UK Court Decisions - Court of Appeal and High Court Listings

Inner Temple Library Current Awareness service published a listing of recent UK court decisions spanning Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) and multiple High Court divisions including Administrative, Admiralty, Chancery, Commercial, Family, King's Bench, and Technology and Construction Courts. Decisions date from February to April 2026.

UK Teachers Receive £15m Compensation Payout for Workplace Injuries

The NASUWT teachers' union revealed it secured almost £15.5m in compensation for UK school staff last year, covering personal injury claims, unfair dismissal, discrimination, and health and safety violations. Notable cases included a teacher who contracted leptospirosis from a rat infestation and another injured when a pupil threw objects at them, both receiving six-figure settlements.

Record £268k fine for illegal tree felling

Leicester Magistrates' Court imposed a record £268,751 fine on Motor Fuel Ltd for illegal tree felling in Leicestershire. The company pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an enforcement notice served after felling mixed broadleaf woodland beside a petrol station in 2019. The court also ordered the landowner to replant and maintain 176 trees on the site for 10 years.

BSB to publish barristers disciplinary charges after case management hearing

The Bar Standards Board has decided to bring forward publication of disciplinary charges against barristers to after the case management hearing, rather than waiting until a convening order is signed off less than 14 days before the substantive hearing. Following a public consultation that received eight responses broadly supporting earlier publication, the BSB rowed back from naming defendants at the point charges are brought due to concerns about stress on barristers. The regulator stated this balances openness with procedural fairness by allowing objections before publication.

BSB Rejects Good Law Project Complaint Against Gender Critical Barrister

The Bar Standards Board has rejected a complaint by the Good Law Project against barrister Sarah Phillimore over social media posts referring to a trans woman complainant. The BSB determined that Phillimore 'has the right to manifest her gender critical beliefs' and that her posts did not constitute harassment or breach of Core Duty 5 requiring investigation. The GLP stated it will request an independent review and may pursue judicial review proceedings.

Funeral Director Robert Bush Pleads Guilty to 30 Counts of Preventing Lawful Burial and Fraud

Robert Bush, operator of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull, pleaded guilty to 30 counts of preventing a lawful burial, 30 counts of fraud by false representation, theft from 12 charities, and fraudulent trading relating to funeral plans between 2012 and 2024. Police found 35 bodies and over 100 sets of ashes at the premises in March 2024. The case involved presenting grieving families with incorrect ashes while bodies remained decomposing on site for months, including one for approximately a year.

Age-Disputed Children Detained in Adult Detention Under One-In-One-Out Scheme

The Humans for Rights Network has identified 76 age-disputed children detained in UK adult detention centres since the one-in-one-out removal scheme began in September. Of these, 26 have been released into children's social services care, 11 released into adult accommodation pending age assessments, and 13 forcibly removed to France. Research indicates many detained children are survivors of torture and trafficking experiencing acute mental health declines.

Chambers and ex-tenant face trial over unpaid rent

A dispute between No5 Chambers Ltd and former tenant barrister Paul Marshall over £71,200 in allegedly unpaid chambers contributions is scheduled for trial on 20 April 2026 at Central London County Court. A pre-trial ruling by Recorder Graeme Robertson struck out multiple non-compliant paragraphs from Marshall's witness statement for violations of Practice Direction 57AC governing witness statements in Business and Property Courts proceedings.

Holiday let owner faces bankruptcy under 182-day rule

BBC News reports on the impact of Welsh holiday let regulations on small operators, including Paul Martin who runs four holiday cottages near Newtown and faces potential bankruptcy due to council tax premium charges under the 182-day rule. The legislation, introduced three years ago, subjects holiday lets not rented for at least 182 days annually to council tax at premium rates of up to 75%, in some cases creating five-figure annual liabilities for affected property owners.

Tribunal Judge Alex Hobbs Sanctioned for Misconduct - 16-Week Decision Delay

The Judicial Conduct Investigations Office found that Tribunal Judge Alex Hobbs committed misconduct by issuing a decision notice 16 weeks after a child maintenance service tribunal hearing. The Lady Chief Justice and Lord Chancellor issued Hobbs with formal advice for misconduct, the least severe sanction available for judicial office-holders. The investigation noted Hobbs had not informed parties of the delay, failed to respond to multiple chase emails, and only issued the decision after a complaint was made.