In Shvidler v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs [2023] EWHC 2121 (Admin), the High Court commented that questions of evidence concerning designating specific individuals under the sanctions regime were not entirely questions of foreign policy on which the court is unqualified to form a view, nor a subject on which the … Read more

Two recent judgments relating to consultation outline the fact and context specific nature of this area. In one decision, the Court of Appeal overturned the High Court’s finding that the Government’s National Disability Strategy was unlawful on the basis that the voluntary exercise undertaken did not meet the requirements of a fair consultation (R (on … Read more

The much-heralded Procurement Bill will bring about a major reform of UK law on the award of public contracts.  The Bill is expected to receive royal assent in autumn 2023 and to go live in autumn 2024.  In preparation, the Cabinet Office has recently launched a second consultation on the proposed secondary legislation required to … Read more

On 6 July 2023, the Divisional Court (the “Court“) handed down its judgment in high profile judicial review proceedings brought by the Cabinet Office against the Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (the “Chair” and the “Inquiry“), ruling in favour of the Chair. The judgment, R (Cabinet Office) v Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry … Read more

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (“REUL Act“) received the royal assent on Thursday 29 June but the same can’t be said for the Bill of Rights Bill (the “Bill“), which the Government confirmed will not be proceeding on 27 June 2023. The REUL Act marks a step forward in the efforts … Read more

The Divisional Court is set to hear a high-profile judicial review today, brought by the Cabinet Office against the Chair of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry (the “Chair” and the “Inquiry“), relating to the Cabinet Office’s document production obligations. The Cabinet Office is challenging a notice issued by the Inquiry under section 21 of the Inquiries … Read more

In R. (on the application of Piffs Elm Ltd) v Commission for Local Administration in England [2023] EWCA Civ 486, the Court of Appeal considered the withdrawal of a decision by the Local Government Ombudsman (the “Ombudsman“), and in doing so, provided useful commentary regarding the limits of a public authority’s implied powers. Key Points … Read more

The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill (REUL Bill) has now completed its report stage in the House of Lords and is due to have its 3rd Reading on 22 May, after which it will return to the Commons.  A reprint of the REUL Bill showing the substantial amendments made at this stage will be … Read more