Government Regulation and Public Sector Law

New discretionary powers for mayors and local leaders to introduce visitor levies have sparked controversy in the UK hospitality sector. With Manchester, Liverpool, and Edinburgh already implementing accommodation taxes ranging from £1 to 5% per night, the industry faces questions about whether these charges support local regeneration or place unsustainable burdens on an already heavily-taxed sector. As more cities consider following suit, the debate intensifies over balancing municipal revenue needs a

The Chancellor of the Exchequer faces the formidable challenge of delivering his first Budget amid economic headwinds, geopolitical instability, and a wave of ambitious government promises. With GDP growth forecast at just 1.1%, inflation at 3.4%, and public sector net borrowing exceeding £115 billion, can he balance fiscal responsibility with pledges to avoid raising Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT while funding increased defence spending and social care reforms?

International credit ratings agency Moody’s maintained a stable ‘Aa3’ credit rating for the Isle of Man, the same rating as the UK, supported by its high wealth levels, strong institutions, prudent fiscal policies, very low direct debt and substantial reserves.

Last month, Charles Russell Speechlys in collaboration with G3 hosted a breakfast seminar to unpack what the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) really means for UK SMEs.

Recent drone incidents at Leipzig/Halle Airport and in Lithuanian airspace have exposed critical vulnerabilities in European aviation security, raising complex questions about civil liability, State responsibility, and the adequacy of existing regulatory frameworks. As hostile UAS operations grow more sophisticated, airports and airlines must urgently reassess their contractual arrangements, insurance coverage, and operational resilience planning to address this evolving threat.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a critical flashpoint for global maritime trade following the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran in 2026. With approximately one-fifth of global oil trade passing through this vital waterway, commercial shipping now operates under unprecedented security threats including missile attacks, drone strikes, and mine risks. Marine insurance premiums have skyrocketed from 0.125% to as high as 10% of vessel values, fundamentally altering the economics of Gulf trade and forcing th

Following the Supreme Court's landmark AGNI ruling, the Court of Protection has issued its first comprehensive decision examining the new multifactorial approach to deprivation of liberty. The case of AR, a 25-year-old man with learning disability and autism living under extensive supervision and restrictions, tests the boundaries of what constitutes objective confinement under Article 5.

The Upper Tribunal recently refused an appeal seeking to compel the Charity Commission to investigate charities for alleged harmful and discriminatory practices. The case centered on whether the First-Tier Tribunal has jurisdiction to force the Commission to make decisions about removing charities from the register, raising important questions about the scope of tribunal powers under the Charities Act 2011.

The UK Government has responded to parliamentary concerns about the Supreme Court's AGNI decision and its impact on deprivation of liberty safeguards in healthcare settings. While additional guidance is promised for autumn 2026, no immediate legislative reforms are planned, leaving providers and commissioners to navigate complex implementation challenges with existing statutory frameworks.

Other things being equal, an SMR should produce a unit of electricity at higher cost than a gigawatt-scale plant. That is the diseconomies of scale. Proponents accept the point but say other things are not equal.

Major infrastructure projects across the UK are driving significant investment and job creation, from Heathrow's third runway apprenticeship initiative to Universal's £5bn Bedford theme park. Recent developments include strategic contractor appointments, record-breaking revenue reports, and crucial legal guidance on pre-action disclosure for construction disputes.

Recent appeal decisions reveal how planning inspectors are interpreting and applying the newly published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), particularly regarding grey belt land and Policy S5(1)(j) for development outside settlements. These early determinations demonstrate varying approaches to addressing policy changes and their impact on housing delivery and planning balance considerations.