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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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. […]
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.
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 […]
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.
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.
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 […]
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.
Following a four-week inquest, a jury has decided that Robert Edwards died as a result of inadequate care provided by officers in Bury St Edmunds police station, and in a healthcare assessment provided by a G4S contractor.
The Crime Team at Garden Court Chambers has announced today that they will not be attending any criminal court on the morning of Monday 6 January 2014 in protest against attacks by the Ministry of Justice on legal aid and access to justice.
Immigration Law News The Joint Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights has warned that the new Immigration Bill’s proposed new appeal rights have serious implications for access for justice. To read more, click here. The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has published his Annual Report for 2012/13. For more information, click here. The Home […]
