David Renton specialises in employment, housing and discrimination law. He acts for employees in cases spanning all aspects of employment law including freedom of speech, for tenants in cases involving discrimination, and for a range of clients in civil discrimination proceedings. He has appeared in courts including the Court of Appeal and the European Court of Human Rights.
Employment and Discrimination Law
Overview
David represents claimants in all strands of discrimination claim at the Tribunal, EAT, Court of Appeal and ECHR, including in lengthy, complex and high value cases. His cases have been at the cutting edge of trade union law, anti-union discrimination, and the protection of free speech.
His clients have included blacklisted construction workers, political activists, and leading figures within the Labour Party and the trade union movement.
Notable Cases
Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.
London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham v Keable, UKEAT0333/19
David represented the Appellant at the EAT in a case concerning a dismissal for political speech outside work in relation to events in Israel and Palestine. The case was covered by the Guardian.
Ssekisonge v Barts Health NHS Trust [2017] EAT 0133/16
David represented the Appellant at the EAT in a case concerning whether an employer can legitimately dismiss an employee after receiving equivocal guidance from the Home Office.
Smith v United Kingdom, ECHR application no. 54357/15 [2017]
The ECHR considered whether a blacklisted construction worker who had no protection in UK employment law (IRLR [2015] 467) and who had succeeded in a breach of contract case in the High Court had been deprived of an effective domestic remedy after his employed had shared information about him illicitly with other construction businesses. The case was covered by the Guardian and Mirror.
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Housing Law
Overview
David acts for tenants in possession hearings, principally in cases where possession is defended on Equality Act or public law grounds.
David is also occasionally instructed in disrepair cases in the county court and in homelessness appeals under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996. He is the author of the main LAG practitioners’ guide ‘Discrimination in Housing Law’.
Notable Cases
Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.
Bromford Housing Association Ltd v Nightingale & Anor, Housing Law Week, 14 October 2020
David represented a family with two disabled children facing multiple allegations of ASB, in a hearing concerning whether evidence can be added after the initial deadline for disclosure.
Woldeab v London Borough of Southwark, Legal Action, November 2011
Successful challenge of finding that homeless person was not vulnerable where LA’s own medical officer had advised further enquiries.
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Discrimination
Overview
David represents claimants in county court and High Court discrimination claims, especially those concerning discrimination on the prohibited grounds of religion or belief.
Notable Cases
University of Birmingham v Persons Unknown & Anor [2024] EWHC 1529
David represented a student occupier from the summer 2024 protests against the Israel-Gaza war, in an Equality Act defence to possession proceedings.
McCafferty v Miah, Bow County Court, September 2016
Damages of £6,750 for discriminatory refusal to serve autistic child with service dog. This case was reported on by the Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Irish Post.
Sun Street Properties Ltd v Persons Unknown [2011] EWCA Civ 1672
David represented one of the two main camps (“the Bank of Ideas”) set up by the Occupy Movement in London. They were unsuccessful before the High Court, then granted permission to appeal by the Court of Appeal, and eventually settled the case without an appeal hearing.
