Day: 20 May 2026

‘Drawing on examples from nations with a Westminster system of government, I argue that historical practice shows that, as a matter of constitutional convention, a person can be appointed as Prime Minister when they are not a MP, as long as they will imminently become one. (I will describe this period as the ‘interim period’ but this should not be equated with holding office on a caretaker basis where conventions impose limits on the exercise of powers.)’

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UK Constitutional Law Association, 20th May 2026

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

‘An appeal by Arun District Council against a planning inspector’s decision cannot proceed because the council failed to serve two defendants in time, the High Court has ruled, even though it did correctly serve the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 20th May 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

‘In dismissing the claim (BEA, R (on the application of) v Staffordshire County Council Neutral Citation Number[2026] EWHC 1190 (Admin)) brought over the local authority’s placement of the claimant’s son with his paternal aunt, Kimblin J made a number of additional comments about AI-generated arguments, Litigants in Person and the rise in JR volumes.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 20th May 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

‘Data released on Wednesday [20 May] by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) shows 7,088 referrals were made in 2025-2026, marking the highest annual total since the body was established.’

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The Independent, 20th May 2026

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘A university professor is facing a £180,000 court bill after his legal challenge against a neighbour, whom he accused of rendering his £680,000 London apartment “unsellable”, ended in defeat.’

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The Independent, 20th May 2026

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Rachel Reeves is ​preparing to announce a planning shake-up ‌that would fast-track clean energy ​and infrastructure projects by curbing judicial reviews, the ​Treasury said.’

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The Guardian, 20th May 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘A nurse is expected to be struck off after she was found to have made “very serious” remarks about Jewish patients being tight with money.’

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The Independent, 19th May 2026

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that Enough’s website, LinkedIn post and GoFundMe page made unproven claims about how evidence from their kits could be used in court and how many women were raped in the UK each year.’

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BBC News, 20th May 2026

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘A woman who claimed that she struggled to leave the house or walk was exposed as a benefit cheat after being caught on CCTV taking part in Zumba and body pump classes at the gym.’

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The Independent, 19th May 2026

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘Andrew Malkinson has sharply criticised the decision to deduct up to £10,000 in legal costs from his compensation, following 17 years spent wrongly imprisoned for a rape he did not commit.’

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The Independent, 19th May 2026

Source: www.independent.co.uk