Family Division president issues ‘firm’ guidance over unregistered experts – Law Society Gazette

Posted February 24th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Individuals who “hold themselves out to be psychologists” but who are not registered or chartered should not be instructed to provide assessments in proceedings relating to children, the president of the Family Division has said in a ruling following a “parental alienation” case.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 23rd February 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

In depth: ‘Buildings alone will not deliver justice’ – Law Society Gazette

Posted February 24th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘First purchased by HMCTS in 2022 for £111m and scheduled to go live the following year, the UK’s largest dedicated tribunal centre is set to open at last. The Newgate Street development next door to the Central Criminal Court in London, which houses 30 hearing rooms, will host its first employment tribunal (ET) case in March.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 24th February 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Police AI chief admits crime-fighting tech will have bias but vows to tackle it – The Guardian

Posted February 24th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘A police chief has admitted artificial intelligence used to boost crime fighting will contain bias but pledged to combat the risks.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th February 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

David Lammy lifts cap on court sitting days in effort to cut backlog of cases – The Guardian

Posted February 24th, 2026 in news by Simon

‘A cap on court sitting days is to be lifted as the government seeks to ease the cases backlog, David Lammy has announced.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th February 2026

Source: www.theguardian.com

‘Undoing’ an adoption – an update – The Transparency Project

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Occasionally, we receive enquiries from adults who want to be ‘un-adopted’ – although the formal order was validly made when they were children – because of their own experiences of being an adopted person. However, being adopted changes your status so profoundly, normally this can’t be reversed. This problem is currently being considered by the Supreme Court.’

Full Story

The Transparency Project, 20th February 2026

Source: transparencyproject.org.uk

Judge can grant injunction to protect party’s lawyers from abuse – Legal Futures

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The High Court was wrong to rule that it did not have jurisdiction to grant claimants a protective injunction stopping a defendant from harassing their lawyers, the Court of Appeal has decided.’

Full Story

Legal Futures, 23rd February 2026

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Consultation opens on draft guidance to reduce short notice applications in the family courts – Family Law

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Consultation opens on draft guidance to reduce short notice applications in the family courts.’

Full Story

Family Law, 23rd February 2026

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse in England moves forward under Crime and Policing Bill – Family Law

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The long-running debate over mandatory reporting of child abuse in England has entered a new legislative phase, with provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill progressing through Parliament amid continued professional and political scrutiny.’

Full Story

Family Law, 23rd February 2026

Source: www.familylaw.co.uk

Divisional Court quashes Palestine Action proscription: an extended look – UK Human Rights Blog

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Divisional Court in R (Ammori) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWHC 292 (Admin)(Dame Victoria Sharp P and Swift and Steyn JJ) has held that the proscription of Palestine Action should be quashed on the basis that the Home Secretary had failed to follow relevant policy guidance and had not struck a fair balance in respect of relevant rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Home Secretary has indicated that she intends to appeal.

This ‘extended look’ article will examine the grounds on which the claim succeeded and evaluate the Home Secretary’s potential prospects on appeal.’

Full Story

UK Human Rights Blog, 23rd February 2026

Source: ukhumanrightsblog.com

The Government’s Electoral Reform Proposals: Good Intentions, Unrealised Potential – UK Constitutional Law Association

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The long-awaited Representation of the People Bill was laid before the House of Commons on 12 February 2026. This followed the Government’s earlier policy paper, “Restoring Trust in our Democracy”, published in July 2025, which outlined the Government’s bold aim to “usher in a new chapter in our democracy, reflecting our principles, and restoring faith in our politics”.’

Full Story

UK Constitutional Law Association, 23rd February 2026

Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org

‘Significant’ changes to English planning rules on way as industry consulted – OUT-LAW.com

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Planning reform in England this year is expected to accelerate, with updates from both the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Planning and Infrastructure Act set to take effect.’

Full Story

OUT-LAW.com, 20th February 2026

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Steps too far – Nearly Legal

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘This was a s.204 appeal of Haringey’s decision on review that Mr Zikic was not homeless because it was reasonable to remain in his then accommodation, a private assured shorthold tenancy of a one bed flat. The flat, notably, could only be accessed by a flight of 15 steps. Mr Z is disabled.’

