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Education

Oxfordshire Director of Legal

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Local government contracts and the ultra vires doctrine

In the light of the recent school facility management case invoving the Isle of Wight Council, Rob Hann takes a look at the weapons now available to local government to avoid the ‘horrors’ of ultra vires. Read more
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  NEWS

June 26, 2020

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman resumes taking new complaints online

The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has announced that, after pausing all casework during the COVID-19 crisis, it will be resuming all existing casework and taking on new complaints through its website from next week (29 June).
June 23, 2020

Chancery Lane demands action to clear employment tribunals backlog

The Law Society has called for action to be taken to clear a backlog of cases in employment tribunals ahead of an anticipated "avalanche" of post-COVID claims.
June 19, 2020

Browne Jacobson appoints new Head of Higher Education

Law firm Browne Jacobson has appointed partner Bettina Rigg to its national education practice where she will be the firm’s Head of Higher Education.
June 05, 2020

Spending watchdog warns public bodies on challenge of managing end of PFI contracts as disputes loom

More than a third of public bodies expect to have formal disputes as PFI contracts come to an end, the National Audit Office has found.
Jun 03, 2020

Employment Appeal Tribunal rejects appeal by council over unfair dismissal ruling following maintained school closure

May 26, 2020

DAC Beachcroft acts for council in successful defence of £8m sixth-form centre dispute

May 22, 2020

Data watchdog relaxes regulatory function to prioritise guidance on complying with law during coronavirus public health emergency

May 18, 2020

School breached data protection and human rights, unlawfully misused personal information of Down's Syndrome pupil and mother: High Court

May 14, 2020

Mayor of London loses statutory challenge over permission for substantial development at top private school

May 11, 2020

School fails in Court of Appeal bid to have Ofsted report quashed

May 05, 2020

HM Land Registry makes temporary changes on identity verification, allows ‘Mercury signing approach’ for deeds

May 04, 2020

Government hands £3m grant to law centres as part of support for charities during COVID-19

May 01, 2020

LLG and ADSO issue guidance on new regulations covering school admissions appeals

Apr 30, 2020

Department for Education relaxes statutory timescales in four sets of regulations relating to SEN system

Apr 30, 2020

Judge orders fresh hearing of appeal over school places decision after successful challenge by renting residents

Apr 29, 2020

Campaigners given permission for legal challenge over guidance from council on transgender issues in schools

Apr 29, 2020

Supreme Court rules against government on LGPS and ethical disinvestment

Apr 29, 2020

Law Commission calls for reforms to close “unsatisfactory gaps” in powers of employment tribunals

  FEATURES AND ANALYSIS

June 26, 2020

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes - a practical checklist for varying public sector agreements

How should you go about varying agreements? Kieran McGaughey provides a practical checklist.
June 26, 2020

Asking employees to re-apply for their old jobs

Can an employer ask a redundant employee to apply for their old job? Mark Stevens examines a recent Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) ruling.
June 19, 2020

COVID-19 changes to SEN duties

Steve Broach and Gethin Thomas look at the latest changes to SEN duties during the Covid-19 pandemic.
June 12, 2020

The End of PFI or… a new dawn for local authority infrastructure investment?

Rob Hann assesses new guidance from the National Audit Office for public bodies as PFI contracts start coming to an end, and looks at what the future holds for local authority investment.
June 12, 2020

Time limits for tender challenges

Rhodri Williams QC examines a recent High Court ruling on the test for extending time to bring a public procurement challenge.
June 04, 2020

Changes to insolvency legislation

The Government has announced changes to the insolvency framework, including provisions relating to PPP and PFI contracts. Melanie Pears and Tim Care look at the key points.
June 02, 2020

Emergency procurements in the UK

How do things look in the Covid era? Michael Bowsher QC and Ben Rayment consider the thorny issues around emergency procurements.
May 22, 2020

School Admissions Appeals - New Coronavirus Regulations

VWV Education Partner Yvonne Spencer explains the new regulations that have been enforced in relation to schools admissions appeals.

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  NEWS

Apr 28, 2020

Councils call on government to clarify “reasonable endeavours” for discharge of duty to secure special education provision

Apr 28, 2020

Claimants get green light for legal challenge to post-16 school transport policy of county council

Apr 28, 2020

Supreme Court to rule tomorrow on government guidance on LGPS and disinvestment

Apr 27, 2020

University looks to appoint single legal services provider to £2m contract

Apr 20, 2020

Met Police agrees to review role of police in schools following legal action

Apr 16, 2020

Information watchdog sets out its regulatory approach during COVID-19

Apr 16, 2020

DfE to make regulatory changes to school admissions appeals requirements during COVID-19

Apr 15, 2020

Judges cannot be expected to undertake their full list remotely: senior members of judiciary warn

Apr 14, 2020

Court of Appeal dismisses appeal over decision by council to reduce part of SEND provision by 5%

