In R ( University of Sussex ) v Office for Students (2026) EWHC 984 ( Admin ), the Dr Kathleen Scott case, Lieven J found that the OFS decision to sanction the University, for alleged breaches of its conditions of registration, was unlawful. This was on a number of judicial review grounds. They included apparent bias and/or predetermination. The broad conduct of the OFS demonstrated predetermination. There was compelling evidence that the OFS had approached its Investigation prompted by protests against Dr Stock with a CLOSED MIND. Senior Officials had set out to establish a breach. From the outset, the OFS adopted a strategy aimed at creatin a “ test case “ to send a strong single to the HE sector. This strategy depended on the University being found in breach, heavily fined, and publicly criticised.
GENERAL POWERS
May 1st, 2026 by James Goudie KC in GeneralPart 1 of the 172 Section CRIME & POLICING ACT 2026, with 18 Schedules, relates to ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, Part 4 to CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION and Part 9 to PUBLIC ORDER.
TOURISM
April 28th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Environment, Highways and LeisureThe Senedd’s Development of Tourism and Regulation of Visitor Accommodation ( Wales) Bill has received Royal Assent. It (1) promotes the development of tourism, (2) regulates the provision of visitor accommodation , and (3) establishes a directory of visitor accommodation premises.
PLANNING
April 28th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Planning and Environmental
The Senedd’s Planning ( Wales) Bill has received Royal Assent. It CONSOLIDATES certain enactments relating to planning. See also the Planning ( Consequential Provisions ) ( Wales ) Bill.
BUILDING SAFETY
April 28th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in HousingThe Building Safety ( Wales ) Bill has received Royal assent. It makes provision for the safety of people (1) in or about buildings containing 2 or more residential units and (2) in or about certain houses in multiple occupation.
WALES
April 28th, 2026 by James Goudie KC in Environment, Highways and LeisureThe Senedd’s Environment ( Principles, Governance and Biodiversity Targets ( ( Wales ) Bill has on 27 April 2026 received Royal Assent. Its provisions include Environmental Objectives and Principles ( Part 1 ), the establishment of the Office of Environmental Governance wales, with power to ensure compliance by public authorities with environmental law ( Part 2 ), and biodiversity targets ( Part 3 ).