Government Regulation and Public Sector Law

In Apasen Limited v London Borough of Tower Hamlets [2026] EWHC 2239, the Technology and Construction Court (TCC) has confirmed that a contracting authority cannot rely on a contract award notice to defeat a set aside claim simply by publishing one - the notice must also be accurate.

A UK court has ruled that contracting authorities cannot rely on self-created urgency to justify direct awards under the Procurement Act 2023, and that contract award notices must independently contain accurate justification information. The decision establishes that courts will scrutinize the factual basis of urgency claims and may treat inaccurate notices as if they were never published, potentially allowing contracts to be set aside even after voluntary standstill periods.

The UK government has unveiled its comprehensive 10-year infrastructure strategy, setting out ambitious plans to transform the nation's critical infrastructure landscape. This strategic framework addresses key challenges in power supply, construction, and public-private partnerships, with particular focus on emerging sectors like data centres and modernising existing PFI contracts.

The publication of Donna Ockenden's final report into maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has reignited debate about whether a statutory public inquiry into maternity and neonatal services across England is needed. This article examines how such an inquiry could be designed to investigate rigorously while minimizing trauma to affected families, drawing on lessons from the Ockenden review's trauma-informed engagement methodology.

Parliament is set to debate a reintroduced Bill on assisted dying that would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales with six months or less to live to request assistance to end their own lives. The legislation includes key amendments addressing terminal illness definitions and the appointment of a Voluntary Assisted Dying Commissioner, while an expert group has raised concerns about capacity, consent, and safeguarding provisions.

A groundbreaking three-year partnership between Olliers Solicitors and Greater Manchester Youth Network launches the 'Seen, Heard, Diverted' initiative to address the shocking statistic that 80% of children in the youth justice system are neurodivergent. Can early intervention, rights education, and professional training prevent the systemic criminalisation of autistic and ADHD children across Greater Manchester?

The UK has introduced a new designation regime under the National Security Act 2023, creating criminal offences for supporting designated bodies involved in foreign power threat activity. Commercial organizations must now screen against these non-sanctions designations, which carry penalties of up to 14 years' imprisonment and unlimited fines, as the designated entities will not appear on the UK Sanctions List.

Former soldier and MP Tobias Ellwood examines the fragmentation of the international order and draws parallels with the pre-World War II era, exploring how authoritarianism, Western isolationism, and emerging technologies are reshaping global conflict. The discussion addresses the critical importance of strong leadership, international alliances, and defending the rules-based international system to prevent a more divided and dangerous future.

The UK's defence sector is undergoing a fundamental shift as private capital becomes essential to meeting ambitious security goals. With government spending alone insufficient to drive the innovation...

The Government's long-awaited Remediation Bill is expected to play a central role in the next phase of building safety reform, introducing tougher enforcement powers, new remediation obligations and greater accountability for those responsible for unsafe buildings.

Surrogacy in Mexico operates under state-level regulations rather than federal law, creating significant legal variations across regions. UK intended parents considering Mexican surrogacy face complex challenges including inconsistent documentation processes, potential language barriers, and varying medical standards. Understanding state-specific requirements, securing independent legal advice, and planning for departure logistics are essential steps before pursuing this increasingly popular but legally int

A judicial review hearing will examine whether Traditional Herefords should be classified as a separate native breed or remain a sub-population of the wider Hereford breed. The Hereford Cattle Society, represented by Clarke Willmott, is supporting Defra's position that Traditional Herefords form part of the wider breed, while Australian breeder Peter Hall challenges this classification based on genetic testing.