Statutory damages awarded for a wrongful eviction must allow for other the fact that parts of the property were in occupation by others. The comparison required by the Act ‘necessarily involved valuing the unincumbered interest on a factual as opposed to a notional basis, otherwise that which the landlord was ordered to pay to the … Continue reading Melville v Bruton: CA 29 Mar 1996
The defendant family was served without notice with an anti-social behaviour order ordering them to leave their home immediately, and making other very substantial restrictions. The evidence in large part related to other people entirely. Held: To grant an injunction without notice is to grant an exceptional remedy. As to hearsay evidence: ‘ the experience … Continue reading Moat Housing Group-South Ltd v Harris and Another: CA 16 Mar 2005
Aspect had claimed the return of funds paid by it to the appellant Higgins under an adjudication award in a construction contract disute. The claimant had been asked to prpare asbestos surveys and reports on maisonettes which Higgins was to acquire and redevlop. Higgins now appealed againt a decision overturning a high court judgment in … Continue reading Aspect Contracts (Asbetos) Ltd v Higgins Construction Plc: SC 17 Jun 2015
1267 – 1278 – 1285 – 1297 – 1361 – 1449 – 1491 – 1533 – 1677 – 1688 – 1689 – 1700 – 1706 – 1710 – 1730 – 1737 – 1738 – 1751 – 1774 – 1792 – 1793 – 1804 – 1814 – 1819 – 1824 – 1828 – 1831 – 1832 … Continue reading Acts
The claimant challenged the defendant’s finding that she had become homeless by giving up accommodation in 2000 which it would have been reasonable for her to continue to occupy, and remained so homeless ever since. Permission was given for a second, appeal to raise important and undecided issues about the correct test for determining whether … Continue reading Steward v Royal Borough of Kingston-Upon-Thames: CA 22 May 2007
Judges: Lord Justice Sedley Lord Justice Waller Lord Justice Carnwath Citations: [2004] EWCA Civ 394, (2004) HLR 37 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1996 191 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – F v Birmingham City Council CA 2-Nov-2006 The applicant sought housing as a homeless person with her children. The authority found her … Continue reading O’Connor and Another v Mayor and Burgesses of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: CA 30 Mar 2004
Judges: Clarke MR, Arden LJ, Hooper LJ Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 787 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1996 191 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Cited – Regina v Thurrock Borough Council ex parte Williams QBD 1981 The burden when determining intentional homelessness is upon the local authority to be satisfied that the applicant became homeless … Continue reading Osei v London Borough of Southwark: CA 25 Jul 2007
Young adult asked to leave family home after unacceptable behaviour – whether intentionally homeless. Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 623 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1996 191 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 11 July 2022; Ref: scu.254441
The applicant had committed certain acts of theft. She later moved house, but was then convicted and imprisoned. She lost her house whilst in prison, and sought assistance as a homeless person. The authority deemed her to have become intentionally homeless. Held: The fact of her move was not relevant, and there was no reason … Continue reading Minchin v Sheffield City Council: CA 26 Apr 2000
Whether the appellant was intentionally homeless within the meaning of section 191 of the Housing Act 1996 Judges: Lord Justice Lewis Citations: [2020] EWCA Civ 1587 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Act 1996 191 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Housing Updated: 04 May 2022; Ref: scu.656356
Hallett, Sullivan LJJ, Arnold J [2013] EWCA Civ 1764 Bailii Housing Act 1996 191(1) England and Wales Housing Updated: 28 November 2021; Ref: scu.520117
The Council appealed against a decision allowing the appeal of the respondent under the 1996 Act against its review decision which had upheld its original decision that Mr Balog was intentionally homeless within the meaning of s.191 of the 1996 Act. Sullivan, Kitchin, Briggs LJJ [2013] EWCA Civ 1582 Bailii Housing Act 1996 191 204 … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Balog: CA 12 Dec 2013
The claimant said that the defendant had acted unlawfully in finding her to homeless intentionally. Her landlord had said that she was to leave. She sought housing but did not at first follow the homelessness procedure. She left the house though before a court order, being ignorant of her rights. Held: The failure to look … Continue reading Ugiagbe v London Borough of Southwark: CA 10 Feb 2009
Tenants complained that the authority landlord had purported to vary a clause in his secure tenancy agreement which gave certain management rights to tenants. Held: The powers to let on secure tenancies were governed by statute. The clause which was removed was an unlawful fetter on the authorty’s powers and duties. As such the court … Continue reading Kilby v Basildon District Council: Admn 26 Jul 2006
The applicant had been found to have deliberately procured her own eviction from her tenanted accommodation in Harrow. She was given temporary accommodation in a guest house, where she stayed for over a year. Her housing benefit was then reduced by half, on the basis that her rent was too high. The landlord then told … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Harrow ex parte Fahia: CA 7 Mar 1997
