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Dismay at county court afternoon closures

County courts in Greater London will be closed to the public in the afternoon throughout August, prompting further concerns about the quality of service in the capital's courts.

Appeal judges quash "unusual" wind farm decision

Appeal judges have quashed a district council's decision to approve a wind farm because of its unusual voting procedures.

Council slammed over use of surveillance powers

Poole Borough Council unlawfully used anti-terror surveillance powers to spy on a family it suspected had lied about their address so their children would be in a particular local school's catchment area, a tribunal has ruled.

Student who fell off ledge after running from taxi cannot sue council

A student who fell off a ledge and seriously injured himself after running away from a taxi cannot sue the council for failing to properly maintain a fence, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

£600,000 'Sarah's law' scheme results in only 21 disclosures

The Home Office has promised to extend 'Sarah's law' across the country, even though a £600,000 two-year pilot scheme in four police force areas produced only 21 disclosures.

Use it or lose it

Local authorities looking to sell off assets linked to schools or public facilities should be aware that trying to change the purpose of land could result in it being taken back by estate. Michael Fahy explains how reverter clauses work

Order of the day

Community treatment orders are subject to strict criteria, but the rules concerning a patient's suitability for an order and when they might be recalled to hospital would benefit from greater clarity, says Laura Davidson

Stepping back

The Family Division's refusal to order surgery for a severely disabled boy reveals a growing judicial reluctance to get involved with medical decisions, says Barbara Hewson