SharpeEdge Archive
King’s Speech 2026 – Sharpe Pritchard’s Take
May 14, 2026
Sharpe Pritchard talks through the Kings' Speech, diving into the legislative plans for the year ahead.
Why Councils Are Adopting the Leisure “Agency Model” to Unlock VAT Efficiencies
May 13, 2026
Tim Farr explains the move from councils towards the agency model in a bid to tackle rising costs and tighter budgets.
Local Elections 2026: What the Results Mean for Councils – and How Sharpe Pritchard Can Help
May 13, 2026
The local elections this week have delivered a striking set of results: significant churn in council leadership, a clear trend towards multi‑party competition, and a growing number of authorities operating with no overall control. For council leaders, chief executives and…
First Procurement Act 2023 Judgment: What it Means for Authorities and Suppliers
May 13, 2026
Juli Lau and Melodi Mangan analyse the first court judgment under the Procurement Act 2023 and what it means for Authorities and Suppliers.
Generative AI in complaints and requests: Opportunities, risks and implications for public bodies
May 13, 2026
George McLellan, Fred Groves & Christopher Watkins discuss the impact of generative AI on the public's interactions with public bodies.
Sharpe Pritchard Launches ‘Renew’ to Connect Regulatory Insight With Private Capital Driving Net Zero
May 13, 2026
Sharpe Pritchard has launched Sharpe Pritchard Renew, a dedicated energy and renewables legal offering designed to support the deployment of private capital into energy infrastructure.
The meaning and application of “freedom of speech” within the law
April 30, 2026
George McLellan and Olivia Dawson represented the Free Speech Union in intervening to present written submissions to the Court concerning the meaning and application of “freedom of speech within the law”.
High Court rules on the service of local authority decision notices by email
April 30, 2026
The High Court has confirmed that email service of statutory notices and decisions by local authorities is valid and effective on delivery, irrespective of whether the email is seen by the person concerned. Chloe McQuillan, Olivia Peake, and Amy Dann explain what you need to…
Post award modifications: Analysis of the “Modifications Claim” in TNLC v The Gambling Commission [2026] EWHC 891 (TCC)
April 24, 2026
Nicola Sumner and Beatrice Wood consider the recent judgment which included claims in relation to the conduct of the procurement process (the “Process Claim”) and a challenge to post award modifications made to the Fourth UK National Lottery Licence (the “Modifications Claim”).
Separation of Powers in Wales: Is there a duty to consult before introducing a Bill into the Senedd Cymru?
April 24, 2026
Oliver Dickie and Olivia Peake consider the judgment in R (The Greyhound Board of Great Britain Limited) v The Welsh Ministers [2026] EWHC 670 (Admin).
Companies House Reform: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
April 16, 2026
Companies House has already seen some significant changes to its powers and to the way it operates, and there are further changes ahead. Ryan Copeland and Ruth Crout explain the details.
Permission for Take Off: £205m Cardiff Airport Subsidy Authorised by the CAT
April 16, 2026
This week saw the Competition Appeal Tribunal (“CAT”) hand down judgment in the case of Bristol Airport Limited v Welsh Ministers [2026] CAT 30. It’s a subsidy control case of particular interest, as it is the first to interrogate the level of detail required from the assessment…
New Regulations for the Use of AI in Court Documents?
April 16, 2026
Fred Groves and Christopher Watkins provide insight into growing judicial concern about accuracy, professional responsibility and the efficient administration of justice in the face of Artificial Intelligence.
CILEX and others v Mazur and others [2026] EWCA Civ 369
April 07, 2026
The Dispute Resolution team reacts to the landmark Court of Appeal judgment in CILEX and others v Mazur and others [2026] EWCA Civ 369.
The ERA – Benefits and Working Conditions
April 01, 2026
Catrin Mills and David Leach provide an overview of the key changes within the Employment Rights Act to workplace benefits and working conditions.
£150m Clean Maritime Grant Competition Opens – Critical Subsidy Control Steps for Applicants
April 01, 2026
Beatrice Wood and Oliver Slater discuss the second round of “Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2 (ZEVI 2): Energy Efficiency”, offering up to £150 million in grant funding for large‑scale demonstration projects.
Failure by Employers to Keep Holiday Records Becomes a Criminal Offence From April 2026
April 01, 2026
Julie Bann, Catrin Mills, David Leach and Christian Grierson talk through the upcoming changes to employment law.