The court heard applications in adjudication enforcement proceedings between consultants and their employer, issues being raised about the extent to which the construction contract between the parties was in writing for the purposes of Section 107 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (‘HGCRA’) and in relation to the extent and scope of … Continue reading Sprunt Ltd v London Borough of Camden: TCC 6 Dec 2011
The employee claimed that the behaviour which gave rise to her dismissal was a protected disclosure, and that her motive was irrelevant. Held: The fact that what was disclosed was true was not conclusive to protect the disclosure. The court could look to motive, and a bad motive might defeat the protection even if the … Continue reading Street v Derbyshire Unemployed Workers Centre: EAT 22 Sep 2003
Twins were conjoined (Siamese). Medically, both could not survive, and one was dependent upon the vital organs of the other. Doctors applied for permission to separate the twins which would be followed by the inevitable death of one of them. The parents, devout Roman Catholics, resisted. Held: The parents’ views were subject to the overriding … Continue reading In Re A (Minors) (Conjoined Twins: Medical Treatment); aka In re A (Children) (Conjoined Twins: Surgical Separation): CA 22 Sep 2000
The appellant and his family sought rehousing. The appellant’s wife had a medically-confirmed history of anxiety due to fear of heights. They were offered a flat on the 16th floor. She became distressed on leaving after the inspection and collapsed at the lift, and an ambulance had to be called. Held: The council’s decision that … Continue reading El-Dinnaoui v Westminster City Council: CA 20 Mar 2013
The two applicants had occupied a women’s refuge. They appealed against a refusal to consider them as homeless when they acted in such a way as to be evicted from the refuge, saying that the refuge did not constitute ‘accommodation . . which it would have been reasonable for [them] to continue to occupy’. It … Continue reading Manchester City Council v Moran and Another; Richards v Ipswich Borough Council: CA 17 Apr 2008
The claimant had sought to bring proceedings against the respondent, but as a mental patient subject to the 1983 Act, had been obliged by the section first to obtain consent. The parties disputed whether the failure was a procedural or substantial failing and whether it made the proceedings a nullity. Held: The claimant’s appeal failed. … Continue reading Seal v Chief Constable of South Wales Police: HL 4 Jul 2007
The defendant entered into an agreement for lease, incurring substantial obligations. When it could not meet them it sought assistance from the claimant, who now claimed to have an interest in a joint venture. The draft documentation originally suggested a loan, but then changed. Disagreements persisted after completion. Held: There was insufficient agreement to constitute … Continue reading Kilcarne Holdings Ltd v Targetfollow (Birmingham) Ltd, Targetfollow Group Ltd: ChD 9 Nov 2004
The local authority said that the claimant, having been sentenced to a term of five years imprisonment for drugs offences, had made himself intentionally homeless within the section. While in prison, he was evicted from the flat for non-payment of rent. He had arranged with his sister that the rent should continue to be paid … Continue reading Stewart v London Borough of Lambeth: CA 26 Apr 2002
The applicant questioned the compatibility of s185 of the 1996 Act with Human Rights law. The family sought emergency housing. The child of the family, found to be in priority housing need, was subject also to immigration control. Though the matter had been settled the court was invited to pursue the decision. Held: The Act … Continue reading Morris, Regina (on the Application of) v Westminster City Council and Another: Admn 7 Oct 2004
Parliament’s Approval if statute rights affected In a referendum, the people had voted to leave the European Union. That would require a notice to the Union under Article 50 TEU. The Secretary of State appealed against an order requiring Parliamentary approval before issuing the notice, he saying that the notice could be given under the … Continue reading Miller and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union: SC 24 Jan 2017
The applicant was a Dutch national. She appealed for housing as a homeless person. The local authority, after review found her not to have a settled intention to stay in England. She appealed, to the County Court, and succeeded, and the Authority now appealed. Held: The County Court in reviewing such decisions under the section, … Continue reading London Borough of Newham v Adan: CA 14 Dec 2001
Bryan was a farmer at Warrington in Cheshire. He built two brick buildings on land in a conservation area without planning permission and the planning authority served an enforcement notice for their demolition. He appealed on grounds (a) (that planning permission should be granted), (b) (that there had been no breach of planning control) and … Continue reading Bryan v The United Kingdom: ECHR 22 Nov 1995
An abatement notice requiring works to be carried out must state clearly what works are required or considered necessary. There was an imminent danger of the collapse onto some cottages of a rockface and wall where the notice was addressed to the respondents as owners of the rockface and wall and simply required them to … Continue reading Kirklees Metropolitan Council v Field; Thackray; Marsh and Wilson: Admn 31 Oct 1997
Administrative Discretion to be Used Reasonably The applicant challenged the manner of decision making as to the conditions which had been attached to its licence to open the cinema on Sundays. It had not been allowed to admit children under 15 years of age. The statute provided no appeal procedure, and the applicant sought a … Continue reading Associated Provincial Picture Houses Ltd v Wednesbury Corporation: CA 10 Nov 1947
Appeal against a decision dismissing an appeal brought by the appellant under section 204 of the 1996 Act against an assessment made by the Council upon review under section 202 of the 1996 Act. The Council’s assessment in relation to establishing the extent of the duties it owed the appellant with respect to provision of … Continue reading Trindade v London Borough of Hackney: CA 6 Jul 2017
Banker’s Liability for Negligent Reference The appellants were advertising agents. They were liable themselves for advertising space taken for a client, and had sought a financial reference from the defendant bankers to the client. The reference was negligent, but the bankers denied any assumption of a duty of care to a third party when purely … Continue reading Hedley Byrne and Co Ltd v Heller and Partners Ltd: HL 28 May 1963
The claimants were involved in litigation, They took certain steps on the understanding that the respondents had had deposited with them substantial sums in accounts under binding authorities. The bank had written a letter upon which they claim they had relied. Held: The letter could not be taken as a representation that the bank would … Continue reading DP Mann and others v Coutts and Co: ComC 16 Sep 2003
LT COMPENSATION – Compulsory purchase of land for the construction of a road – value – assumed planning permission – value of minerals – planning permission for a commercial minerals operation not granted or to be assumed – compensation assessed on basis of agricultural value at andpound;17,000 – Alternative valuation (Rule 50(4) Lands Tribunal Rules … Continue reading C F and M G Roberts v South Gloucestershire District Council: LT 31 Dec 1994
The claimant sought to challenge the validity of the 2009 Act by judicial review. The Act would make their insured and themselves liable to very substantial unanticipated claims for damages for pleural plaques which would not previousl or otherwise have amounted to personal injury. Pleural plaques are physical changes in the pleura, detectable radiologically as … Continue reading AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SCS 8 Jan 2010
Minor Irregularity in Break Notice Not Fatal Leases contained clauses allowing the tenant to break the lease by serving not less than six months notice to expire on the third anniversary of the commencement date of the term of the lease. The tenant gave notice to determine the leases on 12th January 1995, although the … Continue reading Mannai Investment Co Ltd v Eagle Star Assurance: HL 21 May 1997
Former HL decision in Siebe Gorman overruled The company had become insolvent. The bank had a debenture and claimed that its charge over the book debts had become a fixed charge. The preferential creditors said that the charge was a floating charge and that they took priority. Held: The appeal was allowed. The debenture, although … Continue reading National Westminster Bank plc v Spectrum Plus Limited and others: HL 30 Jun 2005
Money expended by a tenant on discharging his landlord’s covenants will in appropriate circumstances operate as a partial or a complete discharge so as to furnish a defence at law to a claim for unpaid rent; and where the tenant has suffered damage by the breach rather than paid money to remedy it, an equitable … Continue reading British Anzani (Felixstowe) Ltd v International Marine Management (UK) Ltd: ChD 19 Dec 1978
Anonymity in Court Proceedings – No two stage test XXX appealed against the refusal to make orders anonymising her name and redacting certain details from published judgments. The appeal raised a point about the proper approach to applications for anonymisation under CPR 39.2. She brought proceedings for judicial review of the Council’s housing allocation policy, … Continue reading XXX v Camden London Borough Council: CA 11 Nov 2020
The employee, the former chairman of the company, appealed a finding that his contract which restricted his being employed for one year in the same field after termination, was valid and enforceable. The company had provided insurance services to the social housing sector. His proposed new employer was a new entrant in the field and … Continue reading Thomas v Farr Plc and Another: CA 20 Feb 2007
Identifying ‘maandatory’ and ‘regulatory’ The appellants had sought a Certificate of Alternative Development. The certificate provided was defective in that it did not notify the appellants, as required, of their right to appeal. Their appeal out of time was refused. Held: The House considered the consequences of a failure to comply with a procedural requirement, … Continue reading London and Clydeside Estates v Aberdeen District Council: HL 8 Nov 1979
Same Sex Partner Entitled to tenancy Succession The protected tenant had died. His same-sex partner sought a statutory inheritance of the tenancy. Held: His appeal succeeded. The Fitzpatrick case referred to the position before the 1998 Act: ‘Discriminatory law undermines the rule of law because it is the antithesis of fairness. It brings the law … Continue reading Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza: HL 21 Jun 2004
The land-owner had planning permission to erect a barn, conditional on its use for agricultural purposes. He built inside it a house and lived there from 2002. In 2006. He then applied for a certificate of lawful use. The inspector allowed it, and the Council appealed. The Council now also argued that parliament could not … Continue reading Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and Another v Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council: SC 6 Apr 2011
Our law-index is a substantial selection from our database. Cases here are restricted in number by date and lack the additional facilities formerly available within lawindexpro. Please do enjoy this free version of the lawindex. Case law does not ‘belong’ to lawyers. Judgments are made up of words which can be read and understood (if … Continue reading law index