The boundless capacity for stupidity – Nearly Legal

Posted September 17th, 2025 in news by michael

‘Neither of these are housing law cases, but sometimes judgments come along at which you can only stare in horrified (or amazed, or amused) fascination. These are two such judgements, in case you are in need of diversion, or a cautionary tale, or lessons in the multifaceted, boundless and ever creative human capacity for stupidity.’

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Nearly Legal, 15th September 2025

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Eritrean man wins block on removal to France under ‘one in, one out’ deal – BBC News

Posted September 17th, 2025 in news by michael

‘In the first legal challenge against the deal, in the High Court in London, his lawyers argued he needed more time to present evidence that he might have been the victim of modern-day slavery – and the decision to remove him had been rushed.’

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BBC News, 16th September 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

High Court quashes farm planning approval over failure to consider ancient woodland and listed building – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 17th, 2025 in news by michael

‘In Rickards, R (On the Application Of) v East Hertfordshire District Council [2025] EWHC 2278 (Admin), Mr Tim Smith, sitting as a deputy High Court judge, said he was “left in doubt” as to whether the planning officer handling the application “was even aware” that protective designations for the surrounding areas existed.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 16th September 2025

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted September 16th, 2025 in law reports by michael

Supreme Court

The Prudential Assurance Company Ltd v Revenue and Customs [2025] UKSC 34 (11 September 2025)

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Stephenson v First-Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber) [2025] EWCA Civ 1160 (12 September 2025)

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Cultural Bureau) v Alhayali [2025] EWCA Civ 1162 (11 September 2025)

Macpherson v Sunderland City Council [2025] EWCA Civ 1159 (09 September 2025)

Potanina v Potanin (No. 2) [2025] EWCA Civ 1136 (04 September 2025)

East Riding of Yorkshire Council (As Administrating Authority of the East Riding Pension Fund) v KMG SICAV-SIF-GB Strategic Land Fund [2025] EWCA Civ 1137 (03 September 2025)

Somani Hotels Ltd v Epping Forest District & Anor [2025] EWCA Civ 1134 (01 September 2025)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

Kurtaj v R. [2025] EWCA Crim 1163 (11 September 2025)

Patel v R. [2025] EWCA Crim 1149 (05 September 2025)

Evans v R. [2025] EWCA Crim 1150 (05 September 2025)

EAC v The King [2025] EWCA Crim 1135 (02 September 2025)

Hill, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1155 (08 August 2025)

Lynn, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1152 (07 August 2025)

Walker, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1153 (07 August 2025)

Woods, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 1154 (06 August 2025)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Tsolo v Nursing and Midwivery Council [2025] EWHC 2324 (Admin) (12 September 2025)

Westgaph v National Museums Liverpool [2025] EWHC 2321 (Admin) (12 September 2025)

Coelho, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 2293 (Admin) (11 September 2025)

Ratajczak v Regional Court in Poznan, Poland [2025] EWHC 2319 (Admin) (10 September 2025)

Hotelbeds UK Ltd, R (On the Application Of) v Revenue and Customs [2025] EWHC 2312 (Admin) (09 September 2025)

Rickards, R (On the Application Of) v East Hertfordshire District Council [2025] EWHC 2278 (Admin) (05 September 2025)

Sims, R (On the Application Of) v The London Borough of Hackney (Rev1) [2025] EWHC 2271 (Admin) (05 September 2025)

Anaesthetists United Ltd & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v General Medical Council [2025] EWHC 2270 (Admin) (05 September 2025)

Wild Justice, R (On the Application Of) v Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority [2025] EWHC 2249 (Admin) (05 September 2025)

Chidswell Action Group, R (On the Application Of) v Kirklees Council [2025] EWHC 2256 (Admin) (04 September 2025)

Petrov v Regional Court In Sofia, Bulgaria [2025] EWHC 2268 (Admin) (04 September 2025)

AN, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Barking and Dagenham [2025] EWHC 2265 (Admin) (03 September 2025)

Green Lane Association Ltd v Central Bedfordshire Council [2025] EWHC 2251 (Admin) (02 September 2025)

Singh, R (On the Application Of) v Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct [2025] EWHC 2252 (Admin) (02 September 2025)

Rydon Group Holdings Ltd), R (On the Application Of) v Secretary Of State For Levelling Up, Housing And Communities [2025] EWHC 2182 (Admin) (29 August 2025)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Nicholson v Masood & Ors [2025] EWHC 2314 (Ch) (15 September 2025)

Ivey & Ors v Lythgoe & Anor [2025] EWHC 2325 (Ch) (12 September 2025)

Hilton & Anor v Woolfe & Anor [2025] EWHC 2285 (Ch) (12 September 2025)

Manolete Partners PLC v Howarth (Re One Legal Services Ltd) [2025] EWHC 2294 (Ch) (10 September 2025)