Why I Wanted to Explore Intensity of Review Across the UK and New Zealand
April 01, 2026
Jack Trevella shares his experience of the difference in UK vs New Zealand courts on the doctrine of reasonableness.
The Local Power Plan: Putting Clean Power in Communities’ Hands
March 18, 2026
Great British Energy and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have unveiled the Local Power Plan — up to £1 billion in funding for what they describe as the UK’s “largest public investment in community energy”. Sophie Read explains the details.
Anti-Money Laundering: Key Issues for Local Government Legal and Governance Teams
March 09, 2026
Money laundering risk is often seen as a problem for banks, lawyers and accountants. But local authorities are far from immune. In a recent webinar hosted by Sharpe Pritchard, Corporate Partner Pete Collins explored how anti-money laundering (AML) laws apply to local…
Arts and Culture, Community and Regeneration: The Two New Streamlined Subsidy Routes
Beatrice Wood and Sophie Read explore the two new Streamlined Routes, officially introduced in February this year, to simplify the awards…
Reserve below-threshold contracts for UK or local suppliers under the 2026 Order
Juli Lau and Shyann Sheehy look into the impact of the Local Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026,…
CMO Principle and Financial Assistance Further Clarified in Latest CAT Judgment on Subsidy Control
Beatrice Wood and Oliver Dickie explore the key implications for public authorities following the latest CAT judgment on subsidy control…
Make Europe Build Again – The EU Industrial Accelerator Act
Kamran Zaheer provides an insight into the anticipated “Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA)" and whether it will result in a “Made in Europe”…
2026 in construction: a look ahead
Michael Comba and Rachel Murray-Smith provide a summary of the key points of interest in the upcoming year in the construction sector,…
Heat Network Zoning: What the Government’s 2026 Response Means for Local Authorities
Tom Knox analyses the government's reply to the consultation on heat network zoning and shares the main takeaways for the impact it will…
A National Security Assessment: Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Collapse – Implications for Infrastructure and Energy
Bridget Newman talks readers through the recent National Security Assessment on Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National…
Another bite at the cherry? New application issued in the CAT challenges subsidies proposed by Durham County Council
Beatrice Wood and Shyann Sheehy provide an insight into a new challenge in the Competition Appeal Tribunal to proposed subsidies to be put…
G-Cloud 14 to G-Cloud 15 – What is changing?
James Berry talks through the change from G-Cloud 14 to 15 - what does it mean for the CCS, and what does it mean for suppliers?
Providence v Hexagon – Supreme Court overrules Court of Appeal on JCT termination provisions
Helen Arthur and David Owens look at the lessons from a landmark Supreme Court ruling on JCT termination.
Heat network regulation goes live on 27 January 2026 – Are you complying?
Steve Gummer walks those regulated by the new Heat Network regime through the new rules, and what they mean for suppliers and operators.
Do we have a right to a jury trial in the UK?
Chloe McQuillan and Olivia Peake discuss the proposed reforms to the jury system and the viewpoint of the opposing voices.
White Paper or White Flag? And the Big Red Lines
Steve Gummer shares his insight into what Defra's new 'New Vision for Water' and the test for deliverability actually mean for the water…
Data Centres Enter the NSIP Regime
James Goldthorpe and Emyr Thomas explain the UK government facilitating data centre developments through the NSIP regime and how…
Scope of Judicial Review in a Contractual Context
Olivia Dawson and Olivia Peake provide an update on recent case law and how it reflects on the scope of judicial review in a contractual…
Local authority leisure services: The agency model
James Berry explains the tax context, the practical implications and key issues to address when implementing or modifying arrangements.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 – Breakdown of Key Dates
Julie Bann, David Leach, Christian Grierson and Madina Sakhi guide readers through the new Employment Rights Act 2025.
Providence Building Services Limited v Hexagon Housing Association Limited – The case for a stay
Peter Jansen analyses a recent Court of Appeal decision to overturn a Technology and Construction Court ruling concerning the validity of…
Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England
James Berry offers his insight into how the proposed changes to standards and conduct rules will affect local authorities.
Procuring and operating open frameworks under the Procurement Act 2023
Chantelle Pink offers advice to authorities on open frameworks and how to procure them.
Building Solar – 5 Top Tips for Solar Farm Construction Contracts
Solar farm construction contracts are in focus following fascinating insights into the continuing global uptake and expansion of…
The ‘Hillsborough Bill’ – Voices for victims or just more lip service?
