News The coalition government is proposing to introduce compulsory English language tests from autumn 2010 for non-EU migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner. They will be compulsory for people applying from within the UK as well as visa applicants from overseas.Click here to read more.For criticism of […]
A jury hearing evidence at Chelmsford Coroners Court, Essex, returned a verdict on 1 June 2010 highlighting serious failings by HMP Chelmsford and Essex Social Services which contributed to the death of 18-year-old Abdullah Hagar Idris (also known as Joke
Court of Appeal Breach of contract Edwards v Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust [2010] EWCA Civ 571A person who suffers damage as a result of findings of personal or professional misconduct leading to dismissal and loss of professional status that were made in disciplinary proceedings conducted in breach of contract, but which would not […]
The Latest Housing Law News New Housing Laws: the Queen’s Speech included the statement that "A Bill will be introduced to devolve greater powers to councils and neighbourhoods and give local communities control over housing and planning decisions." That Bill is the Decentralisation and Localism Bill. It will: (1) lead to abolition of Home Improvement […]
The Association of Sri Lankan Lawyers in the UK organised a seminar on the topic of "Access to the Legal Profession - The Impact of Paid Pupillage" prior to its annual general meeting at Garden Court Chambers on 22 May 2010.
News Refugee and Migrant Justice (formerly the Refugee Legal Centre) faces closure due to a shortfall in payments from the Legal Services Commission, linked to the length of time it takes for payments to be made. A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "If RMJ fails, we accept that there will be some disruption while their […]
Garden Court is delighted to welcome Sadat Sayeed back to Chambers after a 12-month sabbatical. Sadat re-joins the Immigration team, and will be returning to his practice in immigration, asylum and nationality law. In addition, Sadat will also be resuming
Court of Appeal National security Home Office v Tariq [2010] EWCA Civ 462The procedure for national security cases prescribed in the Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedure 2004 and the Employment Tribunals (National Security) Rules of Procedure 2004 which allows closed material is not in breach of EU law or Article 6 ECHR. However Secretary of […]
News The new governing Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition has published its agreed proposals on immigration and asylum. They include: Annual limit on number of non-EU economic migrants End to detention of children for immigration purposes Create border police force as part of Serious Organised Crime Agency New measures to minimise abuse of student visas Citizens from […]
The Latest Housing Law News Government Housing Policy: last week the new UK Government published its full programme – The coalition: our programme for government. For a copy, click here. Housing measures and legal aid commitments announced include: (1) "we will provide more protection against aggressive bailiffs and unreasonable charging orders, ensure that courts have […]
Maya Sikand, a barrister at Garden Court Chambers acted for the family of the deceased last week at an inquest that has called for a review of safety procedures on the London Underground.
Stephen Cottle is delighted to have been shortlisted for the prestigious Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards.
The annual awards are organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG). LAPG director Carol Storer said: "Despite the pressures on the
The Association of Sri Lankan Lawyers is holding a meeting to discuss the impact of paid pupilages on the number of pupilages available and applicants who have become disadvantaged in the process.
Garden Court Chambers participated in the largest and most successful London Legal Walk to date. The event is organised annually to raise money for the London Legal Support Trust, which supports law centres across London that provide valuable advice and r
The Latest Housing Law News Housing Policy: the new Housing Minister in the UK Government is Grant Shapps MP. He reports to the new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (CLG) – Eric Pickles MP. The other ministerial appointments in the CLG team are: Minister of State – Greg Clark MP; Parliamentary Under […]
News Following the change of government, the UK Border Agency website has removed all information about its strategies and aims under the previous government along with all news stories published before April 2010. See the UKBA website. The new Home Secretary, Teresa May, has announced ID cards for foreign nationals will be scrapped and a […]
A presentation and reception was held on 11 May to launch the Garden Court panel of mediators.
In addition to talks from members of the panel there was a key note address from Sir Henry Brooke, the retired Lord Justice of Appeal, who has agreed to join o
News A Zimbabwean court has acquitted a leading politician Roy Bennett, a senior member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s cabinet, on charges of plotting to overthrow Mugabe. Read more… The Sunday Times reports that Home Office "surrenders to migrants" in an article dated 25th April 2010. It reported that the government fails to send Home […]
The Latest Housing Law News Social housing complaints: tenants of social housing in England can complain about their landlords’ services either to the Local Government Ombudsmen (council housing) or the Housing Ombudsman (most other social housing). The two Ombudsman services have recently agreed a protocol to improve joint working between them. For more details, click […]
Court of Appeal Employment status Launahurst Ltd v Larner [2010] EWCA Civ 334The Employment Tribunal had erred in finding that the contract between the parties was a sham and in disregarding its provisions. On the evidence the only reasonable conclusion was that the Claimant was a sub-contractor, not an employee.For the full judgement, click here. […]