Pagden & Ors v Fry & Anor [2025] EWHC 2316 (Ch) (10 September 2025)

Koza Altin IsletmelerI A.S. v Koza Ltd & Anor [2025] EWHC 2304 (Ch) (10 September 2025)

Otto & Ors v Inner Mongolia Happy Lamb Catering Management Company Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 2291 (Ch) (10 September 2025)

Waldorf Production UK PLC, In the Matter Of [2025] EWHC 2297 (Ch) (09 September 2025)

Pontis Finance LLP v Karam, Missick & Traube LLP [2025] EWHC 2298 (Ch) (09 September 2025)

Lecaille v National Parking Enforcement Ltd & Anor [2025] EWHC 2281 (Ch) (08 September 2025)

Gable Insurance AG v Dewsall & Ors [2025] EWHC 2280 (Ch) (05 September 2025)

British Camelids Ltd v Brooke Hospital for Animals & Ors [2025] EWHC 2255 (Ch) (05 September 2025)

River Island Holdings Ltd, In the Matter Of [2025] EWHC 2276 (Ch) (04 September 2025)

Bionome Technology Ltd v Clearwater (Re Costs) [2025] EWHC 2261 (Ch) (03 September 2025)

Zubarev & Anor v Singh & Anor [2025] EWHC 2242 (Ch) (03 September 2025)

SWS Holdings & Anor, In the Matter Of [2025] EWHC 2318 (Ch) (02 September 2025)

Spirit (Legacy) Pension Trustee Ltd v Alexis [2025] EWHC 2237 (Ch) (01 September 2025)

Thaler v The Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs And Trade Marks [2025] EWHC 2202 (Ch) (01 September 2025)

Cavadore Ltd & Anor v Jawa & Anor [2025] EWHC 2222 (Ch) (29 August 2025)

High Court (Commercial Court)

Perelman v Kerr [2025] EWHC 2331 (Comm) (12 September 2025)

Campeau v Gottex Real Asset Fund 1 (OE) Waste SARL [2025] EWHC 2322 (Comm) (12 September 2025)

Gallagher v Fraser & Anor [2025] EWHC 2326 (Comm) (11 September 2025)

Baker Botts (UK) LLP v Carbon Holdings Ltd & Anor [2025] EWHC 2225 (Comm) (29 August 2025)

Xtellus Capital Partners Inc v Dl Invest Group Pm S.A. [2025] EWHC 2168 (Comm) (18 August 2025)

High Court (Family Division)

ER v NT (Need for fact finding hearing) [2025] EWHC 2146 (Fam) (27 August 2025)

High Court (Patents Court)

J Mac Safety Systems Ltd v Q Deck Safety Systems Ltd [2025] EWHC 2241 (Pat) (04 September 2025)

Sandoz AG & Ors v Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH & Ors [2025] EWHC 2201 (Pat) (01 September 2025)

Generics (UK) Ltd v Astrazeneca AB [2025] EWHC 2203 (Pat) (01 September 2025)

High Court (King’s Bench Division)

The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge v Persons Unknown [2025] EWHC 2330 (KB) (12 September 2025)

Moore v Royal Mail Group Ltd & Ors [2025] EWHC 2320 (KB) (11 September 2025)

Various Claimants v Mercedes-Benz Group AG & Ors (Re Pan NOx Emissions Litigation) [2025] EWHC 2307 (KB) (10 September 2025)

Reeves v Frain (Aka Reeves) & Anor [2025] EWHC 2311 (KB) (10 September 2025)

MW & Anor v Wilkinson & Anor [2025] EWHC 2300 (KB) (09 September 2025)

O’Connell v The Ministry of Defence [2025] EWHC 2301 (KB) (09 September 2025)

Equity & Ors v Talent Systems Europe Ltd (t/a Spotlight) [2025] EWHC 2254 (KB) (03 September 2025)

Ellis & Ors v John Benson Ltd & Ors (Re Consequential Matters) [2025] EWHC 2257 (KB) (02 September 2025)

Source: www.bailii.org

Doctor who left patient during operation to have sex with nurse allowed to practise – The Guardian

Posted September 16th, 2025 in news by michael

‘A doctor who left a patient midway through an operation to have sex with a nurse is at “very low risk” of repeating his serious misconduct, a medical tribunal has ruled.’

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The Guardian, 15th September 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

Swansea inquest unable to find cause of fatal house explosion due to lost evidence – The Guardian

Posted September 16th, 2025 in news by michael

‘A coroner has called for scenes of disaster to be preserved more carefully after an inquest jury concluded it was not possible to say what caused a fatal explosion at a terrace house in south Wales.’