Full Story

Nearly Legal, 22nd February 2026

Source: nearlylegal.co.uk

Judicial review of quasi-policies – Administrative Court Blog

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘The Court of Appeal has rejected a challenge brought by the British Medical Association against the General Medical Council’s decision to describe physician associates and anaesthesia associates as “medical professionals” in official guidance. In considering the claim, the Court has provided clarity as to the appropriate legal test to be applied when challenging guidance which might not squarely qualify as a “policy” in the established sense. The case is R (British Medical Association) v General Medical Council [2026] EWCA Civ 143 (20 February 2026).’

Full Story

Administrative Court Blog, 20th February 2026

Source: administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com

Scope for Future Claims: High Court Dismisses Challenge to EHRC Interim Guidance on For Women Scotland – Administrative Court Blog

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘On 13 February 2026, Mr Justice Swift in the High Court dismissed a challenge to guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (“EHRC”). This interim guidance   sought to assist service providers interpreting duties under the Equality Act 2010 (“EA 2010”) in the wake of the judgment in For Women Scotland Limited v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16.’

Full Story

Administrative Court Blog, 20th February 2026

Source: administrativecourtblog.wordpress.com

Court of Appeal blocks live stream of Mazur hearing – Law Society Gazette

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘In a transmission direction order handed down on Friday, the court ruled that anyone wishing to observe the submissions remotely must request permission to do so. The order was made by the master of the rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos, chancellor of the High Court Sir Colin Birss and Lady Justice Andrews, who are hearing the appeal.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 23rd February 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Barrister accused of inflating claimant’s losses reported to BSB by judge – Law Society Gazette

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘Mr Alan Bates, sitting as a Deputy Judge of the High Court in Kevin Demirci Properties Ltd v Huw Griffiths Architects Ltd, said the conduct of the unnamed barrister was so serious that a copy of the ruling should be sent to the Bar Standards Board.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 23rd February 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

High Court dismisses contempt applications against lawyers – Law Society Gazette

Posted February 23rd, 2026 in news by Simon

‘A litigant in person has been made subject to an extended civil restraint order after contempt applications she made against her former lawyers were found to be totally without merit.’

Full Story

Law Society Gazette, 23rd February 2026

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

BAILII: Recent Decisions

Posted February 20th, 2026 in law reports by michael

Court of Appeal (Civil Division)

Khan v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWCA Civ 148 (20 February 2026)

Titan Wealth Holdings Ltd b& Ors v Okunola [2026] EWCA Civ 138 (20 February 2026)

British Medical Association, R (On the Application Of) v General Medical Council [2026] EWCA Civ 143 (20 February 2026)

Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)

O’Shaughnessy, R. v [2026] EWCA Crim 141 (19 February 2026)

High Court (Administrative Court)

Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government & Anor [2026] EWHC 261 (Admin) (20 February 2026)

STS, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for Defence [2026] EWHC 363 (Admin) (20 February 2026)

Pembrokeshire Holdings Ltd v Food Standards Agency [2026] EWHC 323 (Admin) (20 February 2026

Tolnai v District Court of Debrecen (Hungary) [2026] EWHC 345 (Admin) (19 February 2026)

High Court (Chancery Division)

Whiston v Leonard & Anor [2026] EWHC 355 (Ch) (20 February 2026)

The Serendipity Centre Ltd v Tinson [2026] EWHC 349 (Ch) (20 February 2026)

Musst Holdings Ltd v Astra Asset Management UK Ltd & Anor [2026] EWHC 357 (Ch) (20 February 2026)

High Court (Patents Court)

Parsons v Convatec Ltd [2026] EWHC 300 (Pat) (30 January 2026)

High Court (King’s Bench Division)

Fassone v Hugh James (A Firm) [2026] EWHC 364 (KB) (20 February 2026)

High Court (Technology and Construction Court)

Kevin Demirci Properties Ltd v Huw Griffiths Architects Ltd [2026] EWHC 353 (TCC) (19 February 2026)

Source: www.bailii.org

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.’

Full Story

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.’

Full Story

Local Government Lawyer, 19th February 2026

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk