In a landmark judgment which the UK government has already aired its "profound disagreement" with, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that whole-life prison sentences without review are inhuman and degrading. Pete Weatherby
A jury has today delivered a verdict of unlawful killing in the inquest into the death of Jimmy Mubenga. Mr Mubenga died of positional asphyxia in October 2010 in the custody of G4S security guards while being deported from the UK to Angola. His family we
Alex Offer has successfully obtained a quashing order in respect of a police decision to disclose historic abuse allegations against a teacher who had applied for an enhanced criminal record certificate.
R (RK) v Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Poli
Housing Law News Housing cases and legal aid: the most recent legal aid statistics show that since 2007/8 the number of providers of civil legal aid services has fallen by 30%. Over the same period, the volume of housing cases dealt with on legal aid fell by 16%. By 2012/13 there were only 509 suppliers […]
Cases Rrapaj & Ors v Director of Legal Aid Casework & Anor [2013] EWHC 1837 (Admin)2 July 2013For the purpose of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, challenges to a refusal to treat further representations as a fresh asylum claim, and challenges to certificated decisions, […]
Azelle Rodney was shot dead by a Metropolitan Police officer on 30 April 2005. Today, in a historic report, Sir Christopher Holland, the Chairman of the Azelle Rodney Inquiry, found that the death of Azelle Rodney was unlawful.
The jury at the inquest into the death of reggae artist David Emmanuel, also known as Smiley Culture, have recorded a verdict of suicide. Mr Emmanuel died of a stab wound to the heart following a Metropolitan Police raid on his home in March 2011.
The Court of Appeal today gave judgment in an important case about the impact of human rights principles on possession claims brought by private landowners against trespassers.
A jury at the inquest into the death of Nicholas Wheller at HMYOI Aylesbury has found that neglect contributed to his death. His family was represented by Kirsten Heaven.
Housing Law News Housing cases and judicial review: changes take effect today (1 July 2013) to the procedures for bringing judicial review claims in the Administrative Court. For the amendments to the procedure rules, click here. For the amendments to the Pre-Action protocol for judicial review (and the modified version), click here. For the amended […]
News For new Home Office forms for applications made on or after 1 July 2013 click here. Cases Secretary of State for the Home Department v Raju & Others [2013] EWCA Civ 75425 June 2013Allowing the SSHD’s appeal from the UT, the CA held that an application is made when para 34G of the Rules […]
Following a five-day inquest, a coroner sitting at Preston has found that confused orders and failures in communication meant that opportunities were missed to save the life of a young soldier.
Garden Court Chambers is pleased to announce that its membership of the EU's Fundamental Rights Platform (FRP) has been renewed for a second term of three years. Garden Court remains the only law practice in the UK with FRP membership.
After a complex five-month, 10-handed cut throat murder and conspiracy trial at the Old Bailey, Icah Peart QC, Brenda Campbell and Dafna Spiro have secured acquittals for their clients.
Employment News Employment Law reform: timetable publishedThe government has published a detailed calendar setting out when further employment law changes are likely to take effect, including the following: 25 June 2013: EAT hearings by judge alone, no qualifying period for unfair dismissal where it relates to employee’s political opinion/affiliation, introduction of ‘public interest’ requirement for […]
****THIS THURSDAY (27 JUNE): Jan Luba QC will be chairing and presenting (with two solicitors) an all-day conference in London on drafting and revising social housing tenancy agreements. For details, click here. **** Housing Law News Rent and mortgage default: on 22 June 2013 the Chartered Institute of Housing released the results of an IPSOS […]
News New Immigration Rules coming into force 1 July 2013. For a copy click here A film about the treatment of refugees and migrants in Greece. For more information about Into the Fire click here. It is being suggested by the Home Office representatives appearing before Tribunals in bail applications that there will be no […]
The Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal has today allowed appeals against conviction by victims of child trafficking.
Housing Law News Homelessness: on 6 June 2013 the latest statistics on statutory homelessness in England were released. They cover January to March 2013 during which 13,230 applicants were accepted as owed the main homelessness duty. In the 2012/13 financial year, there were 53,540 acceptances. This is an increase of 6% from 50,290 in 2011/12. […]
News UNHCR published their new report Beyond Proof on credibility in refugee status determination, in which they emphasise the importance of the "benefit of the doubt" principle and the shared duty on asylum seekers and decision makers to determine the true facts of the case. Click here to read the report. HJT Training will henceforth […]
