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25 September 2026
Issue: 8178 / Categories: Legal News , Civil way , Procedure & practice
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NLJ this week: Rules, risks & red tape

New planning fee rises, wider trade union access rights and a service-by-email trap feature in Stephen Gold’s latest Civil Way

Writing in NLJ this week, Stephen Gold, NLJ columnist, says English planning applicants should lodge promptly before fees rise in December, with local authorities able to set cost-reflective charges and a major section 73 application reaching £3,150.

Elsewhere, Coal Pension Properties v Mace Living shows why an old N244 form did not authorise service of a claim form by email: PD 6A requires an express check on electronic-service limits. The High Court refused retrospective validation.

Gold also highlights the 30 October start of qualifying unions’ physical and digital workplace-access regime, enforced through the Central Arbitration Committee, and new transparency duties for housing associations.

He ends with a warning to expert witnesses: adverse findings fairly put in cross-examination give them no general right of appeal.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

Anthony Collins—20 promotions

20 promotions mark major people investment at national law firm, Anthony Collins

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley—Elaine Whiteford

Sidley adds competition litigator Elaine Whiteford in London

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys—Claudina D’Costa

Charles Russell Speechlys welcomes Claudina D’Costa as Director of Client Development Marketing

NEWS
The 25th Pro Bono Week begins today until 6 November, with events hosted by law firms, chambers, law schools and charities across the UK
Aggressive sales tactics can add up to fraudulent trading even without proof of a particular deception or financial loss
Judges risk weakening their own independence by staying silent over government reforms, a leading public lawyer argues
A discount on damages does not automatically mean an equivalent haircut for legal costs in military deafness claims
Police powers targeting concealed identities at protests come with procedural conditions that could determine whether prosecutions succeed
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