Jonathan Blunden, Alastair Lewis and Conrad Turnock talk through the recently introduced 'Hillsborough' Bill, aimed at giving victims of…
Twelve New Towns for the Future
James Goldthorpe and Conrad Turnock summarise the New Towns Taskforce’s report to Government, published on 28th September, and ask - what…
Key updates to the Administrative Court Guide
Chloe McQuillan and Jonathan Blunden dive into recent amendments to the Administrative Court Judicial Review Guide, exploring what they…
Algorithm and State: Automated decision-making in the UK Public Sector
Beatrice Wood explores the impact of Automated Decision making on the UK government and local authority sector.
The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce Interim Report
Bridget Newman discusses the report published by the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce on the UK’s nuclear regulatory framework.
Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (“the Bill”)
The team at Sharpe Pritchard provides readers with an overview of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
High Court backs Newham’s Compulsory Purchase of Final Flat in Redevelopment Scheme
Francesca Gallagher and Rachel Hey discuss the recent High Court judgment upholding the Compulsory Purchase Order of a London council.
A New Chapter for UK Sustainability Reporting: Government Consultations Open
On 25 June 2025, the UK Government launched three major consultations aimed at strengthening sustainability reporting and climate…
REMA Update: New direction for electricity market reform
Bridget Newman provides insight into the future of the electricity market under the influence of the Review of Electricity Market…
Ofgem’s energy system cost allocation and recovery review – Proposed reforms and impact assessment
Kamran Zaheer brings readers up to date with the latest proposed reforms to the sharing out of Britain's energy costs.
Powering the future: Legal insight on driving demand for hydrogen in the UK
Meghan Vaillancourt analyses the law surrounding the future of hydrogen fuel in the UK after report from the leading trade association.
Commercial market operator principle clarified in CAT ruling on subsidy control challenge
Jonathan Blunden, Oliver Slater and Oliver Dickie analyse a recent Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) judgment rejecting a challenge to two…
Government issues response to the UK ETS expansion to waste
Natasha Barlow provides insight into the Government's response to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme consultation.
Some thoughts for a government implementing Cunliffe
Steve Gummer provides an in depth explanation of the impact that the Cunliffe Report will have, and shares how the report is not quite what…
Abolition of GB electricity zonal Pricing – Welcome certainty for developers and investors
Nimoy Kher explains the ins and outs of zonal pricing on electricity around the country.
Beyond the headlines: The Cunliffe Report’s quiet revolution in UK water regulation
Sharpe Pritchard provide insight into the Cunliffe Report, exploring the impact that the proposed changes would have on the water sector.
Cunliffe in-depth: What the Cunliffe Report means and what comes next
Steve Gummer and Allan Owen delve into the recently published Cunliffe Report, and explain what it means for the water sector.
Onshore wind opportunities for local authorities in 2025
Tom Knox explains net-zero options opening up for local authorities from new government strategies and planning reform.
The CAT’s approach to Subsidy Decision Reviews: Fast, cheap and simple?
Olivia Dawson and Oliver Slater consider the Subsidy Control Act’s subsidy challenge regime, the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s (the…
Millbrook Healthcare Limited v Devon County Council – Its impact on local government procurement
Oliver Dickie, Christopher Watkins and George McLellan dive into the recent High Court judgment on interim relief in procurement claims.
Airport Subsidy Challenged in the CAT
Oliver Slater, Beatrice Wood and Steve Gummer dive into the latest Competition Appeal Tribunal subsidy control challenge, brought against…
IPA guidance 2025: Managing PFI distress and preparing for expiry
Aanya Gujral and David Owens dive into the recent guidance published on managing the risks associated with Private Finance Initiative…
Modifying subsidies: What is permitted and what is not?
Beatrice Wood and Oliver Slater explore recent developments and discuss the process of awarding subsidies.
Getting new PPP right: Smarter tools for smarter infrastructure
Nicola Sumner, Steve Gummer and Roseanne Serrelli discuss the 'dos and don'ts' of Public-private Partnerships in their new form.
Zones/RABs and heat networks: The path to an investible infrastructure asset class?
The UK’s new heat network zoning framework (the outlines for which were drawn by the Energy Act 2023) is set to redefine how low‑carbon…
Partial debt guarantees- Reviving Investment in UK Water Infrastructure
Is it Time for a Public Sector Major Infrastructure Debt Guarantor?
