About Local Government Law
Local authorities are facing a period of unprecedented change and uncertainty. Lawyers are required to guide elected officials, council workers and the public through this process often with little support or guidance.
Social housing
This gold standard content set covers all aspects of social housing from homelessness, tenancy management, shared ownership and right to buy together with regulating housing provision.
Education
Education is central to the governments skills agenda to drive innovation and growth. Every aspect of education law is covered from early years foundation stage to further and higher education with a dedicated special educational needs topic.
Public procurement
Public bodies are subject to the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. We give full coverage of public contracts, from issues to consider before procurement, to dealing with contract award challenges.
Local authorities
Local authorities are facing unprecedented financial challenges, inevitable rationalisation and prioritisation of service provision. Lawyers are key in ensuring that difficult decisions are taken and implemented lawfully
Topics We Cover
Latest Local Government News
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a package of reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR), aimed at...
Local Government analysis: The Court of Appeal in Norton v London Borough of Haringey upheld the local authority’s decision regarding its discharge of...
The Department for Education (DfE) has published comprehensive updates including the College Financial Handbook 2025 and Academy trust handbook 2025,...
Transport for London (TfL) has reported strong support for pedicab regulation following its first consultation under the Pedicabs (London) Act 2024....
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has updated the Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) on plan-making to clarify how the...
Latest Local Government Practice Notes
Hallmarking offencesThe legal requirements of hallmarkingThe Hallmarking Act 1973 (HA 1973) controls the selling of items described as 'gold',...
Use of confidential information in civil proceedingsThis Practice Note looks at the status and use of confidential information in civil proceedings...
Brexit timelineOn 23 June 2016, the UK held a referendum on its membership of the EU, with a majority voting in favour of the UK leaving the EU. On 29...
Brexit legislation trackerThis Practice Note tracks the progress of UK legislation introduced as part of the legislative project associated with the...
Lawful development certificatesWhat is a lawful development certificate?A lawful development certificate (LDC) is a certificate issued by a local...
Latest Local Government Precedents
Memorandum to board accompanying anti-bribery policySummaryThe Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) came into force on 1 July 2011. It applies to any business...
Retained EU law—training materials [Archived]ARCHIVED: This Precedent has been archived and is not maintained.These training materials consist of...
Letter to GP requesting assessment of capacity to make a Will[insert name and address of GP][insert date]Dear Dr [insert name of GP][insert full name,...
UK GDPR—training materialsThese training materials consist of template PowerPoint slides that can be used as the basis of one or more training...
Stopping up or diversion under Town and Country Planning Act 1990: Notice of OrderThis Precedent is for the Notice where an Order had been made to...
Latest Local Government Q&As
Featured Local Government content
What is the purposive approach to statutory interpretation?
Housing disrepair for local authority landlords—a practical guide
Housing disrepair for local authority landlords—a practical guideThis Practice Note discusses disrepair claims in relation to social housing, setting...
What are the grounds for judicial review?
Obstruction of highways
Obstruction of highwaysThe fundamental public right upon a highway is to pass and re-pass, and the obstruction of a highway is usually a criminal...
School land and premises
School land and premisesOwnership of school land and premisesThe ownership of school sites and playgrounds, school buildings and school playing fields...
If a person owns land which abuts a public highway are there any statutory or other provisions which deal with that landowners right to gain access onto the highway?
Structure of local government
Structure of local governmentCoronavirus (COVID-19): This Practice Note contains guidance on matters that have temporarily been altered to assist in...
Teachers and staff in maintained schools
Teachers and staff in maintained schoolsWho is the employer?The employer will depend upon the status of the school. The employer is:•the local...
Collaborative procurement in the public sector—a short introduction
Collaborative procurement in the public sector—a short introductionThis Practice Note is a short introduction to the legal considerations that arise...
The standstill period
The standstill periodWhat is the standstill period?When a contracting authority reaches its decision on the award of a public contract subject to the...
Maladministration—complaints
Maladministration—complaintsSection 23 of the Local Government Act 1974 (LGA 1974), creates the role of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman...
Arms length management organisations (ALMOs)
Arms length management organisations (ALMOs)An arms length management organisation (ALMO) is a not-for-profit company that provides housing services...
Abandoned vehicles
Abandoned vehiclesAbandoned vehicles offencesSection 2 of the Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978 (RD(A)A 1978) makes it a criminal offence to abandon,...
If a restrictive covenant is expressed to be made pursuant to section 33 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, can a council as covenantee release a covenantor from the said restrictive covenant at any time using the usual standard deed of release of covenant?
Public procurement—private sector considerations
Public procurement—private sector considerationsPublic procurement is a buying process essentially similar to its private sector counterpart. However,...
Tattoos, sunbeds and minors
Tattoos, sunbeds and minorsTattooing of minorsIt is an offence to tattoo a person under the age of 18 except where the tattoo is performed for medical...
Use of consultants in public procurement
Use of consultants in public procurementThere are basically two types of consultants that are used in public procurement:•consultants with technical...
Highways, street works and statutory undertakers
Highways, street works and statutory undertakersStreet works at common lawAt common law it is a nuisance to interfere with the surface of a highway....
Associated legal terms
Children's services
A local authority's principal functions regarding the provision of services for children and their families.
Code of conduct
The ethical standards framework governing the conduct of local authority members as laid down by the Localism Act 2011, s 27(1), (2), the Local Government Act 2000, Part III and the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 (SI 2007/1159).
Elected mayor
An individual elected for a four year term as mayor of the authority by the local government electors for the authority's area in accordance with provisions made by or under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000 (see in particular sections 11(2) and 39 of and Schedule 1 to the 2000 Act).
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