Business Rates – Billing Authority duty to help VOA keep Local List accurate – 33 Bedford Row
‘The law in relation to national non-domestic rates (Business Rates) contains a high level dichotomy. This dichotomy is between:
(1) compiling and maintaining the rating lists (central and local) – typically know as the “non-domestic rating lists” or simply the “lists”; and
(2) collection and enforcement of the tax due.
Each of these may be subdivided further, in respect to the entity that is tasked with undertaking these.’
33 Bedford Row, 14th January 2025
Source: www.33bedfordrow.co.uk
Samrai v Kalia [2024]: lessons for experts and the difficulties in establishing fundamental dishonesty – 12 KBW
‘Alex Carington examines the lessons for experts and the difficulties in establishing fundamental dishonesty in a recent decision on sexual abuse, Samrai v Kalia [2024] EWHC 3143 (KB).’
12 KBW, 20th January 2025
Source: 12kbw.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
TW, R (On the Application Of) v Essex County Council [2025] EWCA Civ 4 (20 January 2025)
Tammina & Anor v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 24 (20 January 2025)
Thatchers Cider Company Ltd v Aldi Stores Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 5 (20 January 2025)
Clifford Chance LLP & Anor v Societe Generale SA [2025] EWCA Civ 14 (20 January 2025)
High Court (Administrative Court)
Csorba v Budapest Regional Court, Hungary [2025] EWHC 76 (Admin) (20 January 2025)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Niprose Investments Ltd & Ors v Vincents Solicitors Ltd [2025] EWHC 14 (Ch) (17 January 2025)
High Court (King’s Bench Division)
Demissie v Kefi Gold And Copper Plc [2025] EWHC 60 (KB) (20 January 2025)
Smith & Ors v Surridge & Ors [2025] EWHC 74 (KB) (20 January 2025)
High Court (Technology and Construction Court)
Source: www.bailii.org
A context-dependent right to notice – EIN Blog
‘Mr Tammina came to the UK in 2008. From 2014, he was employed by Ratna Marble and Granites, who sponsored his work visa. In October 2017, the Home Office suspended the employer’s visa sponsorship licence. In late December 2017, the Home Office permanently revoked their licence. Mr Tammina was therefore no longer eligible to work in the UK on the basis of the Ratna sponsorship.’
EIN Blog, 21st January 2025
Source: www.ein.org.uk
Alyssa Nathanson-Tanner: The Irresistible Temptations of Patronage: Prime Ministerial Appointment of Crossbenchers – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘Among the many questions raised by the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury in November 2024, the peerage which has customarily been awarded by the Prime Minister hangs in the balance. The Prime Minister enjoys an unlimited discretion to appoint new peers, and since the Life Peerages Act 1958 has granted a life peerage on retirement from certain public offices, the Archbishop of Canterbury among them. Every Prime Minister in the 21st century has exercised their significant power of patronage in relation to these office holders, who join the Crossbenches of the House of Lords.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 21st January 2025
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
Securing special educational provision – Local Government Lawyer
‘The High Court has provided important guidance on the “absolute duty” to secure special educational provision, writes Ollie Persey.’
Local Government Lawyer, 17th January 2025
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
Defending decisions taken in line with adopted licensing policies – Local Government Lawyer
‘Last month a High Court judge handed down an important judgment on the approach to departures from licensing policy. Josef Cannon KC looks at the lessons from the ruling.’
Local Government Lawyer, 17th January 2025
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
MPs revive inquiry into county court delays – Legal Futures
‘The justice select committee has launched a new inquiry into the county court, “amid persistent concerns over capacity and resources”, after the previous one was cut short by the election.’
Legal Futures, 21st January 2025
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Aldi cider’s resemblance to Thatchers’ ‘cannot be coincidental’, CoA rules – Law Society’s Gazette
‘Cider maker Thatchers has succeeded in its appeal against budget supermarket Aldi for trade mark infringement over its cloudy lemon cider.’
Law Society's Gazette, 20th January 2025
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
Sentence review bid made for Sara Sharif’s father – BBC News
‘The Solicitor General has decided to appeal against the sentence passed on Sara Sharif’s father as “unduly lenient.”‘
BBC News, 20th January 2025
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Keir Starmer orders public inquiry into Southport attack – The Guardian
‘Keir Starmer has ordered a public inquiry into the failings that allowed an “extremely violent” teenager to murder three young girls in one of the worst attacks on children in recent UK history.’
The Guardian, 20th January 2025
Source: www.theguardian.com
Sacked rogue officers could be reinstated and owed backpay if Met Police loses legal challenge, chief warns – The Independent
‘Rogue officers who were sacked over allegations of domestic and sexual abuse could be reinstated and owed thousands in backpay if the Metropolitan Police loses a High Court challenge over vetting rules, a senior officer has warned.’
