Public Law

Articles

Pays to be reasonable

Simply agreeing to mediation is no guarantee of protection against costs. Parties must ensure they do not make unrealistic claims, says Tom Collins

Clearer view emerges on the rights of light

A recent appeal court decision should lighten fears by developers that construction stands no chance if there are light obstruction issues, say Tim Foley and Simon Pulley

A fatal misconception

Classifying adults as dependants until they reach 18 or leave higher education may not be as straightforward in fatal accident cases as Williams illustrates, says Michael Imperato

Enforcing the enforcers

The Security Industry Authority is the only suitable body for the regulation of the private bailiff industry. However, it will not be active for some time, leaving county court certification of bailiffs to provide an improved form of regulation, says John Kruse

Opinion: where next for mental health?

Providing legal safeguards for detained patients is essential in a civilised society. However, the arrival of fixed fees is making proper representation for these most vulnerable clients all but impossible, says Richard Charlton.

Environmental waste: what's the damage?

Justine Thornton argues that waste disposal contracts for local authorities under public procurement law may have to include the impact of environmental damage

Who wins at forfeits?

The seller in a property transaction should no longer expect that rescission on the buyer's part will automatically lead to a windfall forfeiture of the initial deposit from the defaulting party, explains Nitej Davda

Local authorities caught between two Acts

The recent decision in M means that local authorities will have to consider their obligations under the Children Act 1989 more carefully in cases involving the housing needs of older teenagers, say Clive Lewis and Joanne Clement