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Clinical decisions – available options or best interests?
In a judgment handed down on 3rd March, Townsend v Epsom & St Helier NHS Trust [2026] EWCA Civ 195, the Court of Appeal considered whether or not a ‘clinical decision’ not to continue life sustaining medical treatment was a decision subject to best interests considerations (and thus also subject to the ‘supervision’ of the Court of Protection).
Hempsons podcast: Consent and capacity for children and young people – 19 November 2025
A clear guide to consent and capacity for children and young people, covering Gillick competence, parental responsibility, and the Mental Capacity Act.
Section 25 notices and lease renewals – what GP practices need to know
Rachel Croft and Stephanie Trompeter, real estate litigation specialists at Hempsons, offer practical advice for GP practices in relation to notices served under the Landlord and Tenant Act.
How to manage repairs and reduce your dilapidations liability: a practical guide for charities and social enterprises
Rachel Croft and Stephanie Trompeter, real estate dispute resolution specialists at Hempsons, offer practical advice for charities and social enterprises in relation to repair and dilapidations liabilities under their leases.
The Mental Health Act 2025 & the NHS 10 Year Plan
The Mental Health Act 2025 represents the most significant reform of mental health legislation since 1983. The Act was passed in late 2025 against a background of a much changed societal and health landscape, as compared to its predecessor Act.
New DHSC guidance on acquiring estate from NHS Property Services Limited
The Department of Health and Social Care has published new guidance (Requesting transfers of NHS property - GOV.UK) under which NHS trusts can seek to acquire property owned by NHS Property Services Ltd (NHSPS).
Multi-Neighbourhood Provider Contracting Clarification
At the end of January NHS England published a document which provides an important update related to how Multi-Neighbourhood Providers (MNP) will be contracted from as early as April 2026. This does not provide clarity in relation to Single Neighbourhood Providers (SNPs) but it is a significant piece in the puzzle and indicates that progress is likely to accelerate as the end of the financial year approaches.
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust v Sodola (Debarred)
In London Ambulance Service NHS Trust v Sodola (Debarred), the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) held that the Employment Tribunal (ET) was wrong to infer that the Trust’s delay in providing written feedback about why a black employee had not been promoted, was discrimination on the grounds of race.
Changes from the Mental Health Act 2025 coming in February 2026
The Mental Health Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025 amending the 1983 Act. A few administrative provisions are already in force and the first substantive changes will come in on 18 February 2026. This article will focus on those imminent changes.
The Mental Health Act 2025 – the current position at a glance
The Mental Health Act 2025 has now been passed into law, amending legislation, and effectively changes key provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is here: what does it mean for employers?
On 18th December 2025, the Employment Rights Bill received Royal Assent becoming the Employment Rights Act 2025. After much deliberation between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the legislation has now been agreed in its final form, bringing with it the greatest changes to employment law in over a decade.
New Procurement Act Obligations for 2026: Are You Compliant?
The Procurement Act 2023 (Commencement No. 4) Regulations 2025 has been in force since the 1 January 2026 and bring into force the remaining publications obligations under the Procurement Act 2023 (relating to the payments compliance notice, significant payment notice and contract performance notice). Where and when publication of each notice becomes obligatory is as follows:
Be sure your contract delivers what you want
Lawyers report a rise in cases where GP clients are not fully up to speed about fundamental aspects of contracts. Justin Cumberlege and Sophie Birkbeck run through the basics of making one - and what to consider when subcontracting.
Webinar: Social care providers and inquests
oin Hempsons partners Liz Stokes and Adam Smith for an insightful webinar exploring the complexities of inquests and their impact on social care providers.