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Garden Court Chambers | Thursday 30 January 2014

Under what circumstances can children lawfully be detained by the police? Shu Shin Luh explains.

Shu Shin Luh, in an interview with LexisNexis, explores the legislative requirements and case law regarding the detention of children by the police.

Administrative and Public Law | Thursday 30 January 2014

Court of Appeal rules immigration detention of mentally ill woman unlawful

The Court of Appeal in a test case on Tuesday overturned a decision of the Administrative Court in relation to Home Office policy of detaining those subject to immigration control with a serious mental illness.

Stephanie Harrison KC

Garden Court Chambers | Wednesday 29 January 2014

Successful outcomes in linked disrepair claims demonstrate the importance of preserving Legal Aid for housing cases

Tim Baldwin and Connor Johnston have successfully represented the claimant in two linked housing disrepair cases involving substantial damages. Of concern is that cases like this now probably lie outside the scope of legal aid.

Connor JohnstonTim Baldwin

Garden Court Chambers | Tuesday 28 January 2014

Housing Law Bulletin – Issue 341 – 28 January 2014

Housing Law News Defending possession claims: yesterday (27 January 2014) the legal aid rules were changed so that legal aid is no longer available to defend residential possession claims which only have ‘borderline’ prospects of success. For the regulations making that change, click here. For the explanatory memorandum, click here. The regulations were approved despite […]

Garden Court Chambers | Tuesday 28 January 2014

Employment Law Bulletin – Issue 161 – 28 January 2014

Employment Law News 98 South-West workers on industry blacklist Blacklisted engineer Dave Smith is next month speaking at the South West TUC’s health and safety conference in Exeter. Dave Smith lost his job after leading a series of on-site health and safety campaigns at work, earning him the reputation as a trouble-maker in the eyes […]

Garden Court Chambers | Monday 27 January 2014

Immigration Law Bulletin – Issue 356 – 27 January 2014

Immigration Law Cases Secretary of State for the Home Department v Rodriguez [2014] EWCA Civ 220 January 2014A letter of the 19 May 2011 from the UKBA to the Joint Education Task Force Members, which stated that a new practice whereby all applicants would be notified of the absence of mandatory evidence and would be […]

Garden Court Chambers | Friday 24 January 2014

Central London County Court dismisses claim for possession against profoundly deaf gay man who cannot speak

The Central London County Court has dismissed a claim for possession against a profoundly deaf gay man who cannot speak. The judge called for more flexible criteria when considering lesbian or gay relationships. John Beckley represented the defendant.

Garden Court Chambers | Thursday 23 January 2014

High Court rules grandmother entitled to fostering allowance after local authority placed granddaughter in her care

The High Court has held that a young girl, removed from her parents' care and put in the care of her grandmother, was placed there pursuant to the local authority's duty under section 20, Children Act 1989. Shu Shin Luh acted for the claimant.

Garden Court Chambers | Tuesday 21 January 2014

‘The Deprivation of Citizenship in the United Kingdom: History, Practice, Law and Ethics’ Conference

Adrian Berry and Amanda Weston are due to speak at this conference on the deprivation of citizenship in the UK, which will take place on Friday 14 February 2014.

Amanda Weston KCAdrian Berry KC

Garden Court Chambers | Tuesday 21 January 2014

Garden Court Chambers’ submissions in response to the Consultation on the Housing (Wales) Bill

The Housing Team has published its submissions in response to the Consultation on the Housing (Wales) Bill, which were sent to the Welsh Government on Friday.

Garden Court Chambers | Monday 20 January 2014

Housing Law Bulletin – Issue 340 – 20 January 2014

Housing Law News Social housing rent arrears: following the conclusion of a consultation exercise, the Protection from Eviction (Bedroom Tax) (Scotland) Bill has been put before Scottish Parliament. It would seek to prevent possession for rent arrears caused by the impact of the ‘bedroom tax’. For a summary of the consultation responses, click here. For […]

Garden Court Chambers | Monday 20 January 2014

Immigration Law Bulletin – Issue 355 – 20 January 2014

Immigration Law News The ‘Dublin III’ Regulations (Regulation (EU) No. 604/2013) came into force on 1 January 2014. To read more, click here. The Immigration (European Economic Area) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (SI.No.3032/2013), which amends the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006, substantially came into force on 1 January 2014. The Amendment Regulations inter […]

Garden Court Chambers | Thursday 16 January 2014

Leslie Thomas highlighted as a leading campaigner in The Lawyer’s Hot 100 list

Leslie Thomas has been named as a leading campaigner in The Lawyer magazine’s Hot 100 list. Leslie is recognised for the work he does regarding deaths in custody and at the hands of the police.

Leslie Thomas KC

Garden Court Chambers | Tuesday 14 January 2014

Employment Law Bulletin – Issue 160 – 14 January 2014

Employment Law News Low-paid government workers go to law over pay freeze About 250 workers in the House of Commons will launch legal action this month in an attempt to show that the 2011 decision by Chancellor George Osborne to scrap their automatic annual pay increases, amounted to a breach of their contracts of employment. […]

Garden Court Chambers | Monday 13 January 2014

Eleven anti-fracking protestors acquitted of all charges

Eleven protestors have been acquitted of all charges over their roles in the Balcombe anti-fracking protests of last summer. The defendants were represented by Shahida Begum and Stephen Knight of Garden Court Chambers.

Shahida Begum

Garden Court Chambers | Monday 13 January 2014

Housing Law Bulletin – Issue 339 – 13 January 2014

Housing Law News Housing & anti-social behaviour: on 8 January 2014 the House of Lords carried an amendment to Clause 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour Bill which will draw a distinction between a lower threshold for action on anti-social behaviour in the housing context and a higher threshold for intervention in other contexts. To read […]

Garden Court Chambers | Friday 10 January 2014

Jury Concludes Mark Duggan Lawfully Killed

On 8 January 2014, the jury at the inquest into the death of Mark Duggan, who was shot by police in August 2011, reached its conclusion. Leslie Thomas represented the loved ones of Mr Duggan.

Leslie Thomas KC

Garden Court Chambers | Monday 6 January 2014

Why barristers walked out of court today

Today, for the first time in 800 years, lawyers publicly protested and staged a half-day walkout. Why? The short answer is that barristers walked out of court this morning to prevent the Government walking all over public justice.

Dexter Dias KC

Garden Court Chambers | Monday 6 January 2014

Housing Law Bulletin – Issue 338 – 6 January 2014

Housing Law News Social housing allocation: on 31 December 2013 the UK Government issued a new supplementary set of statutory guidance for councils in England on social housing allocations and lettings. It suggests greater emphasis on priority for local applicants and members of the armed forces who need "and deserve" social housing. It encourages councils […]

Garden Court Chambers | Thursday 2 January 2014

Coroner criticises hospital after a 14-month-old baby died after accidently swallowing a battery

Following an inquest at Leicester Coroner’s Court, the coroner has been critical of the care that the deceased received in hospital prior to his death. Terry McGuinness represented the boy’s family.

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