The Independent, 17th January 2025
Source: www.independent.co.uk
BAILII: Recent Decisions
Court of Appeal (Civil Division)
Hussaini v Islington London Borough Council [2025] EWCA Civ 22 (17 January 2025)
Morais & Ors v Ryanair DAC [2025] EWCA Civ 19 (17 January 2025)
Chaudhry v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWCA Civ 16 (17 January 2025)
Secretary of State for the Home Department v Daci [2025] EWCA Civ 18 (17 January 2025)
Dylan v Barclays Bank PLC [2025] EWCA Civ 20 (17 January 2025)
Secretary of State for the Home Department v Kolicaj [2025] EWCA Civ 10 (17 January 2025)
Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
Bhatti v R. [2025] EWCA Crim 8 (17 January 2025)
Vaughans & Anor, R. v [2025] EWCA Crim 9 (17 January 2025)
Oni & Ors v R. [2025] EWCA Crim 12 (15 January 2025)
High Court (Administrative Court)
Oprea v Iasi City Court of Law (Romania) [2025] EWHC 56 (Admin) (17 January 2025)
High Court (Chancery Division)
Allan v Allan [2025] EWHC 67 (Ch) (17 January 2025)
Bonham & Anor v Stringer & Ors [2025] EWHC 28 (Ch) (17 January 2025)
Djanogly v Djanogly & Ors [2025] EWHC 61 (Ch) (17 January 2025)
NOAL SCSp & Ors v Novalpina Capital LLP & Ors [2025] EWHC 54 (Ch) (17 January 2025)
JSC Commercial Bank PrivatBank v Kolomoisky & Ors [2025] EWHC 50 (Ch) (15 January 2025)
Triplark Ltd v Maunder-Taylor [2025] EWHC 45 (Ch) (15 January 2025)
High Court (Commercial Court)
Magomedov & Ors v TPG Group Holdings (SBS) LP & Ors (Rev1) [2025] EWHC 59 (Comm) (17 January 2025)
RRY v NKX [2025] EWHC 41 (Comm) (17 January 2025)
NatWest Market NV & Anor v CMIS Nederland BV & Anor [2025] EWHC 37 (Comm) (15 January 2025)
High Court (Family Division)
HA v EN [2025] EWHC 48 (Fam) (06 January 2025)
T, Re (Appeal: Findings of Fact) [2024] EWHC 3327 (Fam) (20 December 2024)
The Lord Chancellor v 79 Divorced Couples [2024] EWHC 3211 (Fam) (19 December 2024)
Tickle & Ors v Surrey County Council & Ors [2024] EWHC 3330 (Fam) (19 December 2024)
High Court (Patents Court)
Pfizer Ltd v GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA & Anor [2025] EWHC 52 (Pat) (16 January 2025)
High Court (King’s Bench Division)
Zurius v Secretary of State for Health & Social Care & Anor [2025] EWHC 57 (KB) (17 January 2025)
Olsen & Anor v Finansiel Stabilitet A/S [2025] EWHC 42 (KB) (16 January 2025)
Transport for London v Persons Unknown & Ors [2025] EWHC 55 (KB) (16 January 2025)
Source: www.bailii.org
Why employers must review their employment contracts after 31.12.2024: Legality of clawback clause – EIN Blog
‘As of 31 December 2024, the Home Office introduced significant updates to its guidance for sponsors of Skilled Workers and Temporary Workers. These changes explicitly prohibit employers from passing specific sponsorship costs onto workers, reinforcing compliance requirements for sponsors. This article explores the key updates, legal implications, and best practices for employers to protect their business and sponsor licence.’
EIN Blog, 20th January 2025
Source: www.ein.org.uk
Service of documents – post and deemed service – Nearly Legal
‘D’Aubigny v Khan & Anor (2025) EWCA Civ 11. This is the Court of Appeal judgment. The central issue was whether service by post of a gas safety certificate, EPC and How to Rent Guide was deemed service under i) Section 7 Interpretation Act 1978, ii) the tenancy agreement, or iii) otherwise. The circumstances were that the tenant denied receipt of the documents, such that a subsequent section 21 notice, which was received, was invalid.’
Nearly Legal, 19th January 2025
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
New UK Procurement Act procedures offer greater flexibility – OUT-LAW.com
‘The Procurement Act 2023 provides greater flexibility, replacing existing procurement procedures with a new competitive flexible procedure (CFP).’
OUT-LAW.com, 17th January 2025
Source: www.pinsentmasons.com
Cassandra Somers-Joce and Joe Tomlinson: When Are Public Bodies Legally Required to Proactively Collect Data? – UK Constitutional Law Association
‘In a recent Administrative Court decision, the Secretary of State for the Home Department was found to be in breach of the Public Sector Equality Duty (the “PSED”), contained in s.149 of the Equality Act 2010, due to failing to collect and monitor statistical equality data relating to the provision of asylum accommodation to vulnerable individuals. The judgment in R (DXK) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 579 (Admin) (“DXK”) builds upon a developing line of cases which have found that the duty to have ‘due regard’ under the PSED may require a decision maker to proactively obtain information, rather than simply to consider existing information. It also provides an interesting exploration of the relationship between the circumstances in which the PSED will require the collection of information by a public body decision maker, and the common law duty of inquiry.’
UK Constitutional Law Association, 20th January 2025
Source: ukconstitutionallaw.org
Post Office scandal “shows that privilege needs urgent reform” – Legal Futures
‘The Post Office inquiry shows that legal professional privilege (LPP) presents “significant problems of principle and practice” and needs urgent reform, leading academics have argued.’
Legal Futures, 20th January 2025
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
Next steps to tackle child sexual exploitation – Home Office
‘Home Secretary Yvette Cooper gave an update on the actions the government will take to protect young people from sexual abuse and grooming gangs.’
Home Office, 16th January 2025
Source: www.gov.uk
