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
Public Law analysis: In A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland [2026] UKSC 16, the Supreme Court overruled Cheshire West, holding...
The Home Office has announced plans to strengthen powers for police and local authorities to close businesses linked to organised crime by extending...
Hampshire County Council's Cabinet has approved the next steps towards a potential challenge to the Secretary of State's local government...
The House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee published a report setting out proposed amendments to the Health Bill, which will be considered...
During a Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee evidence session on 9 June 2026 examining the work of the Ministry of Housing,...
Latest Local Government Practice Notes
The Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) criminalises:•bribing another person (active bribery)•soliciting or accepting a bribe (passive bribery)•bribing a...
FORTHCOMING CHANGE: The Charities Act 2022 (CA 2022) received Royal Assent on 24 February 2022 and the plan, as set out in Charities Act 2022:...
The freedom of information (FOI) case tracker records and summarises key decisions and case law rulings relating to the enforcement of the Freedom of...
What is littering?Litter can be anything from a crisp packet to a bag of rubbish. All litter is unsightly and causes untidiness. Common litter items...
Forthcoming change: The Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, makes it illegal to sell tobacco to, or purchase...
Latest Local Government Precedents
Address of Website OperatorDear [insert organisation name]Notice and take-down letterWe act for [insert client details], on whose instructions we are...
CauseHow much does it contribute to the problem? (0 = not at all, 10 = a lot)How easy is it...
Date of Agreement ________________________________20[XX]Parties1[INSERT], a company incorporated in [INSERT] (registered number [INSERT]) whose...
STOP PRESS: In A Reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland of a devolution issue under paragraph 34 of Schedule 10 to the Northern...
1Interest on late paymentIf either party fails to make payment in accordance with this Agreement the other party shall be entitled, in addition to any...
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
Certified contract
A contract that meets the 'certification requirements' in the Local Government (Contracts) Act 1997, s 3 and therefore (subject to judicial and audit review) has effect as if the local authority had power to enter into the contract and had exercised that power properly in entering into it.
Economic Prosperity Boards
Bodies corporate with functions relating to the economic development and regeneration of their local authority areas established by order of the Secretary of State (see section 88(1) of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009).
Petition scheme
A scheme for handling both paper and electronic petitions which principal authorities are required to make, publicise and comply with in line with Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009.
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