‘A Sudanese refugee has failed in a High Court case brought against the London Borough of Haringey over whether he should have been found accommodation and against the Home Office over how it gives notice of the cessation of their asylum support.’
Local Government Lawyer, 19th June 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The High Court’s decision in DXK v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2024] EWHC 579 (Admin) is a welcome addition to the growing body of case law concerning the ambit and application of asylum support duties. The Court’s findings on academic claims, standing, systemic challenges, and the public sector equality duty (“PSED”) will be of wider practical application in other public law contexts.’
Landmark Chambers, 13th May 2024
Source: www.landmarkchambers.co.uk
‘The claim arose from the encroachment of Japanese knotweed from the appellant local authority’s (“LA”) land into the respondent’s garden. The respondent had purchased his property in 2004, after the encroachment of Japanese knotweed had begun. It was held that the LA could not be blamed for the encroachment at this time. An actionable tort of private nuisance however arose in 2013, when the local authority should have become aware of the risk of damage and loss of amenity to the respondent’s land as a result of information about Japanese knotweed which became publicly available at that time. The LA was held liable in private nuisance for having failed to prevent the encroachment between 2013 to 2018 when the LA implemented a reasonable and effective treatment programme.’
Gatehouse Chambers, 28th May 2024
Source: gatehouselaw.co.uk
‘Prior to the coming into force of the Building Safety Act 2022 (“the BSA 2022”), local authorities already had the ability to take enforcement action in respect of residential premises where there was a hazard in relation to fire by virtue of Part I, Chapter I of the Housing Act 2004 (“the HA 2004”). Now, local authorities are among a class of interested persons who may apply for remediation orders under section 123 of the BSA 2022. What does a comparison of the two remedies say about how the First-Tier Tribunal should exercise their discretion in respect of remediation orders?’
Falcon Chambers, 13th May 2024
Source: www.falcon-chambers.com
‘It was only a few months ago that the Upper Tribunal handed down the decision in Kay v Cunningham [2023] UKUT 251 (LC). In that case (in which the writer appeared for the successful applicant) the Tribunal established a number of novel points in relation to modification and discharge of restrictive covenants under s.84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 (see the Brew on this here). On 8 May 2024, a differently constituted panel gave a decision in Medley v Mackenzie and others [2024] UKUT 112 (LC), which provides further guidance as to the Upper Tribunal’s approach to the discretion stage in s.84 applications.’
Gatehouse Chambers, 28th May 2024
Source: gatehouselaw.co.uk
‘Querino v Cambridge City Council (Rev1) (2024) EWCA Civ 314. This was a second appeal to the court of appeal from a s.204 appeal of a decision on suitability of accommodation offered to Mr Querino in discharge of homeless duty.’
Nearly Legal, 9th June 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
‘C v Oldham Council: Hynek v LB Islington. Central London County Court 24 May 2024. These are two s.204 appeals which address the effect of the Withdrawal Agreement (The Agreement of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union,) on eligibility for housing assistance/homeless duties.’
Nearly Legal, 9th June 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
‘A Slovakian national has won a case against the London Borough of Islington over whether his status under agreements between the UK and the European Union entitled him to homelessness support.’
Local Government Lawyer, 5th June 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Hundreds of complaints about ill treatment from staff looking after asylum seekers in hotels and other accommodation have been lodged with the Home Office, a Guardian investigation has found.’
The Guardian, 3rd June 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Campbell, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Ealing (2024) EWCA Civ 540. This was an appeal from a judicial review of Ealing’s decision in May 2022 to end funding for Mr Campbell’s temporary bed and breakfast accommodation that had been provided by Social Services since 2016. Mr C had been placed in temporary accommodation in Ealing’s area by LB Hillingdon under Part VII Housing Act 1996. Hillingdon then apparently discharged duty. Ealing Social Services then took over funding the accommodation (and various subsequent temporary accommodation) on, they said, the basis that it was “exercising its statutory power under s.19(3) Care Act 2014 to provide care and support in the form of accommodation pending a needs assessment”.’
Nearly Legal, 28th May 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
‘Angela Rayner has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing over claims she avoided tax on the sale of a home, with the Labour deputy leader criticising what she called the “desperate tactics” of Conservative MPs who urged police to investigate.’
The Guardian, 28th May 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The Conservatives’ promise to abolish no-fault evictions before the election will not happen, sources have told the BBC.’
BBC News, 24th May 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The High Court has dismissed a judicial review claim brought by a local resident of Portland, who contended that the area of the seabed above which the Bibby Stockholm barge is moored forms part of the “land” that is subject to planning control under the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA).’
Local Government Lawyer, 23rd May 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘The Court of Appeal has recently held that local authorities are able to rely on section 233 of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the 1972 Act”) when serving a notice seeking possession under section 83ZA of the Housing Act 1985 (“the 1985 Act”). Service will be deemed valid even if the tenant does not receive the notice but where it has been found to be served in accordance with the aforementioned provisions.’
Park Square Barristers, 2nd April 2024
Source: www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk
‘Bailiffs are evicting more renting households than at any time in the last six years, the Ministry of Justice has said, as protesters chanted for rent controls outside the HQ of Britain’s biggest listed private landlord.’
The Guardian, 16th May 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘What is the correct approach to determining the suitability of accommodation when the applicant’s circumstances engage rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)? This is an issue of general public importance affecting local authorities discharging homelessness duties under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. Who says? Andrews LJ, when she directed that an appeal from Mr Rabah Ghaoui should proceed to a hearing.’
Law Society's Gazette, 14th May 2024
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Roderick Morton examines a recent s288 challenge against the decision of an inspector to refuse permission on appeal for a material change of use of land in the Green Belt for the stationing of caravans for residential occupation.’
Local Government Lawyer, 10th May 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Bano, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Waltham Forest (2024) EWHC 654 (Admin). Waltham Forest owed Ms Bano the full housing duty. In June 2020, WF made an offer of a private sector tenancy in Derby. Ms Bano refused the offer as unsuitable. In disputed evidence, it was said that Ms Bano’s daughter made a review request by WhatsApp on 14 June 2020. WF sent a cancellation of temporary accommodation letter on 19 August 2020. Solicitors for Ms Bano made a request for a review in September 2020, which WF refused as out of time.’
Nearly Legal, 12th May 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
‘Santander PLC v Harris (2024) EWHC 351 (KB). This was an application by Mr Harris for an extension of time to appeal a mortgage possession order of his flat made in favour of Santander, his lender, with a money judgment for £195,308.64 in mortgage arrears. The possession order was in December 2021 so Mr Harris was seeking an extension of time of some 14 months.’
Nearly Legal, 12th May 2024
Source: nearlylegal.co.uk
‘A planning inspector misdirected himself in a dispute over the construction of a house in Beaconsfield and misunderstood case law, the Court of Appeal has ruled.’
Local Government Lawyer, 9th May 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
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