Fine Cell exhibition opens at the Royal Courts of Justice – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘As part of an ongoing initiative to use the Great Hall as a law-related exhibition space, and to welcome the public to the Royal Courts of Justice, a new exhibition showcasing the work of Fine Cell Work is now on display.’

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Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 17th February 2026

Source: www.judiciary.uk

Judge rules abuse claims cannot proceed because of limitation period and impact of delay on cogency of evidence – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Mr Justice Turner has decided in the High Court that he should not disapply provisions in the Limitation Act 1980 in a case brought by three men who claim to have been abused in children’s homes owned by Leicestershire County Council.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 19th February 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Boat owners lose appeal over moorings possession order in favour of Environment Agency – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The High Court has dismissed 26 grounds argued by three groups of boat owners in a dispute over moorings at West Molesey in Surrey.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 19th February 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

High Court quashes Care Act assessment over failure to identify overnight needs – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The London Borough of Tower Hamlets unlawfully assessed the needs of an applicant under section 9 of the Care Act 2014 by failing to identify overnight care needs in an “unexplained leap of reasoning”, the High Court has found.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 20th February 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

UK Athletics admit corporate manslaughter charge following death of Paralympian – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The national governing body for athletics in Great Britain has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter after the death of a Paralympian in London.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 20th February 2026

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

EU to ban destruction of newly made clothes, accessories and shoes – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘On 9th of February this year the European Commission adopted new measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to prevent the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing accessories and footwear, including additional detail on mandatory disclosures. These rules will apply from 19 July 2026 and aim to reduce the practice of textiles being destroyed before they are sold and worn.’

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UK Human Rights Blog, 19th February 2026

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

The future for lay trustees – Pensions Barrister

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

Paul Newman KC considers the government’s proposals for the future of pension trustees set out in a recent DWP consultation paper, and asks whether it spells the end for the traditional lay trustee governance structure.’

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Pensions Barrister, 19th February 2026

Source: www.pensionsbarrister.com

‘Complicating’ compulsory purchase reforms take effect in England – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘New rules that have come into effect in England risk complicating, rather than simplifying, the process of assembling land for development through the use of compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), a planning expert has said.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 19th February 2026

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

English court dismisses state immunity claim over unpaid rent – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The recent dismissal of a foreign state’s claim related to commercial property illustrates the willingness of the English courts to enforce clear contractual rights, an expert has said. ‘

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OUT-LAW.com, 19th February 2026

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Defective pleadings, process duties, and prejudice in judicial review – Administrative Court Blog

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Court of Appeal (Baker and Elisabeth Laing LJJ, Sir Nicholas Underhill) has allowed the Home Secretary’s appeal against the High Court’s finding that her failure to provide digital documentation confirming the status of those on section 3C leave breached her duty under section 55 of the Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009. The section 55 duty requires her to have regard to the welfare of children when discharging her immigration functions. The appeal was upheld essentially on procedural grounds comprising a confluence of (i) the claimant’s defective pleadings, and (ii) the prejudice caused to the defendant as a result.’

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Administrative Court Blog, 19th February 2026

Source: administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com

Company director fails in anonymity bid over SFO’s deferred prosecution agreement – Law Society Gazette

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘A company director has failed to keep his name out of a deferred prosecution agreement with the Serious Fraud Office.’

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Law Society Gazette, 19th February 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

City lawyers urge SRA to rethink anti-SLAPP campaign – Law Society Gazette

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The City of London Law Society today added to calls for the Solicitors Regulation Authority to review its approach to prosecuting allegedly abusive litigation, following high-profile failures. Society chair Colin Passmore accused the regulator of bowing to political and media pressure in pursuing so-called SLAPP cases.’

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Law Society Gazette, 20th February 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Reforming the admissibility of evidence of other sexual behaviour – Counsel

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Baffled by the government’s proposed s 41 reforms and by the Law Commission’s preferred model, Laura Hoyano looks at what won’t work, and what will’

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Counsel, 16th February 2026

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

The timing of call – the Inns consult – Counsel

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘A thoughtful discussion paper has been circulated by the Council of the Inns of Court (COIC) which asks each Inn to revisit the debate over the timing of call to the Bar. The question is whether call should be deferred until a pupil is entitled to practise.’

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Counsel, 16th February 2026

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

The new Judicial Skills and Abilities Framework – Counsel

Posted February 20th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘What has changed, and why? Paul Secher unpacks the new standards aligning the recruiting, training and appraising of judges – the first major change to the system for ten years’

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Counsel, 16th February 2026

Source: www.counselmagazine.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted February 19th, 2026 in law reports by michael

Supreme Court

CCC v Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust [2026] UKSC 5 (11 February 2026)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Salts Healthcare Ltd v Pelican Healthcare Ltd [2026] EWCA Civ 93 (19 February 2026)

Fridman v Agrofirma Oniks LLC & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 139 (19 February 2026)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Jamal, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 135 (19 February 2026)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Halliday, R (On the Application Of) v Parole Board for England and Wales [2026] EWHC 340 (Admin) (19 February 2026)

Simms-Davies v Southwark Crown Court [2026] EWHC 337 (Admin) (18 February 2026)

Southcroft Healthcare Lodge Ltd, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWHC 350 (Admin) (18 February 2026)

High Court (King’s Bench Division)

Shand v Kemkers & Ors [2026] EWHC 341 (KB) (18 February 2026)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

GS Woodland Court GP 1 Ltd & Anor v RGCM Ltd & Ors [2026] EWHC 351 (TCC) (19 February 2026)

Source: www.bailii.org

The Supreme Court Allows Lost Years Claims for Children in CCC – Quarterly Medical Law Review

Posted February 19th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘This decision has been long awaited. The logic of the decision of the Court of Appeal in Croke v Wiseman [1982] 1 WLR 71 has been difficult to reconcile with other cases but has governed the decision of first instance judges since 1982. Attempts at challenging it have generally resulted in compromises as the amount involved in a lost years claim alone will usually not justify the costs of an appeal. It is therefore good that this position has finally been clarified.’

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Quarterly Medical Law Review, 18th February 2026

Source: 1corqmlr.com

City council to pay £80k in costs after “unreasonable” refusal of consent to demolition works – Local Government Lawyer

Posted February 19th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Manchester City Council’s refusal to provide consent as landlord for the demolition of two warehouses to make way for a 1000-home housing development was “unreasonable”, the High Court has found.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 18th February 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

CJC calls for declaration about AI use in drafting witness statements – Legal Futures

Posted February 19th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Litigators should have to declare that they did not use artificial intelligence (AI) in preparing witness statements for trial, the Civil Justice Council (CJC) has proposed.’

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Legal Futures, 19th February 2026

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ex-Council Worker jailed for £893,926 Fraud Against Vulnerable Service Users – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted February 19th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘A former Bolton Council worker has been jailed for defrauding almost £900,000 in DWP benefits from vulnerable adults whose finances he was employed to protect.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 18th February 2026

Source: www.cps.gov.uk