The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published an update to the full business case for the Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF), which provides capital grant funding to support heat networks in adopting low and zero-carbon heat technologies as part of the Heat Networks Transformation Programme. The updated business case covers formal approval for an anticipated £485m of additional funding and seeks approval to deliver this funding by extending the existing delivery contract with the incumbent supplier.

This week's edition of Construction weekly highlights includes a decision of the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) in a case brought against a residential developer for breach of contract and under the Defective Premises Act 1972, publication of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)’s 2025 industry survey on building remediation capacity, and the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS)’s research into digitalisation challenges in the construction products industry.

This week's edition of Property Disputes weekly highlights includes: analysis of a recent Supreme Court decision on the right to manage, a Privy Council decision on trespass and adverse possession, and High Court decisions on Part 26A restructuring plans, pleading in a property contract claim, flooding caused by highway drainage and the use of conveyance plans to ascertain boundaries. It also includes new Regulations on the Building Safety Levy and landlord redress schemes.

One of the significant differences between domestic arbitration and international arbitration is the need to consider which law applies to particular issues. In a domestic arbitration it is very likely that the law of only one jurisdiction will apply to all issues. In international arbitration the position can be very different. The types of applicable law to be considered include: • the law governing the parties’ capacity to enter into the arbitration agreement • the law applicable to the substantive dispute • the law applicable to the arbitration agreement • the law of the seat of the arbitration • the law and procedure of the courts of recognition and enforcement of an award In making their selection of applicable law, parties must be aware of the possibility of conflicts between the various applicable laws. For example, the question of whether a particular dispute is capable of being the subject matter of arbitration may be answered differently by the law governing the substantive dispute, the law governing the arbitration agreement, the law

Public procurement refers to the process by which public authorities, such as government departments or local authorities, purchase works (such as construction), goods or services from private companies. Every year, over 250,000 public authorities in the EU spend around 14% of GDP (around €2 trillion per year) on the purchase of services, works and supplies. The EU public procurement Directives At EU level, several institutions are involved in public procurement legislation and enforcement. The European Commission is responsible for drawing up legislative proposals, implementing the decisions of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, and enforcing the public procurement Directives. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) reviews whether Member States fulfil their obligations under the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and EU law. The Council of the EU and the European Parliament are jointly responsible for

This Checklist is for use where you are acting for the buyer on the acquisition of a registered freehold or leasehold commercial property either with vacant possession or subject to a lease or leases. It is not exhaustive and will not cover every eventuality for every transaction. You must always consider whether there are any other issues that need to be addressed. It is assumed that: • the property is not subject to any residential tenancies, and • the seller is solvent This Checklist includes the following key sections: • Preliminary matters • Is the buyer using finance to acquire the property? • Before exchange of contracts • Are you ready to exchange? • Exchange of contracts • Post exchange steps • Between exchange and completion • Are you ready to complete? • Completion • Post completion Preliminary matters See also Practice Note: Transferring commercial property—a practical guide — Preliminary matters. Are the buyer’s instructions and proposals for the property clear? Effective due diligence and transaction management require a sound understanding of the buyer’s

The International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) has signed a three-year memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Contractors Authority to support development in the construction sector and promote best practices in contract management. This agreement covers the use of FIDIC contracts in Saudi Arabia, capacity building initiatives, professional certification, and strategies for dispute avoidance. It also establishes a joint task force to ensure alignment of guidance.

Personal Injury analysis: The Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 apply in cases where a business is sold, activities are outsourced, brought in-house or transferred and where a contract for services is moved from one provider to another. Sophie Houghton, professional support lawyer at BLM, looks at how the Regulations apply to claims for accidents at work, and whether a claim can be pursued against new employers when a breach occurs pre-transfer.

Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence analysis: Emily Wickens, service manager at HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS), and Darren Rooke, product owner at HMCTS, have confirmed that HMCTS is introducing a new online system for unspecified claims including personal injury claims and breach of contract claims. The new service is expected to be launched in the spring of 2021 and will digitalise qualifying claims from issue to directions questionnaires stage.

The Chancery Lane Project (TCLP) has launched an open-source WordPress plugin that enables artificial intelligence (AI) systems to access streamlined, machine-readable versions of legal website content. The tool detects AI agents and serves simplified page formats, reducing data processing requirements by up to 90% in early testing. TCLP developed the plugin to improve access to its library of climate-aligned contract clauses used in over 110 countries and has released it as an open-source resource for wider use.

This week's edition of Property Disputes weekly highlights includes: publication of the explanatory notes and BPF’s guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, analysis of a Court of Appeal decision on the meaning of ‘rent’ under the Housing Act 1988, and High Court decisions concluding that closed double gates with a sign affixed constituted substantial interference to a right of way, determining that progressive failure of window seals constituted disrepair under lease covenants, and two decisions granting injunctions against protestors trespassing. It also includes Upper Tribunal decisions concluding that a First-tier Tribunal decision prioritised procedural form over content in a service charge dispute, and analysis of the Upper Tribunal’s decision to uphold a remediation contribution order in the Vista Tower case, the Non-Domestic Rating (Value of Differential Multipliers) (Wales) Regulations 2026 coming into force on 1 April 2026, and details of the in-force date of the Renting Homes (Model Written Statements of Contract) (Wales) (Amendments etc) Regulations 2026.

Overview This Practice Note is part of our LLB Contract Law series written specifically for law students. It explains the doctrine of frustration as a mechanism for the discharge of contractual obligations under English law. It outlines the conceptual basis of frustration and distinguishes it from discharge by performance, breach or agreement. The Practice Note examines the historical development of the doctrine from Taylor v Caldwell [1861-73] All ER Rep 24 through to the modern, radically different test articulated in Davis Contractors v Fareham UDC [1956] AC 696. It analyses the principal categories of frustrating events, including destruction of subject matter, personal incapacity, non-occurrence of a contemplated event, supervening illegality and war, and considers the limits of the doctrine, such as self-induced frustration and contracts where risk has been allocated by the parties. The Practice Note also explains the legal consequences of frustration, including automatic discharge and the statutory adjustment of losses under the Law Reform (Frustrated Contracts) Act 1943. It concludes by highlighting the narrow scope of the doctrine and its role in balancing contractual