‘In the second article in his three-part series on the Defective Premises Act 1972, Andrew Butler KC considers the statutory test of fitness for habitation and examines how the courts have interpreted what is required for a dwelling to meet that standard.’
Tanfield Chambers, 12th March 2026
Source: tanfieldchambers.co.uk
‘Andrew Butler KC commences a short three-part series of articles examining the Defective Premises Act 1972. This first article considers why the Act, historically overlooked, may now be assuming a more prominent role in property damage claims and explores the key developments shaping its renewed significance.’
Tanfield Chambers, 24th February 2026
Source: tanfieldchambers.co.uk
‘Ms Collardeau’s application seeking the committal of Mr Fuchs, for contempt of court. No separate penalty for contempt was ordered, but a costs order was made against Mr Fuchs, summarily assessed at £100,000 inclusive of VAT.’
Financial Remedies Journal, 9th March 2026
Source: financialremediesjournal.com
‘An Irish woman whose boss repeatedly shouted “potato” at her when they disagreed at work has been awarded £23,000 in a harassment payout.’
The Independent, 10th March 2026
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘This study examines women’s maternity experiences in UK policing across pregnancy, maternity leave, and return to work. Drawing on a large-scale mixed-methods survey (n = 4752), it highlights how organisational culture, rather than formal policy alone, shapes maternity journeys, wellbeing, and long-term career trajectories. Quantitative findings reveal declining support across the maternity stages, with only 25% of participants reporting adequate mental health support during pregnancy, and just 20% upon returning to work. Supervisor discretion, termed the ‘supervisor lottery’, emerged as a critical factor, with inconsistent communication, marginalisation of flexible working, and organisational silence during maternity leave undermining inclusion and engagement. Support experiences varied significantly across role, disability status, nationality, and length of service. Regression and correlation analyses confirmed that positive early-stage support predicted stronger perceptions of post-maternity work-life balance, mental health, and access to opportunities. However, flexible workers reported poorer access to professional development, suggesting persistent structural biases. Women experiencing weaker organisational support were more likely to report altered career aspirations, suggesting that disadvantage can accumulate across the maternity journey to reshape long-term outcomes. The study goes beyond identifying barriers to offer grounded, practitioner-focused recommendations to embed structural change. These include strengthening supervisory accountability, normalising flexible working, integrating perinatal mental health into occupational health provision, and formalising maternity-related communication pathways. A cultural reorientation is needed that views maternity not as a disruption, but as a routine, supported part of a sustainable policing career. Embedding these changes is vital to improving retention, organisational resilience, and the representation of women in UK policing.’
Policing and Society, 11th March 2026
Source: doi.org
‘A woman imprisoned and forced to work for a mother of 10 for more than a quarter of a century in “Dickensian” conditions has said nothing can give her back her lost years as her abuser was sentenced to 13 years.’
The Guardian, 12th March 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities experience the poorest outcomes across multiple domains, including over-representation in the Criminal Justice System. Despite several government publications, limited research explores their specific experiences within criminal justice services. This scoping review aimed to synthesise existing literature on the prison experiences of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller individuals, particularly regarding the extent to which their cultural needs are met. The review included qualitative studies published in English from 1994 onward, focusing on Gypsy, Roma and Traveller individuals’ prison experiences. A search of three academic databases and grey literature was conducted, and screening followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Variables were extracted to assess inclusion criteria, summarise findings, and chart demographic data such as gender and country of origin. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Core themes identified included discrimination, limited understanding of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller culture and relationships, and inadequate opportunities to meet cultural needs in custody. Although the small number of studies limits generalisability, the recurrence of these themes across different contexts indicates systemic issues. Overall, the findings suggest that Gypsy, Roma and Traveller prisoners have predominantly negative experiences, with key cultural needs unmet and poorly understood. The findings suggest more focused research and policy development are needed to address these systemic shortcomings within custodial environments.’
Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 11th March 2026
Source: doi.org
‘A claimant giving evidence in the High Court was fed answers through smart glasses he was wearing that were connected to his mobile phone, a judge has found.’
Legal Futures, 13th March 2026
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘The UK’s asylum system is being overhauled. The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has laid out a series of reforms that will affect refugees seeking safety in Britain. Mahmood argues that these changes – which include removing financial and housing support for asylum seekers who break the law, and offering incentive payments for asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected to return home – will remove “incentives” drawing people to Britain. She says they are necessary as part of a “firm but fair approach” to asylum.’
EIN Blog, 11th March 2026
Source: www.ein.org.uk
‘Welsh Water is set to pay a proposed £44.7m after the industry regulator found “serious and unacceptable” breaches in the supplier’s sewage and network services.’
BBC News, 12th March 2026
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘A therapist who claimed he could heal birth trauma through sexual touching and oral sex has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.’
The Guardian, 12th March 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
H (Children: Expertise of Witness) [2026] EWCA Civ 249 (12 March 2026)
High Court (Administrative Court)
The Director of Public Prosecutions v O hAnnaidh [2026] EWHC 540 (Admin) (11 March 2026)
High Court (Patents Court)
Nador Cott Protection SAS v Asda Stores Ltd & Anor [2026] EWHC 553 (Pat) (12 March 2026)
High Court (King’s Bench Division)
Berg v Jones [2026] EWHC 564 (KB) (12 March 2026)
Baroness Lawrence & Ors v Associated Newspapers Ltd [2026] EWHC 556 (KB) (12 March 2026)
High Court (Technology and Construction Court)
Source: www.bailii.org
‘An £8 million defamation claim against a high-profile tax commentator and former magic circle partner has become the first lawsuit to be defined by a judge as meeting the statutory definition of strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPP).’
Law Society Gazette, 11th March 2026
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘In Motor Insurers’ Bureau v Santiago Mr Justice Moody rejected a request from defendants that solicitors should specify the cost of interpreter services included as part of the wider bill. The ruling is a significant marker in the long-running dispute between claimant lawyers and paying parties about the level of detail provided for cost assessments, and how much if anything is being retained by the firms.’
Law Society Gazette, 11th March 2026
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Welsh Water is to pay a proposed £44.7m after the industry regulator found “serious and unacceptable” breaches in the supplier’s sewage and network services.’
The Guardian, 12th March 2026
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘It has often been said that “nothing is certain in life but death and taxes”. The determination of a person’s country of domicile is frequently relevant to both of these issues, just as it is related to whether a court has jurisdiction to hear a petition for divorce. In Ramana v Kist Ramana [2025] EWCA Civ 1022, [2025] 4 WLR 120 the Court of Appeal was concerned with the question of how a domicile of choice may be lost. To determine that question, the court considered a long line of case law frequently involving both death and taxes, in order to decide the correctness of a decision regarding the jurisdiction for a divorce.’
Financial Remedies Journal, 12th March 2026
Source: financialremediesjournal.com
‘HHJ Farquhar was confronted with the practical consequences of Mazur for family law cases. The issue arose when Family Law Partners, a highly respected specialist family law firm, sought an exemption permitting their senior Chartered Legal Executive, Ms Lisa Burton Durham, to conduct litigation.’
Financial Remedies Journal, 11th March 2026
Source: financialremediesjournal.com
‘A county borough council was recently ordered to pay just 10% of the amount claimed for credit hire charges. Tom Danter explains how the reduction was achieved.’
Local Government Lawyer, 12th March 2026
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The Senedd has this week (10 March) passed the Building Safety (Wales) Bill, which will establish a new building safety regime for residents of shared buildings across Wales, regardless of building height or tenure.’
Local Government Lawyer, 11th March 2026
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Among the areas the consultation will explore is the age at which digital ID should be issued, coming on the back of the government’s debates around online safety and restricting websites and social media to those over a certain age.’
OUT-LAW.com, 11th March 2026
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
© Inner Temple Library 2026