Month: August 2026

‘The court term in England & Wales ends today, 31 July 2026. Whilst this does not mean that the Court of Protection (or indeed the other courts) stop hearing cases, it does mean that there may now be a lull in what has been an exceptionally busy period for those concerned with mental capacity matters. We do not have an August Mental Capacity Report (for the July one – with huge thanks to Arianna Kelly for taking this on in my absence – see here); pending the September Report, there have been further developments in July which do merit flagging.’

Full Story

Mental Capacity Law and Policy, 1st August 2026

Source: www.mentalcapacitylawandpolicy.org.uk

‘A man has been jailed for keeping his dead mother’s body in a freezer at their shared home for almost three years, during which time he received more than £70,000 of her benefits and other funds.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 3rd August 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Robert Bowker looks at the First-tier Tribunal’s remediation order in Oyster Bay and considers its significance for local authorities exercising their powers under the Building Safety Act 2022.’

Full Story

Tanfield Chambers, 13th July 2026

Source: tanfieldchambers.co.uk

‘The Supreme Court’s decision in Saxon Woods v Costa is now the leading authority on the scope of the good‑faith obligation under section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 (‘CA 2006’). The Court unanimously held that a director’s genuine belief that they are acting in the company’s best interests will not excuse conduct that is misleading, exclusionary, or inconsistent with the duty of loyalty owed to the board. The judgment recalibrates the boundary between legitimate business judgment and fiduciary loyalty, with significant implications for unfair prejudice petitions, shareholder agreements, and corporate governance.’

Full Story

St Philips Barristers, 29th July 2026

Source: st-philips.com

‘The appeal concerned D, a seven-year-old child who had remained living with her father and attending her existing school after her parents separated. The mother applied for D to move approximately 50 miles away to live with her and change schools, alleging domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour by the father. Although Cafcass initially recommended a fact-finding hearing, the Family Court decided that one was unnecessary. A later section 7 report nevertheless assessed the disputed allegations, regarded the mother’s account as more compelling and recommended an immediate transfer of D’s residence to the mother as the “only emotionally safe option”. The Deputy District Judge adopted that recommendation and ordered D to live with the mother and change schools. The father’s first appeal was dismissed in relation to residence and schooling.’

Full Story

St. John's Chambers, 31st July 2026

Source: www.stjohnschambers.co.uk

‘We are delighted to launch the first issue of the St John’s Buildings Employment Newsletter, which we hope will be of interest to all Employment law practitioners. In this edition we have five articles from experienced members of the St John’s Buildings team: Jason Searle, Kevin McNerney, Diarmuid Bunting and Tarlun Ahari, tackling subjects including Vicarious Liability in Employment Law, Legal Privilege and Without Prejudice Communications, Issues of International Jurisdiction in the Employment Tribunal, Interim Relief: A Guide for Respondent Employers, and Medicinal Cannabis and Disability Discrimination.’

Full Story

St. John's Buildings, 28th July 2026

Source: stjohnsbuildings.com

‘We’re pleased to launch the first edition of our Criminal Law Newsletter, bringing together practical updates, commentary and guidance on key developments in criminal law.’

Full Story

St. Ives Chambers, 8th July 2026

Source: stiveschambers.co.uk

‘The Online Procedure Rule Committee (OPRC) is to produce a voluntary Code of Practice which will set out inclusion standards, technology and data standards and standards for the responsible and ethical use of AI.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 31st July 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

‘A Divisional Court has dismissed a statutory review challenge brought by local residents over the decision by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in January this year to grant planning permission for an embassy for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the site of the former Royal Mint in east London.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 31st July 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

‘The Court of Appeal has overturned a judgment which it said opened the door to “well-resourced parties corresponding their way” out of the small claims track – and would have blown it “to bits”.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 3rd August 2026

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

‘A Supreme Court ruling that sovereign immunity does not allow foreign states to escape accountability for injuries caused by acts directed from overseas could open the door to a wave of cases in the UK courts, experts have predicted.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 31st July 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

‘Two barristers and a surgeon have joined forces to create a chambers-style model for assigning medical experts.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 31st July 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

‘A retired Liverpool footballer has been made the subject of an extended civil restraint order after a High Court found his ongoing ‘creativity in pursuing’ litigation against international firm Charles Russell Speechlys goes ‘beyond the norm and…requires some intervention’.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 3rd August 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

‘A couple have been left facing a huge court bill after a “wretched” 14-year neighbours’ battle over a fence, an ornamental squirrel and a YouTuber’s offensive songs about the man next door.’

Full Story

The Independent, 3rd August 2026

Source: www.independent.co.uk

‘A funeral director who failed to bury or cremate people and gave bereaved relatives the ashes of strangers has been jailed for 20 years.’

Full Story

BBC News, 31st July 2026

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘Two men who piloted overcrowded small boats have been jailed for endangering others while crossing the Channel.’

Full Story

BBC News, 31st July 2026

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

‘A high-profile clinical trial of drugs that can delay puberty in children questioning their gender can go ahead after the High Court rejected a legal challenge by campaigners.’

Full Story

BBC News, 31st July 2026

Source: www.bbc.co.uk