Apr 14, 2020

Challenge to local authority school transport policy was third Welsh medium High Court matter to date

Apr 14, 2020

Winckworth Sherwood promotes education and infrastructure specialists to partner

Apr 09, 2020

Councils face legal action over access to education during lockdown

Apr 08, 2020

Health and safety watchdog outlines when RIDDOR report is needed for COVID-19 cases

Apr 07, 2020

Court of Appeal rejects appeal over changes made by county council to SEN transport policy affecting 16-18 year olds

Apr 03, 2020

Tribunal stays information rights cases for 28 days

Apr 02, 2020

Met Police hit with legal challenge over governance of safer schools officers

Apr 02, 2020

Supreme Court rules on vicarious liability for data breach

Mar 30, 2020

Network of priority courts launched for essential face-to-face hearings

Mar 27, 2020

Public law specialist Broach moves to 39 Essex Chambers

Mar 26, 2020

Coronavirus Act 2020 receives Royal Assent

Mar 26, 2020

Ombudsman suspends complaints enquiries of councils and care providers

Mar 23, 2020

Judiciary issue protocol on conduct of remote hearings in civil justice

Mar 20, 2020

Government publishes Coronavirus Bill

Mar 20, 2020

ACAS issues guidance on home-working for employers and employees

Mar 20, 2020

Government sets out list of ‘key workers’ to be prioritised for education provision

Mar 20, 2020

Government issues policy note and guidance on public procurement and responses to COVID-19

Mar 19, 2020

Office for Students successfully defends first judicial review action

Mar 18, 2020

Mother sends letter before action to government over coronavirus and strategy for needs of younger disabled people, lack of testing of health and social care workers

Mar 18, 2020

LLG and ADSO write to Secretary of State on impact of Covid-19 on governance

Mar 18, 2020

Supreme Court gives NHS trust permission to appeal voluntary overtime and holiday pay ruling

Mar 18, 2020

Browne Jacobson makes record 22 promotions to senior associate

Mar 17, 2020

Lord Chief Justice calls for more remote hearings, says it is vital administration of justice does not grind to a halt

Mar 17, 2020

Ofsted suspends all routine inspections

Mar 16, 2020

Mother launches judicial review challenge over decision not to close schools in Northern Ireland over coronavirus outbreak

Mar 13, 2020

HMCTS issues guidance for courts and tribunals users during coronavirus outbreak

  MORE FEATURES

May 22, 2020

Injuncting Ofsted reports

The Court of Appeal has maintained the heightened hurdle test when it comes to seeking an injunction over an Ofsted report, says Peter Oldham QC.
May 21, 2020

Holiday pay and annual leave on furlough

Debra Gers examines the government guidance on holiday pay and annual leave for employees on furlough.
May 18, 2020

Time for SEND reform

A new plan in relation to special educational needs and disability is urgently needed, writes Rosie Tabrizi.
May 12, 2020

PD51Z, case law update and proposals for space furlough and insolvency protection

Michael Walsh, Daniel Dovar, Jonathan Upton and Piers Harrison discuss PD51Z and Arkin v Marshall, the Supreme Court’s decision in Duval and proposals for space furlough and insolvency protection.
May 12, 2020

SEN and COVID-19

Richard Freeth assess the changes made to special educational needs and disability (SEND) legislation as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
May 12, 2020

Ultra vires contracts and maintained schools in the Commercial Court

Following a two-week trial in the Commercial Court, Foxton J has handed down a very significant judgment concerning the application of the ultra vires doctrine to contracts with public bodies, specifically the powers of education bodies to enter into finance leases. Barristers at 11KBW explain the ruling.
May 04, 2020

School admissions appeals during COVID-19

Allison Cook reviews the government's recently introduced regulations covering school admissions appeals during the coronavirus outbreak, and outlines some key considerations.
April 23, 2020

Amendments to PD51Z

In the first in a series of podcasts addressing topical property related legal issues, Jonathan Upton, Michael Walsh, Piers Harrison and Daniel Dovar of Tanfield Chambers discuss the amendment to PD51Z.
Human Rights 96780326 s 146x219
April 23, 2020

Why is advancing the rule of law so important?

Have you ever considered your human rights? The Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines our various rights under the law, the most basic being: “We are all equal before the law."But, is this really the case?
April 16, 2020

Employment law and Covid-19

This following employment guidance note from LexisNexis provides comprehensive and up to date legal information on employment law changes caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
April 14, 2020

COVID-19 and procurement processes

Procurement is one of those areas where, with some sensible and reasonable adjustments, progress can still be made during the coronavirus pandemic. Lucy Doran explains how.
April 09, 2020

PFI and PF2 projects during the coronavirus

The government has issued IPA guidance on PFI/PF2 projects during COVID-19. Olivia Blessington looks at what it says.