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
This week's edition of Local Government weekly highlights includes the latest developments on local government reorganisation and public procurement,...
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its education and skills funding agreements and contracts for 2026–27, including extensions to the...
Planning analysis: In Hilltop Experiences v Norfolk CC, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against the refusal of judicial review of Norfolk...
The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance requiring initial teacher training (ITT) providers intending to deliver specified ITT...
A round-up of the latest news from the Housing Ombudsman Service (HOS), including outcomes from a wider order following severe maladministration....
Latest Local Government Practice Notes
This Practice Note was last updated on 19 March 2026.Overview of plan-making reforms under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023The planning...
Overview of plan-making reforms under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023As is set out in detail in Practice Note: Plan-making in England under...
STOP PRESS: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026. See: LNB News 30/04/2026 3. We are...
The nature of the offenceJurisdiction to try allegations under the Bribery Act 2010 (BA 2010) depends on the elements of the offence alleged.Failure...
Part 3, Schedule 5 Part 1–Schedule 5 Part 6 and Schedule 6 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA 2015) contains a consolidated generic set of...
Latest Local Government Precedents
[name] [District] [Borough] [City] CouncilABATEMENT NOTICEmade under section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990To: [name] of [address]Take...
[name, address and telephone number]To: The Clerk to the Justices,[name] Magistrates’ Court[date]Notice of Appeal against an abatement notice,...
OverproductionType of wasteProblem?CommentsHow big is the issue, how often does it happen, who does it affect, what is the impact on the client, is it...
ARCHIVED: This Precedent has been archived and is not maintained.STOP PRESS: As of 24 February 2025, the main provisions of the Procurement Act 2023...
ARCHIVED: This Precedent has been archived and is not maintained.STOP PRESS: As of 24 February 2025, the main provisions of the Procurement Act 2023...
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
Combined authorities
Bodies corporate established by order of the Secretary of State having functions relating to economic development and regeneration and transport (see the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009, s 103(1)-(7)).
Multi-area agreement
A voluntary agreement between Government and a group of councils covering a functional economic area, working together with local agencies, under which they pledge to boost economic growth and tackle deprivation and financial inequalities in return for action by Government to devolve more and reduce barriers to delivering better outcomes.
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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