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The Guardian, 15th September 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

Hillsborough Law – what is it and how did we get here? – BBC News

Posted September 16th, 2025 in news by michael

‘Following the news that an agreement has been reached on the long-awaited introduction of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, external on Tuesday [16 September] – commonly referred to as Hillsborough Law – here’s a reminder of how we got here.’

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BBC News, 15th September 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New legal challenge to plan for Spurs football academy in London park – The Guardian

Posted September 16th, 2025 in news by michael

‘The Guardians of Whitewebbs group has successfully crowdfunded £26,000 to seek a judicial review of Enfield council’s granting of planning permission for the Spurs academy, which will include all-weather pitches, floodlights and a turf academy built on 53 hectares (130 acres) of Whitewebbs Park.’

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The Guardian, 15th September 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

Judge admonishes Constance Marten and partner for passing notes during sentencing – The Independent

Posted September 16th, 2025 in news by michael

‘Constance Marten and her partner, a convicted rapist, have been admonished for passing notes and talking to each other as they were being sentenced over the death of their newborn baby girl.’

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The Independent, 15th September 2025

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon both jailed for 14 years over death of baby in tent – The Guardian

Posted September 16th, 2025 in news by michael

‘Two parents who caused the death of their newborn baby after taking her to live in a tent in wintry conditions to evade social services have each been sentenced to 14 years in prison.’

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The Guardian, 15th September 2025

Source: www.theguardian.com

Council failed to properly consider capacity of household to make homelessness application, Ombudsman finds – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 12th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘The London Borough of Redbridge has been recommended to pay £6,950 by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman after it failed to properly assess the capacity of three family members to make a homelessness application when they told the council they were suffering domestic abuse.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 12th September 2025

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Judge discharges orders prohibiting family from taking children abroad, noting “clear boundaries have been overstepped” – Local Government Lawyer

Posted September 12th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘The Family Court has discharged a “phalanx of orders” secured by a local authority to prohibit a mother and father taking their four children to a country deemed unsafe by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, describing the unnamed local authority’s approach as “dictatorial”.’

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Local government Lawyer, 11th September 2025

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Neo-Nazi music family sentenced for stirring up racial hatred – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted September 12th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘A father and his two adult children have been imprisoned after being found guilty of inciting racial hatred through neo-Nazi music.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 11th September 2025

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Family justice system ‘badly letting children down’, MPs warn – Law Society Gazette

Posted September 12th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘In a damning report published today, the House of Commons public accounts committee criticises the Ministry of Justice and Department for Education for failing to recognise the urgent need for reform “glaringly obvious to court users”.’

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Law Society Gazette, 12th September 2025

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

The Prenup That Leaked: Entwistle v Helliwell Explained – Financial Remedies Journal

Posted September 12th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘For financial remedy lawyers, life’s certainties are death, taxes, and discovering assets the other side swore blind didn’t exist. The Court of Appeal’s recent decision in Entwistle v Helliwell [2025] EWCA Civ 1055 is a timely reminder that, with pre-nuptial agreements, disclosure isn’t just a polite formality, it’s the concrete slab the whole thing rests on.’

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Financial Remedies Journal, 11th September 2025

Source: financialremediesjournal.com

Cocaine smuggler who hid drug in wheelchair jailed – BBC News

Posted September 12th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘A man who tried to smuggle cocaine worth almost £1m into the UK by hiding it in an electric wheelchair has been jailed.’

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BBC News, 12th September 2025

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Automated decision-making among new Law Commission projects – Legal Futures

Posted September 11th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘The Law Commission has launched a project to examine whether new legislation is needed on automated decision-making (ADM) by public bodies, using algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI).’

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Legal Futures, 9th September 2025

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Immigration audits: Sidestep pitfalls to avert setbacks – EIN Guest Blog

Posted September 11th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘In response to political pressure to curb immigration, the UK Home Office has stepped up enforcing compliance with sponsor licence obligations by UK businesses that employ overseas workers. This has led to a surge in the number of suspensions and revocations of sponsor licences, with a 300% increase in negative action taken against sponsors as a result of an investigation or compliance visit.’

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EIN Guest Blog, 11th September 2025

Source: www.ein.org.uk

Jonathan Collinson: From Learning to Lawyering: When Can Political Accountability Have Legal Consequences? – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted September 11th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘The responsibility for holding the government to account for its failings is the core constitutional role of a range of “watchdog” bodies outside of Parliament, such as inspectorates, commissioners, public inquiries, independent reviews, and ombudsmen.’

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UK Constitutional Law Association Blog, 11th September 2025

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

Judges slash Dieselgate costs after claim for 30 attending lawyers – Law Society Gazette

Posted September 11th, 2025 in news by Simon

‘Judges have taken another scythe to claimant costs in the “dieselgate” group claim after dismissing the idea that 30 fee earners may need to attend court.”

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Law Society Gazette, 10th September 2025

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk