely to be strip searched by police, report says – BBC News

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Black children are eight times more likely to be strip searched by police than their white peers in England and Wales, a new report by the Children’s Commissioner says.’

Full Story

BBC News, 22nd April 2026

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Supreme Court rejects bid to revoke adoption of sisters – BBC News

Posted April 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘A woman has lost an attempt to undo her adoption of two sisters after judges said to do so would go against the long held principle that adoption is “final and permanent”.’

Full Story

BBC News, 22nd April 2026

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Man whose wife killed herself cleared of rape and manslaughter – The Guardian

Posted April 22nd, 2026 in news by michael

‘A man has been cleared of waging a campaign of domestic abuse and sexual violence on his wife, who went on to take her own life.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 22nd April 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com