https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blogKohanaPHPFred Allenhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/echr-reform-and-five-other-public-law-developments-to-look-out-for-in-2026Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000Fred Allen looks at ECHR reform and lists out five other public law developments to look out for in 2026https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/echr-reform-and-five-other-public-law-developments-to-look-out-for-in-2026Emily Carter and Sahil Kherhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/ai-and-access-to-justice-deepening-the-divideTue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000Frontline legal services have the most to gain from artificial intelligence, but also face unique challenges in its provision.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/ai-and-access-to-justice-deepening-the-divideKirsty Cookhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/enhancing-public-accountability-key-elements-of-the-public-office-accountability-bill-2025Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100After many years of campaigning, and further to the Government’s commitment to introduce a statutory duty of candour for public bodies, the  Public Office (Accountability) Bill 2025 (also known as the ‘Hillsborough Law’ bill) was introduced last week.  https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/enhancing-public-accountability-key-elements-of-the-public-office-accountability-bill-2025Natalie Cohen and Kirsty Cookhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/a-new-era-of-football-regulation-the-independent-football-regulatorWed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0100The new Independent Football Regulator (the “IFR”), which will oversee a new regulatory regime designed to protect and promote the sustainability of English men’s elite football, reached a significant milestone last week. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/a-new-era-of-football-regulation-the-independent-football-regulatorIan Kohttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/tech-driven-ethically-bound-new-frc-and-icaew-guidance-on-ai-use-in-the-accountancy-sectorThu, 24 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0100Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital tools are rapidly transforming the accountancy sector with promises of enhanced efficiency, insight and audit quality. Embracing this innovation wave however, does not come without risk, and regulators are increasingly alert to the ethical implications. The FRC has very recently issued new guidance on the use of AI in audit, coinciding with the ICAEW’s new technology-centred revisions to its Code of Ethics, which came into force on 1 July 2025. Responsible and ethical use of AI is now therefore no longer optional, but a regulatory expectation. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/tech-driven-ethically-bound-new-frc-and-icaew-guidance-on-ai-use-in-the-accountancy-sectorSahil Kher and Caitlín Cominshttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/statutory-interpretation-and-wild-camping-supreme-court-upholds-the-right-to-wild-camp-on-the-dartmoor-commonsThu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0100In Darwall and another v Dartmoor National Park Authority [2025] UKSC 20 (21 May 2025), the Supreme Court unanimously upheld the public’s right to “wild camp” on the Dartmoor Commons (“the Commons”). Although the judgment only concerns Dartmoor, which is subject to specific legislation, it has rekindled a wider debate about public rights of access to nature across England and Wales.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/statutory-interpretation-and-wild-camping-supreme-court-upholds-the-right-to-wild-camp-on-the-dartmoor-commonsLord Carter of Haslemere CBhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/freedom-of-speech-in-parliamentThu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0100Freedom of speech in Parliament is a key element of parliamentary privilege, protecting MPs and Lords from legal consequences for what they say in debates.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/freedom-of-speech-in-parliamentLord Carter of Haslemere CBhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/recognising-and-responding-to-early-warning-signs-in-the-public-sectorTue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0100The Committee on Standards in Public Life, an independent body which advises the Prime Minister on arrangements for upholding ethical standards of conduct, has marked its 30th anniversary by issuing a report relating to the need for better recognition by public sector bodies of early warning signs. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/recognising-and-responding-to-early-warning-signs-in-the-public-sectorLord Carter of Haslemere CBhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/are-we-ruled-by-lawyers-or-politiciansWed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000The success or failure of a Government seldom turns on a legal principle, but there is a question as to whether this could happen in the case of this Labour Government.  Why?  Because the Prime Minister and the Attorney General, both eminent lawyers, have drawn a line in the sand with their absolute commitment to compliance with the ‘rule of law’. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/are-we-ruled-by-lawyers-or-politiciansKirsty Cookhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/reform-of-public-inquiries-an-update-on-the-governments-initial-responseFri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000Following on from Kingsley Napley’s event in January which discussed the recent House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee’s report, the Government has now published its eagerly-awaited response.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/reform-of-public-inquiries-an-update-on-the-governments-initial-responseFred Allenhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/ai-battles-and-five-other-public-law-developments-to-look-out-for-in-2025Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000Hardly a day goes by without Artificial Intelligence dominating the headlines. Much ink has been spilled about the deployment of AI and algorithmic decision-making tools by the state. As programmes continue to be rolled out, it seems inevitable that some will start to be rolled back as a result of legal challenges. Concerns have already been raised about tools being used in immigration investigations and decision-making, the criminal justice system, and the welfare system.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/ai-battles-and-five-other-public-law-developments-to-look-out-for-in-2025Charlie Roehttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/case-summary-r-bournemouth-poole-and-christchurch-council-v-local-government-and-social-care-ombudsman-2025-ewhc-224-adminFri, 07 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000This case concerned the lawfulness of mandatory extra charges levied by private nurseries on parents accessing free childcare through the government’s Free Early Education Entitlement (“FEEE”) scheme.       https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/case-summary-r-bournemouth-poole-and-christchurch-council-v-local-government-and-social-care-ombudsman-2025-ewhc-224-adminEmily Carter and Natalie Cohenhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/making-public-inquiries-work-with-joshua-rozenberg-and-baroness-sandersonFri, 24 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000Last night, Kingsley Napley welcomed Joshua Rozenberg to its offices to chair an expert panel to discuss a highly topical issue: “Making Public Inquiries Work”. It was a fascinating event which underlined the need for reform, innovation, and fresh thinking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public inquiries.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/making-public-inquiries-work-with-joshua-rozenberg-and-baroness-sandersonSahil Kher and Andrea Dallinghttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/alternative-remedies-in-judicial-review-the-case-of-re-mcaleenon-2024-uksc-31Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000In October, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous judgment providing guidance on the approach to be taken where a regulator who is subject to judicial review proceedings contends that the claim should be dismissed due to an “alternative suitable remedy”.  https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/alternative-remedies-in-judicial-review-the-case-of-re-mcaleenon-2024-uksc-31Natalie Cohenhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/is-reform-of-public-inquiries-now-on-the-horizonThu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0100On 16 September 2024 the House of Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee (“the Committee”) published its report looking into the efficacy of the law and practice relating to statutory public inquiries held under the Inquiries Act 2005. The Committee, with Lord Norton of Louth as its chair, conducted oral sessions and considered written evidence from a selection of individuals and organisations including academics, experts, government officials, former Ministers, former inquiry chairs, secretaries, solicitors, barristers, representatives from campaign organisations and other interest groups.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/is-reform-of-public-inquiries-now-on-the-horizonPublic Law Teamhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/the-politics-of-public-inquiriesThu, 08 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0100Statutory public inquiries have strong legal powers to compel witnesses to participate. How these are exercised depends on the circumstances and reflects the reality that public inquiries are part of the political process rather than the legal process, or a hybrid of the two.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/the-politics-of-public-inquiriesSahil Kherhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/the-energy-transition-labour-unpick-the-past-and-outline-their-policy-visionTue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100Labour have hit the ground running on energy policy issues with several significant announcements in the days after coming into power. Ahead of the Kings Speech tomorrow (17 July), we look at the key developments in the last two weeks and what we might see going forward. https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/the-energy-transition-labour-unpick-the-past-and-outline-their-policy-visionLord Carter of Haslemere CBhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/another-legal-duty-of-candour-on-public-servants-and-authoritiesTue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0100Labour’s manifesto promises a ‘Hillsborough Law’ which will place a legal duty of candour on public servants and authorities.  But what are the implications?https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/another-legal-duty-of-candour-on-public-servants-and-authoritiesSahil Kherhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/supreme-court-clarifies-the-law-on-downstream-emissions-and-environmental-impact-assessmentsMon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100A year on from hearing a ground-breaking challenge concerning the duty on planning authorities to consider “downstream” emissions when deciding planning applications, the Supreme Court handed down its judgment in R(Finch) v Surrey County Council and ors [2024] UKSC 20 on Thursday morning (20 June 2024).https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/supreme-court-clarifies-the-law-on-downstream-emissions-and-environmental-impact-assessmentsPublic Law Teamhttps://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/identity-mattersMon, 03 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0100In his leading judgment in Secretary of State for the Home Department and another v R (on the application of IAB & others) [2024] EWCA Civ 66, [2024]All ER (D) 128 (Mar), Lord Justice Bean  branded the government’s routine practice of redacting civil servants’ names from documents for disclosure in judicial review proceedings ‘inimical to open government and unsupported by authority’.https://www.kingsleynapley.co.uk/insights/blogs/public-law-blog/identity-matters