England and Wales Case Law

Barstow & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Green Generation Energy Networks Cymru Ltd

Barstow & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Green Generation Energy Networks Cymru Ltd [2026] EWHC 417 (Admin) (20 January 2026)

The High Court granted permission for judicial review in part over land-entry survey powers, finding arguable public law issues on environmental duties and generic notices.

• Judicial review
• Compulsory purchase
• Public authority powers
• Environmental obligations
• Biodiversity
• Statutory interpretation

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London International Exhibition Centre Plc v Allianz Insurance Plc & Ors

The causation requirement for 'at the premises' disease/hybrid clauses is satisfied if government action was taken in response to cases of COVID-19 which included at least one at the premises, regardless of whether the authority knew of the specific occurrence. The insured peril does not require knowledge or reporting of the occurrence at the premises. Cover does not extend to pre-notifiability occurrences. 'Medical Officer of Health' and 'Public Authority' are not limited to local authorities. In the Mayfair policy, 'suffered' means 'occurred or sustained', not 'manifested'.

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• Business interruption insurance
• Causation
• Policy interpretation
• Covid-19 pandemic
• Notifiable diseases
• Public authority powers

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London International Exhibition Centre Plc v Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Plc & Ors

The Supreme Court's concurrent causation analysis applies to 'at the premises' disease cover: it is sufficient for the policyholder to prove that government action causing business interruption was in response to cases of COVID-19 including at least one at the premises, regardless of whether the action was specifically targeted at that premises or whether 'but for' causation is established. Occurrences of COVID-19 prior to its designation as a notifiable disease are not covered. The term 'Medical Officer of Health of/for the Public Authority' includes national Chief Medical Officers. The Mayf…

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• Business interruption insurance
• Causation in insurance
• Covid-19 pandemic claims
• Policy interpretation
• Notifiable diseases
• Public authority powers

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School Facility Management Ltd & Ors v Governing Body of Christ The King College

School Facility Management Ltd & Ors v Governing Body of Christ The King College [2021] EWCA Civ 1053 (12 July 2021)

The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal about restitution after an ultra vires contract. It held earlier payments could not be credited against later use once change of position was applied.

• Unjust enrichment
• Ultra vires contracts
• Change of position defence
• Counter-restitution
• Finance leases
• Public authority powers

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Hillingdon Borough Council v Persons Unknown & Ors

The High Court granted Hillingdon Borough Council a limited interim injunction against protest camp activities on its land near HS2 works, but not lawful protest generally.

• Interim injunctions
• Trespass
• Nuisance
• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of assembly
• Public authority powers

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Hillingdon Borough Council v Persons Unknown & Ors

Hillingdon Borough Council v Persons Unknown & Ors [2020] EWHC 2153 (QB) (13 July 2020)

The High Court granted Hillingdon an interim injunction limiting overnight camping and specified protest tactics on council land near HS2 works.

• Trespass
• Nuisance
• Interim injunctions
• Freedom of expression
• Freedom of assembly
• Protest law

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Cambridge City Council v Traditional Cambridge Tours Ltd & Ors

The High Court granted Cambridge City Council an interim injunction restraining unauthorised commercial punting from council land at several River Cam locations.

• Trespass
• Injunctions
• Highways
• Byelaws
• Public authority powers
• Local-authority-powers

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Cambridge City Council v Traditional Cambridge Tours Ltd & Ors

Cambridge City Council v Traditional Cambridge Tours Ltd & Ors [2018] EWHC 1304 (QB) (25 May 2018)

The High Court granted Cambridge City Council an interim injunction to stop unauthorised commercial punting from its land, holding the activity amounted to trespass.

• Trespass
• Interim injunctions
• Public authority powers
• Highways law
• Byelaws enforcement
• Interim-injunctions

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Dean v The Secretary of State for Business, Energy And Industrial Strategy

Dean v The Secretary of State for Business, Energy And Industrial Strategy [2017] EWHC 1998 (Admin) (14 August 2017)

The High Court held that a petroleum licence under the Petroleum Act 1998 could lawfully be varied by deed, and dismissed the claimant's judicial review.

• Ultra vires
• Statutory licensing
• Contractual variation
• Petroleum licensing
• Judicial review
• Public authority powers

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London Borough of Southwark & Anor v Transport for London

The Court of Appeal held that the transfer of GLA roads to Transport for London vested only the highway surface and necessary sub-soil, not the entire freehold.

• Statutory interpretation
• Vesting of highways
• Transfer of property
• Public authority powers
• Statutory-interpretation
• Highway-law

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