https://s1-uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/WLN-PLCUK-SC_2605.1.2002/productViews/plcuk/Legal updateshttps://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.comInfrastructurehttps://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic6eb096660cd11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic6eb096660cd11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn Essendi UK Hotels 2 Ltd v London Property Company Ltd [2026] EWHC 1354 (TCC), the High Court held that a landlord's covenant to put and keep a hotel building in good and substantial condition required the removal and replacement of category 3 ACM cladding panels, despite there being no physical deterioration. The landlord had also breached the legal obligations covenant in the lease by not complying with its obligations under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (SI 2005/1541).https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ic6eb096660cd11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If54a8bfa601c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If54a8bfa601c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has published two new pieces of guidance aimed at helping those going through the building control process for a higher-risk building (HRB).https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If54a8bfa601c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If3ae250c5e6c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If3ae250c5e6c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published a set of biodiversity gain statements for biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), on 2 June 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If3ae250c5e6c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iee949ea05e8a11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iee949ea05e8a11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe draft Carbon Budget Order 2026 was laid in Parliament, on 2 June 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iee949ea05e8a11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I743408fe5b5c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I743408fe5b5c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published the government response to its consultation on a policy framework to grow the market for low carbon industrial products, focusing on steel, cement and concrete, on 28 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I743408fe5b5c11f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3f9728cb5b5311f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3f9728cb5b5311f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn Belong (Construction) Ltd v Seddon Construction Ltd [2026] EWHC 1275 (TCC), HHJ Stephen Davies, sitting as a High Court judge, held that liabilities for pre-existing breaches of obligations under a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) were not extinguished by the parties' subsequent entry into a building contract. The judge declared that the adjudicator's contrary interpretation was wrong.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I3f9728cb5b5311f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I9638550a5a8c11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I9638550a5a8c11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTPractical Law provides free training on how to use Practical Law more effectively. This is available in a variety of formats, including live webinars and training videos.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I9638550a5a8c11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I75236202590f11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I75236202590f11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn Into Nominee One Ltd and another v Study Group UK Ltd and another [2026] EWHC 1201 (TCC), the High Court rejected the tenant's argument that a lease of a purpose-built residential training school was frustrated by serious fire safety cladding defects or post-Grenfell legislation which made the property unfit for its intended use.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I75236202590f11f1a83fe84dcd0bf6af/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0aaa9bd0584011f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0aaa9bd0584011f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn R (Luton and District Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise) v Secretary of Transport [2026] EWCA Civ 648, the Court of Appeal refused an application for the extension of time for permission to appeal against the dismissal of a judicial review challenge of a development consent order (DCO) to expand Luton Airport.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I0aaa9bd0584011f18ebba5f5b5f97226/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ifd39f57054f111f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ifd39f57054f111f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTHM Treasury has published a policy paper, Getting Britain Building: Reforming Judicial Review for Infrastructure, which proposes the introduction of a challenge window mechanism for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) that would restrict judicial review to issues raised during a structured pre-consent window.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ifd39f57054f111f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia415b69c54be11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia415b69c54be11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published guidance on compensating for environmental harm caused by offshore wind projects and the statutory hierarchy for environmental compensatory measures, on 21 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia415b69c54be11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia415da5c54be11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia415da5c54be11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Building Safety Regulator's (BSR) Industry Competence Committee (ICC) has published guidance on complying with the building regulations competence management requirements.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia415da5c54be11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I899d330354c011f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I899d330354c011f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe government has taken a series of steps aimed at improving the building safety system. These include launching a call for evidence on the built environment professions, responding to the Building Control Independent Panel's report on commercial interests in building control, and publishing its latest quarterly progress report on its progress towards implementing the Grenfell Tower public inquiry's recommendations.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I899d330354c011f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I899d34e954c011f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I899d34e954c011f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTOn 21 May 2026, the CMA published its final report on its market study into the supply of roads and railways in the UK by the civil engineering sector.