In the Spending Review (SR) 2025, presented on 11 June 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, announced several measures impacting the planning sector. Key announcements relate to investment in housing, regional growth and devolution, transport, and AI.

Family analysis: The High Court considered an application by an unregulated sperm donor for a declaration of parentage under section 55A of the Family Law Act 1986 (FLA 1986). While the court held that the application should be determined, it refused to grant the declaration under FLA 1986, s 58(1) on the basis that doing so would be manifestly contrary to public policy. Emphasising the statutory framework governing licensed gamete donation, the court held that recognising legal parenthood in this context would undermine the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (HFEA 1990) and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (HFEA 2008). The decision establishes that genetic paternity is not determinative and highlights the potential for public policy to preclude declarations in exceptional cases involving unregulated fertility practices. Shaili Gohil-Desai, associate solicitor at Burgess Mee, considers the issues.

Often used in arbitrations, Spiegelman Schedules, named after the Honourable James Spigelman AC KC, a former Chief Justice of New South Wales, are very useful in large, complex and document heavy construction disputes. A Spigelman Schedule is a single reference document which identifies, in relation to each claim and counterclaim, the relevant parts of the pleadings, factual witness statements, expert reports, passages of live evidence relied upon, and written closing submissions, together with a clear identification of the claimed quantum. The Schedule should also make it clear where claims are no longer pursued (for example, by greying out claims which have been dropped). A Spigelman Schedule is useful because the parties’ disputes are often factually complex, with the case set out and refined across a large volume of documents as pleadings are served, proceedings progress, disclosure takes place and factual and expert witness evidence is given. The Spigelman Schedule enables the court or tribunal to readily understand where to find the complete package of pleadings and evidence available in relation to each point before them,

When pensions plan members in a defined benefit plan add extra jobs, bonuses or overtime pay in the final year before retiring to increase pensions, which are based in part on final earnings.

See demerger.

These are captive or semi-captive firms that gain independence from their parent organisations.

CASE HUB ARCHIVED–this archived case hub reflects the position at the date of the decision of 1 July 2020; it is no longer maintained. See further, timeline Case facts Outline CMA Chapter I CA98 investigation alleging that Spire Healthcare Limited and its parent company Spire Helathcare Group plc and seven ophthalmologists had breached UK competition law by engaging in unlawful price fixing (Case 50782–1). Latest developments On 1 July 2020, the CMA issued its infringement decision, finding that Spire Healthcare Limited and its parent company Spire Healthcare Group and seven consultant ophthalmologists had breached the Chapter I prohibition by engaging in unlawful price fixing The CMA imposed a fine totalling £1.2m, which reflected a 20% discount for settlement. One of the consultant ophthalmologists

Law360: A New York bankruptcy judge said, 13 February 2025 the Chapter 11 plan of budget air carrier Spirit Airlines met the conditions for approval, but also told the parties he needed more time to consider the third-party releases proposed in the plan and whether they were consensual.

Law360: Spirit Airlines is returning to bankruptcy court for a second Chapter 11 restructuring just 14 months after its previous reorganisation, seeking approval of a new plan focused on operational changes rather than balance sheet repair. The airline aims to emerge as a smaller, leaner business with fewer routes and aircraft and a shift away from its ultra-low-cost model, but faces challenges including volatile fuel costs and scrutiny from the US. Trustee, who has criticised the disclosure statement for failing to adequately explain the need for a second filing.

Law360: A New York bankruptcy judge said on 20 February 2025 he will greenlight budget air carrier Spirit Airlines' Chapter 11 plan to hand control of the business to creditors and approve third-party releases that prompted objections from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and others, setting up Spirit to exit bankruptcy and wipe out almost US$800m of debt.

Law360: Bankrupt budget air carrier Spirit Airlines will furlough one-third of its flight attendants in the coming months as it aims to cut costs in its bankruptcy, Spirit confirmed 22 September 2025.

An arrangement which means that you divide the assets of your scheme between different fund managers and watch them compete. Some schemes have up to a dozen fund managers, but even for the smaller schemes a couple is not a bad idea.