Issue: Vol 160, Issue 7411 & 7412

R (on the application of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and another) v Oxfordshire County Council [2010] EWHC 530 (Admin), [2010] All ER (D) 249 (Mar)

Connor v Surrey County Council [2010] EWCA Civ 286, [2010] All ER (D) 233 (Mar)

R (on the application of JM) v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council and another; R (on the application of Hertfordshire County Council) v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council [2010] EWHC 562 (Admin), [2010] All ER (D) 218 (Mar)

R (on the application of Hillingdon London Borough Council and others) v Secretary of State for Transport (Transport for London, interested party) [2010] EWHC 626 (Admin), [2010] All ER (D) 253 (Mar)

So far the public debate about the legality of the Iraq war has been dominated by a single issue: did the lack of a further UN Security Council resolution make it illegal?

I was infected with the litigation “bug” well over 40 years ago and have watched in fascination from both sides of the Bench as advocacy styles have changed. Yet one skill endures—the art of persuasion.

Charles Pigott illustrates the potential reach of the test for vicarious liability

David Burrows unravels the complexities of solicitors’ retainer contracts

The government should heed advice to reduce terrorism detention, Ali Naseem Bajwa & Beth O’Reilly

An appropriate briefing is key to untangling release fee damages, says Andrew Francis