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I899d34e954c011f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I509d1527504611f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I509d1527504611f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Conservation of Habitats and Species (Offshore Wind) (Amendment etc) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/508) were made, on 8 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I509d1527504611f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I1e2c233b502f11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I1e2c233b502f11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe government has made the Building Safety (Responsible Actors Scheme and Prohibitions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/509), which make minor changes to the Responsible Actors Scheme (RAS) in England.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I1e2c233b502f11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ie96ae23b4f8711f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ie96ae23b4f8711f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTHM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) published a technical note on ecosystem services, on 14 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ie96ae23b4f8711f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If35d44d64ee811f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If35d44d64ee811f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe King's Speech was delivered on 13 May 2026, setting out the proposed legislative programme for the forthcoming parliamentary session. This update considers those items that may be of interest to construction practitioners.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/If35d44d64ee811f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I86e3263e49d911f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I86e3263e49d911f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Biodiversity Gain Site Register (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/494) were made on 5 May 2026 and come into force on 29 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I86e3263e49d911f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I86e822ca493511f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I86e822ca493511f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No 11) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/492) were made on 5 May 2026 to bring provisions relating to biodiversity net gain (BNG) in nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) into force on 7 May 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I86e822ca493511f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I705145a5490e11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I705145a5490e11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 CDTWe have published a new Practice note, Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 planning aspects: overview.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I705145a5490e11f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I87b6d6d6447a11f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I87b6d6d6447a11f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn Mace Construct Ltd v Baltic Investment Holdings Ltd [2026] EWHC 976 (TCC), Adrian Williamson KC, sitting as a deputy High Court judge in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), considered a building contractor's claim for various declarations relating to a JCT building contract.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I87b6d6d6447a11f18619811f89168d29/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ied87201e442511f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ied87201e442511f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTPractical Law provides free training on how to use Practical Law more effectively. This is available in a variety of formats, including live webinars and training videos.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ied87201e442511f1bf8d82e776af4c9e/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I6fcdc349296f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I6fcdc349296f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTWe have published episode 56 of The Construction Briefing podcast, featuring the Practical Law Construction editorial team. This episode marks the final instalment of the series.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I6fcdc349296f11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I19d0768b3d5211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I19d0768b3d5211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn New Lottery Company Limited v Gambling Commission [2026] EWHC 891 (TCC), the High Court has comprehensively dismissed a challenge to "the most financially significant procurement process in UK history", the award of the fourth National Lottery licence. The judgment offers important clarifications on the standard of proof and the date of foreseeability assessment applicable to post-award modification challenges under regulation 43 of the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/273).https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I19d0768b3d5211f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I39e261ee3c9711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I39e261ee3c9711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTIn GMC Utilities Group Ltd v Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd [2026] EWHC 885 (TCC), Simon Lofthouse KC, sitting as a deputy High Court judge in the Technology and Construction Court (TCC), considered whether parties had reached a binding agreement concerning monies to be held in escrow, and whether court proceedings commenced by one party satisfied conditions preventing payment of the escrow sum to the other.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I39e261ee3c9711f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd32c5738ed11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd32c5738ed11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published the government response to its May 2025 consultation on the implementation of biodiversity net gain (BNG) for minor, medium and brownfield development, on 15 April 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd32c5738ed11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd32df038ed11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd32df038ed11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published a consultation on a biodiversity net gain (BNG) exemption for brownfield residential development, on 15 April 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Iedd32df038ed11f1a34ac71bb9879c27/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia60291fd38ef11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia60291fd38ef11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) published the government response to its May 2025 consultation on implementing biodiversity net gain (BNG) for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs), on 15 April 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/Ia60291fd38ef11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I33dfe2ae381e11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I33dfe2ae381e11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 CDTThe draft Climate Change Act 2008 (International Aviation and International Shipping) Regulations 2026 and the draft Climate Change Act 2008 (Credit Limit) Order 2026 were laid in Parliament on 14 April 2026.https://uk.practicallaw.thomsonreuters.com/Document/I33dfe2ae381e11f1839deddf1c806e4b/View/FullText.html?transitionType=Default&contextData=%28sc.Default%29