Legal
Councils urged to review homelessness procedures
Councils have been urged to ensure their homelessness procedures are ‘fit for purpose’ after faults were found with the treatment of a disabled woman.
Power of attorney system 'deeply flawed'
One of Britain’s foremost experts on safeguarding the elderly has warned that the power of attorney system is deeply flawed.
Authority denies abusing legal powers
A council has hit back at a government watchdog after being accused of abusing legal powers to halt the publication of complaints against it.
Council apologises for court order breach
Gloucestershire CC has apologised to the parents of a child after a judge ruled the council breached a court order when it took the youngster into care.
Council accused of abusing legal powers to gag complaints
A council has hit back at a government watchdog after being accused of abusing legal powers to halt the publication of complaints against it.
Councils win legal battle with health boards
Health boards in Wales ‘misinterpreted’ the law over who is responsible for paying for nurses to deliver social care in residential homes, a court has ruled.
LGA mounts legal challenge over excessive credit card fees
More than 100 councils have joined a fully-funded legal challenge against MasterCard and Visa amid claims the companies unlawfully charged excessive interchange fees on transactions.
Grenfell residents face 'slow and painful' journey for justice
Grieving residents and families could be left disappointed by ‘slow and painful’ legal processes in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy, local government lawyers have warned.
Growing pains
Diary will not rest until Chelsea FC are playing their home matches on a small patch of Astroturf inside the gardening section of Homebase.
A more volatile environment for senior managers
Sam Clayden reports on the alarming rise in dismissals and suspensions of chief executives and the fallout it creates.
Appeal granted over ‘unlawful’ boycott of Israel
The Government has received permission to appeal a court ruling that found its attempt to prevent councils boycotting Israel through their pension schemes was ‘unlawful’.
Council wins battle with sex shop chain over licensing
Westminster City Council has won a key victory in its five-year battle over the level of fees that councils can charge licenced premises.
Ombudsman report prompts fresh DoLS reform calls
Fresh calls have been made for urgent reforms to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) system after people were found waiting for proper assessments for years.
Council's head of legal services suspended
Cheshire East Council’s head of legal services, Bill Norman, has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into the alleged conduct of senior officers.
Standards committee investigation after High Court ruling
A former deputy leader of Sandwell MBC who denies claims of serious misconduct in office will face a full investigation following a High Court ruling.
Tensions rise as NHS fines 22 councils for bed-blocking
The NHS has fined at least 22 councils for bed-blocking and threatened 11 others with charges amid escalating tensions between health and care.
Austerity must be eased
Heather Jameson says that without the return of business rates or a solution to the social care crisis, the only option must be the easing of austerity.
Chief resigns ahead of crunch hearing
Bury MBC’s suspended chief executive, Mike Owen, resigned ahead of this week’s hearing into his handling of historical child abuse allegations.
It’s time for a cultural shift in public sector procurement
Social impact cannot be achieved unless place-based organisations' role in the commissioning of private sector contracts is increased, argues Mark Cook.
Council makes 'significant improvements'
Inverclyde Council has made ‘significant improvements’ in its financial management and service delivery, auditors have found.