See NEW LOTTERY CO LTD v GAMBLING COMMISSION  (2026 ) EWHC 891 ( TCC)  on the legal framework for MODIFICATIO OF CONTRACTS claims and the approach to evidence at paras 892-947 and 969. Change of economic balance at paras 974-978, loss of a chance at para 1055, and generally para 1121. For the background rationale for rules relating to PUBLIC PROCUREMENT and the CONCESSION CONTRACT REGULATIONS se e paras 186-191, on the MANIFEST ERROR test for the Court’s intervention see paras 192-199, 349=389 and 744-746. On EQUAL TREATMENT see paras 2000-2006, on transparency paras 207-2011, on proportionality paras 212-213, on conflicts of interest from para 147, on time bar from para 793, and on incumbency at paras 813-826.

A Cabinet Office Command Paper, published on 26 March 2026, sets out the Government’s response to the consultation “ Public Procurement : Growing British industry, jobs, and skills “.

1. From 6 April 2026, the maximum PROTECTIVE AWARD for failing to CONSULT on a COLLECTIVE REDUNDANCY process will double from 90 to 180 days’ pay, applying to employees dismissed after that date.
3. Provisions of the EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT 2025 coming into force in April 2026 include in relation to (i) statutory paternity leave, (ii) parental leave, (iii) statutory sick pay, (iv)  Equality Action Plan, (v) the Fair Work Agency, and (vi) rates and limits for NMW, statutory sick pay, maternity pay, and unfair dismissal awards.

1. A TUPE transferee is liable for INDIRECT DISCRIMINATION when an incoming workforce is on lower pay : ALPHA ANNE v GREAT ORMOND STREET HOSPITAL NHS TRUST (EAT).

A WELSH Government publication on 23 March 2026 summarises the responses to its consultation on draft statutory Guidance under the Social Partnership and Public Procurement ( Wales ) Act 2023, and sets out next steps.

The Social Partnership and Public Procurement ( Wales ) Regulations 2026, S.I. 2026, coming into force mostly on 25 March 2026, supplement the Social Partnership and Public Procurement ( Wales) Act 2023.

Section 70 of the Procurement Act 2023, in relation to information about payments under public contracts is brought into effect on 1 April 2026 in accordance with Commencement No 4 Regulations. Reporting is due every 6 months.

R ( INTELLIGENT LAND INVESTMENTS GROUP PLC ) v GAS AND ELECTRICITY MARKETS AUTHIRITY ( 2026 ) EWHC 336 ( Admin ) addresses public law duties of PROCEDURAL FAIRNESS, at paras 43-46 & 51/52, and REASONABLE ENQUIRY ( Tameside ), at paras 47/48, in the context of a COMPETITIVE PROCESS for an AWARD by a public authority.

There has come into effect the LOCAL GOVERNMENT ( EXCLUSION OF NON_COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS ) ( ENGLAND ) ORDER 2026, S.I.2026/94. The Order enables best value authorities and parish councils in England, covered by SECTION 17 of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1988, to reserve procurements below PROCUREMENT ACT 2023 THRESHOLDS to local or certain UK based suppliers. The reservation must be transparent, clearly notified, proportionate, and recorded with a strong audit trail. There is GUIDANCE in relation to the interaction of LOCALLY BASED RESERVATIONS with the Procurement Act and regulations. The flexibility is subject to review by the PROCUREMENT REVIEW UNIT.

The Supreme Court in PROVIDENT BUILDING SERVICES LTD v HEXAGON HOUSING ASSOCIATION LTD ( 2026 ) UKSC 1 has held that the contractor under a CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT which incorporates the JCT Design and Build Contract ( 2016  edition ) cannot terminate its employment under clause 8.9.4 when a right to give the termination notice referred to in clause 8.9.3 has never accrued. The established approach to CONTRACTUAL INTERPRETATION, based on the objective intentions of the contracting parties in the relevant context, applies to the interpretation of an industry wide standard form of contract.

In C ( Children : Premature Determination ) ( 2025 ) EWCA Civ 1481 the Court of Appeal observed that predetermination, or apparent predetermination, arises where a decision-maker reaches, or appears to reach, a final conclusion before being in possession of all the relevant facts.. The Court says, at paras 6-8, that there is an “ obvious difference “ between disclosure of “ provisional thinking “, for the benefit of the parties, and a “ premature arrival at a settled decision “. The first is “ acceptable “, and may be 2 beneficial “, even “ positively helpful “. The latter is “ inappropriate “ and may well be “ unjust “. This applies in the cases both of fact-finding and of evaluative judgment “. There MUST NOT be a “ premature determination “ that indicates a CLOSED MIND.