The Environment Agency has published guidance on the surrender of non-nuclear radioactive substances activity permits, covering both full and partial surrender. It explains the evidence operators must provide to show radioactive materials and waste have been removed and that necessary measures have been taken to avoid pollution risk before surrender is accepted.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on developing and maintaining a radioactive waste management plan for holders of radioactive substances activity permits dealing with waste from unsealed sources. The guidance sets out expectations for lifecycle planning, use of best available techniques, waste characterisation, record-keeping and maintaining control of radioactive waste until permits are surrendered.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on when non-nuclear radioactive substances activities require an environmental permit, how permits are applied for, and how they can be varied, transferred or surrendered. It explains the distinction between sealed and unsealed sources, and notes that some activities may be out of scope or exempt under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on planning for the decommissioning of sites permitted for radioactive substances activities. It sets out a lifetime-planning approach, with decommissioning plans expected to develop over time and be proportionate to the scale, complexity and hazard of the site.
An Employment Tribunal in Sheffield dismissed an unfair dismissal claim brought by a former property manager at a Selby lettings agency, finding that she had resigned rather than been dismissed. The case also involved allegations of improper withdrawals from the company account and tenants being instructed to pay rent into a personal bank account, with a criminal investigation reported to be under way.
The Environment Agency has published guidance on the safe use, storage and disposal of sheep dip to reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. It sets out competency, permitting, siting and storage requirements, and warns that misuse can contaminate drinking water sources and lead to prosecution.
Street Group has updated its platform to embed the government’s official Form 4A into the rent review workflow, allowing letting agents to generate, sign and serve rent increase notices for periodic tenancies within one system. The change is intended to reduce manual administration and create a clearer audit trail for compliance purposes.
A landlord has been fined after failing to remove waste from three rental properties in Blackburn with Darwen, despite repeated advice, warnings and formal notices from the council. The accumulated rubbish was reported to have attracted vermin and caused nuisance to neighbours, leading to prosecution and a court order for more than £4,500 in fines, costs and surcharge.
The Environment Agency has updated its Part B1 standard rules permit application form and related guidance for environmental permitting. The changes include new and revised standard rules, updated site plan and technical competence requirements, and structural changes to the form and navigation.
The article argues that achieving legal sector quality accreditations such as Lexcel, CQS and WIQS is significantly easier when firms receive expert support rather than attempting the process alone. It emphasises that the real value of accreditation lies not only in passing assessment, but in building sustainable risk management, supervision and quality systems into day-to-day practice.
The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal reprimanded a solicitor after finding he failed to provide adequate information, client care arrangements and advice in a property transfer involving a client’s home. The tribunal accepted the misconduct arose from a single transaction and dismissed allegations of manifest incompetence, but still imposed a reprimand and £6,000 costs.
The article argues that compliance in law firms should be treated as a strategic function rather than a purely regulatory burden. It highlights the growing importance of embedding compliance into firm culture, with particular focus on ethics, anti-money laundering controls and the risks and opportunities created by technology and AI.
