The UK House of Lords ruling on 27 July in Phelps v London Borough of Hillingdon has important risk management implications for local education authorities and the public sector in general.

The UK House of Lords ruling on 27 July in Phelps v London Borough of Hillingdon has important risk management implications for local education authorities and the public sector in general, says the Association of Local Authority Risk Managers (ALARM).

The House of Lords ruled in favour of the claimant in the case, which involved the authority's alleged failure in its "duty of care" to recognise a pupil's dyslexia and provide appropriate education.

ALARM'S chief executive Liz Taylor said: "Underlying the decision is the risk of increased costs for authorities".