Documents
Legal Topic Note 59 : The Rights of Local Councils to be notified of Planning Applications and Decisions revised August 2016
This LTN explains the relationship between the local planning authority and a local council in terms of consultation on planning applications and notification of planning decisions.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 58 : Appealing Planning Decisions revised April 2015
This LTN outlines the planning appeal process and the rights of local councils.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 57 : Easements over Common Land and Village Greens revised November 2020
This LTN considers the statutory and common law relating to the use of motor vehicles and rights of way including the complexities of easements over common land and village greens.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 56 : The Provision of Play and Sports Equipment on Village Greens revised August 2015
This LTN outlines the law relating to the provision of facilities on village greens.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 55 : Adverse Possession Claims revised October 2016
This LTN gives guidance on claiming possession of ownerless land.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 53 : Protection of Common Land revised April 2011
This LTN defines the term common land and explains about ownership and the rights of individuals particularly in relation to use as pasture.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 52 : Temporary Use of Allotment Land revised November 2012
This LTN covers the temporary letting of an allotment site for an alternative use where demand for allotments has diminished (whilst still allowing the land to return to use as an allotment site once demand increases).
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 51 : Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 revised November 2007
This LTN explains the circumstances in which the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 can be used instead of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 50 : The Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 revised October 2010
This LTN explains the landlord and tenant relationship in agricultural tenancies including an explanation of the definitions and terms used in The Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995. It explains tenants rights, rent reviews and notices to quit.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 49 : Business Tenancies revised October 2010
This LTN covers the legislation around business tenancies and the right to a new tenancy.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 48 : The Difference between Leases and Licences revised October 2010
This LTN clarifies the difference between a lease and a licence. The contractual arrangement which both afford and how they affect land ownership is explained.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 47 : Easements revised April 2011
This LTN describes what easements are and how they are created, with particular emphasis on implications for local councils. The document explains rights of way by foot and vehicle.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 46 : Registered Land revised August 2014
This LTN explains the difference between registered and unregistered land and includes contact information for the land registry.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 45A : Disposal of Charity Land by Local Councils Acting as Charity Trustees revised December 2016
This LTN covers the particular rules relating to the disposal of charity land by councils that are also charity trustees. See LTN 45 for the general rules relating to the disposal of non charity land.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 45 : Disposal and Appropriation of Land by Local Councils revised December 2016
This LTN outlines the general rules covering the appropriation and disposal of land including open spaces, playing fields and allotment sites. See LTN45A for information relating to the disposal of charity land.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 44 : Trespass to Land revised October 2016
This LTN explains the legal consequences of wrongful entry to land and buildings.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 43 : Private Access to Council Land revised April 2011
This LTN gives guidance to councils in relation to licences for access from private gardens onto council owned land.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 42 : Occupiers Liability revised January 2017
This LTN outlines a local council's legal obligations to visitors, contractors and trespassers at council owned land and buildings under the Occupiers Liability Acts 1957 & 1984.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 41 : The Responsibilities of Councils as Landowners revised June 2016
This LTN gives guidance to councils who occupy land. It covers duty of care, occupiers liability and covenants.
Fri, 03 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 39: Copyright revised January 2023
This LTN gives an overview of copyright, the use of copyrighted materials and guidance on breach of copyright.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 38: Data Protection revised November 2018
This LTN explains a local councils obligations in relation to the protection of an individual's personal data.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 37: Freedom of Information revised April 2021
This LTN covers legislation relating to Freedom of Information (FOI) and the requirement for a local council to have a publication scheme. It also advises where exemptions are applicable, the role of the Information Commissioner and how FOI relates to Data Protection.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 36: Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 revised January 2017
This LTN refers to the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 (business contracts) and the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (consumer contracts) and explains negligence within contract law.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 35: Contracts revised February 2017
This LTN describes how contracts are created, different types of contractual obligations, and the consequences of breaching them.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 34: Retirement Gratuities revised May 2012
This LTN covers retirement gratuities.The majority of local councils cannot now pay a gratuity but this document explains the contractual circumstance in which a council may be required to pay a retirement gratuity.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 33: Councillors' Allowances revised August 2019
This LTN covers the chairman's allowance and the different types of allowances that can be paid to councillors.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 32 : Local Councils and VAT revised January 2011
This LTN outlines the basics of VAT and explains business and non-business activities, exempt supplies, reclaiming VAT and VAT as it applies to land and buildings. Useful links to VAT notices relevant to local councils are included.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 30: Defamation revised October 2020
This LTN covers the legislation relating to defamation and explains the terms slander and libel as well as insurance requirements.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 29: Straying Animals revised November 2007
This LTN outlines the liability of owners in terms of straying animals on highways and common land and refers local councils to the relevant legislation.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020
Legal Topic Note 28: Basic Charity Law updated February 2022
This LTN explains basic charity law as it applies to local councils. It explains sole trustees, joint trustees and custodian trustees and the role of the charity commission.
Thu, 02 Jan 2020