DISCRIMINATION

October 26th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Human Rights and Public Sector Equality Duty

In R ( CKT ) v Twyford Church of England Academies Trust (2026) EWCA Civ 1364 the Court of Appeal holds that designated faith schools are NOT exempt from INDIRECT RACE DISCRIMINATION CLAIMS where the claim arose from the application of faith based  OVERSUBSCRIPTION ADMISSION CRITERIA.

 

CLOSURE OF LEISURE CENTRE

October 26th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Land, Goods and Services

In R ( JONES ) v CAERPHILLY CBC (2026) EWHC 2709 (Admin) the Court rejects challenges based on (1) the PSED, (2) Section 28(2) of the Children Act 2004 (welfare of children), and (3) Section 3 of the Future Generations ( Wales ) Act 2015.

 

USE OF EXPERTISE

October 20th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Judicial Control, Liability and Litigation

Although a specialist Tribunal may use its expertise when (1) evaluating evidence and (2) drawing inferences, it must NOT rely on assumptions derived from that expertise to fill an EVIDENTIAL GAP, without (i) alerting the parties and (ii) giving them an opportunity to comment. So held in DENBIGHSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL v AB (2026) UKUT 376 ( AAC ).

 

 

SOCIAL ENTITLEMENT CHAMBER ( SEC )

October 20th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Social Care

The INQUISITORIAL jurisdiction which the SEC of the FTT exercises means that the FTT needs to ask DIRECT and PROBING questions . This is NOT wrongly descending into the arena. So held in DHAMI v SoS for Work & Pensions )2026) UKUT 371 ( AAC ).

 

INFORMATION SHARING

October 14th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Social Care

In MEDWAY COUNCIL v MA (2026) EWFC 293 the Court provides guidance on the GENERAL PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS necessary to prevent INFORMATION SHARING FAILURES in care proceedings involving looked after children.

 

ENFORCEMENT

October 12th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Council Tax and Rates

A MHCLG Statement on 12 October 2026 provides the Government’s Response to its Consultation on improving formal enforcement of council tax.

 

HOUSING BENEFIT

October 5th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

Earned Income DISREGARDS Regulations come into force from 5 October 2026, allowing people living in supported housing and temporary accommodation to retain more of their earnings when they start work or increase their hours.

 

 

HOUSE BUILDING, REGENERATION, ECONOMIC GROWTH

October 5th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Housing

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Homes England and the National Housing Bank have, on 2 October 2026, signed a 3 year Place Delivery Agreement, creating a shared framework,, to accelerate housebuilding, unlock regeneration, and support economic growth, across the City Region.

 

AIR QUALITY

October 1st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Planning and Environmental

DEFRA GUIDANCE, published on 29 September 2026, outlines the LOCAL AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK local authorities must follow, to protect against AIR POLLUTION.

 

ET Claims

October 1st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Judicial Control, Liability and Litigation

From 1 October 2026 the TIME LIMIT for bringing most Employment tribunal claims increases from 3 months to 6 months.