Court gives clarity on consultations : R (The National Council for Civil Liberties) and others v The Secretary of State for the Home Department
Chloe Woodward and Joe Walker discuss a recent judgment on when engagement with third parties constitute a formal consultation and must…
URS Corporation Limited v BDW Trading Limited [2025] UKSC 21 – Supreme Court hands down significant judgment for the construction industry
Helen Arthur explores a recent Supreme Court judgment on building safety in high-rise buildings, explaining what the decision means for…
Catch me if you can: Local government blazes a trail in increased SME spending
Juli Lau and Natasha Barlow take readers through the report published by the BCC on procurement spending.
Changing Course: Navigating Variations Under JCT and NEC Contracts
Tiah Weekes explains the process of changes to contracts in the field of construction.
Lessons in public consultation: High Court finds failures in local authority’s consideration of consultation responses
George McLellan and Samuel Hart explore the High Court decision ruling that Lambeth Council broke the law in the process of establishing an…
Allocating risk in amended JCT contracts: Lessons from John Sisk & Son Limited v Capital & Centric (Rose) Limited
David Owens and Elizabeth Withers explore recent developments in construction contract case law.
Election challenges
Emyr Thomas dives into the details of how election results can be challenged and what those who wish to challenge a result can expect.
Raising integrity voluntarily: The UK’s carbon and nature markets consultation
Steve Gummer explores the most recent consultation from the UK Government on making positive changes to carbon and nature credits.
Ofgem Approval of TM04+ Reforms – Fixing the Connection Queue
Steve Gummer and Tom Knox look into the Ofgem decision on a round of reform to the UK's energy grid.
LDES cap and floor scheme: Ofgem launches first application window for long duration electricity storage
Jemima Allison and Steve Gummer provide insight into the opening of the first application window under Ofgem's new cap and floor regulatory…
The Construction Products Reform Green Paper 2025: paving the way for wide scale change to the construction products regime
Rachel Murray-Smith, Melanie Blake and Laura Campbell explain the proposed reforms to the construction products regime.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill: Nature Recovery
Alastair Lewis and James Goldthorpe analyse major reform proposals to the way in which environmental obligations are discharged within the…
New statutory obligations for public venues
James Mallery-Nelson discusses the legal requirements of Martyn’s Law.
LDES cap and floor scheme: Ofgem launches first application window for long duration electricity storage
In a landmark step for the UK’s energy strategy, Ofgem has officially opened the first application window under its new cap and floor…
Manchester United’s new stadium proposals: a subsidy banana skin?
Oliver Slater and Beatrice Wood discuss the application of the subsidy control regime to Manchester United's plans for a new stadium and…
Please mind the “registration gap”!
Niki Constantinou looks at the risks presented by the gap that appears between the completion of a transfer and the date when the transfer…
Planning and Infrastructure Bill – Spatial Development Strategies
Emily Knowles analyses the provisions on spatial development strategies in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
“Oh what a woollen web we weave…”
James Mallery-Nelson analyses the recent case of Patarkatsishvili v Woodward Fisher [2025] and looks at how to avoid misrepresentation in…
Planning and Infrastructure Bill – Planning Decisions
Rebecca Stewart analyses the provisions in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill that relate to planning decisions.
Breaking new ground – The tribunal’s approach to ‘just and equitable’ in Remediation Contribution Orders
A recent Tribunal judgment stresses the importance of proactive enforcement of building safety standards, write Elizabeth Withers and David…
Planning and Infrastructure Bill - What you need to know
James Goldthorpe, Emily Knowles and Emyr Thomas provide insight into the recently introduced Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
Court of Appeal upholds state subsidy in Bulb takeover case
Jonathan Blunden, Oliver Slater and Christopher Watkins discuss the recent judgment in a case regarding the takeover of Bulb Energy by…
Court allowed council to offset legal costs from tenant’s rent arrears
Sharpe Pritchard recently acted for a local Authority landlord in a case where they successfully ‘set off’ the tenant’s outstanding rent…
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ABOUT SHARPE PRITCHARD
We are a national firm of public law specialists, serving local authorities, other public sector organisations and registered social landlords, as well as commercial clients and the third sector. Our team advises on a wide range of public law matters, spanning electoral law, procurement, construction, infrastructure, data protection and information law, planning and dispute resolution, to name a few key specialisms. All public sector organisations have a route to instruct us through the various frameworks we are appointed to. To find out more about our services, please click here.
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