Before the alleged transfer, the undertaking of general building work operations, was carried on by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive through its Direct Labour Organisation then divided into four districts. The employee worked in two units then contracted out to two separate building contractors. In unfair dismissal proceedings it was asked whether there had been … Continue reading Hassard v Mc Grath and Others: CANI 1996
The court considered the construction of a restrictive covenant, and was asked whether an indefinite article ‘a private dwellinghouse’ was to be construed as a limitation of number or whether it was to be construed as being as to the manner of use. Held: Buxton LJ said that: ‘I do not think that the expression … Continue reading Martin v David Wilson Homes Ltd: CA 28 Jun 2004
The defendant local authority had licenced houses to a housing trust, which in turn granted sub-licences to the claimants who were applicants for housing under homelessness provisions, and who now asserted that they became secure tenants of the authority once the trusts licence was revoked. Held: The properties were short life properties, being scheduled for … Continue reading Kay, Gorman, etc v London Borough of Lambeth, London and Quadrant Housing Trust: CA 20 Jul 2004
Loss of a house from ignorance of benefit rules was not deliberate homelessness. Citations: Times 16-Jul-1996, (1996) 29 HLR 389 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 60(3) 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 Regina v Westminster City Council Ex Parte Obeid: QBD 16 Jul 1996
A family of asylum seekers with two disabled children would be destitute without ‘adequate’ accommodation. What was such accommodation? Held: The authority was under an absolute duty to house such a family. In satisfying such duty, it was adequate to place them immediately in temporary accommodation which would be adequate in the short term, pending … Continue reading Regina (on the Application of A) v National Asylum Support Service, London Borough of Waltham Forest: CA 23 Oct 2003
‘These two applications for judicial review were heard together and raise the identical issue of law, namely the effect of section 9(2) of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 upon an application for housing made to a local authority before the date when the section came into force (19 August 1996).’ Judges: Stephen Richard HHJ … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Southwark ex parte Bediako and City of Westminster ex parte Zafru: Admn 19 Feb 1997
The defendants had engaged the claimants under standard form clauses for construction work. They issued a notice to withold payment, but out of time. Held: The section required the notice to be given with the prescribed period. The risk of the clients making an overpayment to a builder who subsequently became insolvent could be prevented … Continue reading Rupert Morgan Building Services (LLC) Ltd v Jervis and Jervis: CA 12 Nov 2003
EAT Unfair Dismissal – CompensationIn each case, The employee sought additional damages for non-economic loss after an unfair dismissal. Held: The Act could be compared with the Discrimination Acts which explicitly awarded damages for hurt feelings. Clear authority lay against such awards in unfair dismissal cases. An Employment Tribunal considering a claim for damages for … Continue reading Dunnachie v Kingston Upon Hull City Council; Williams v Southampton Institute; Dawson v Stonham Housing Association: EAT 8 Apr 2003
Three applicants had lied on entry to secure admission, stayed for a considerable time, and had been treated as illegal immigrants under section 33(1). The fourth’s claim that upon being returned he would been killed, had been rejected without investigation. Held: A claim to refugee status was not an exception to the ban on appeals … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department ex parte Bugdaycay: HL 19 Feb 1986
Each tenant had become unintentionally homeless, and was granted a non-secure tenancy of accommodation under section 193. Complaints of nuisance were received from neighbours. Possession orders were obtained and now challenged under the Human Rights Act. The service of the original notice to quit, engaged the Human Rights Act, but the action taken was lawful … Continue reading Smart v Sheffield City Council: Central Sunderland Housing Company Limited v Wilson: CA 25 Jan 2002
A refugee from Bosnia moved from Kirklees to London, where she applied for accomodation as being homeless. Hammersmith accepted that she was owed a duty, but referred her back to Kirklees in September. Her solicitors then sent in more material which the LHA considered before, in January, refusing her again. The reconsideration of the case … Continue reading Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, ex parte Avdic: CA 2 Jan 1996
Two foreign nationals with leave to remain in this country committed serious crimes. The Secretary of State ordered their deportation. Held: Where the deportation of a foreigner following a conviction here, would conflict with his human rights, the court had to assess whether the, first, the objective could be achieved by some alternative, less interfering, … Continue reading Samaroo and Sezek v Secretary of State for the Home Department: CA 17 Jul 2001
This was an appeal from orders of certiorari quashing the decisions of three local authorities refusing to provide accommodation for the respondents, four asylum seekers, whose applications for asylum were presently being considered by the Secretary of State. Held: Appeal dismissed. Asylum seekers are not entitled merely because they lack money and accommodation to claim … Continue reading Regina v Westminster City Council ex parte A, London Borough of Lambeth ex parte X and similar: CA 17 Feb 1997
Where a claim was made that a housing authority had failed to carry out its duty to provide appropriate accommodation, the claimant should exhaust the statutory review and appeal procedures before applying for judicial review. A delay in finding accommodation might be inevitable where the claimant’s needs were particular. Citations: Times 09-Jun-1999, [1999] EWHC Admin … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Merton, ex parte Sembi: Admn 25 May 1999
When making decisions about the form of interim housing to be provided under the homelessness provisions, the authority should pay heed to the statutory Code of Practice. Bed and breakfast accommodation was wrong for a family with children. Judges: Collins J Citations: Times 29-Aug-1998, [1998] EWHC Admin 730, 31 HLR 452, (1999) 31 HLR 452 … Continue reading Regina v Mayor and Burgesses of London Borough of Newham (No 3) ex parte Ojuri: Admn 9 Jul 1998
Gilliatt The parents of a child with profound and multiple learning difficulties provided evidence to the SENT from a psychologist that the child needed access to a 24 hour curriculum. There was also clear evidence that many of the family’s difficulties in caring for the child arose from their personal circumstances including inadequate housing and … Continue reading Regina v City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council and Michael Dorsey, Special Educational Needs Tribunal ex parte Karen Lisa Greenwood: Admn 29 Jan 1998
A local authority’s policy of not giving interim accommodation, pending a review of their refusal of an application for housing assistance, was not unlawful. In exercising their discretion the authority have to balance the objective of maintaining fairness between homeless persons in circumstances where they have decided that no duty is owed to the applicant, … Continue reading Regina v Camden London Borough Council, Ex Parte Mohammed: Admn 23 May 1997
The claimant said that the housing offered to her as a single mother with four children, one hyper-active, was inadequate. It was complained that the Doctor advising the authority had included in her report a consideration of what resources were available to the authority. Held: The report focussed on the recommendation, and the recommendation was … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Wandsworth ex parte Ann Garvey: Admn 8 Apr 1997
A Local authority must investigate the personal circumstances of a tenant before seeking an eviction order. Citations: Times 02-Jan-1997, [1996] EWHC Admin 377 Links: Bailii Statutes: Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 77(1) Housing Updated: 25 May 2022; Ref: scu.136925
The period of twenty years required to establish a common under the Act was the period up to the date of the application. Judges: Dyson J Citations: [1996] EWHC Admin 385, (1996) 74 PandCR 1 Links: Bailii Statutes: Commons Registration Act 1965 Citing: Cited – New Windsor Corporation v Mellor CA 1975 The respondent had … Continue reading Regina v Norfolk County Council ex parte Perry: Admn 19 Dec 1996
A teletext page can be a document for gaming licensing purposes. A bookmaker sought to advertise his services via a teletext page. His services were not licensed in this country, but the advertisements were. It was held that despite the insubstantial nature of a teletext broadcast, the page constituted, sufficiently for the Act, ‘an advertisement … Continue reading Victor Chandler International v Commissioners of Customs and Excise and another: CA 8 Mar 2000
ECJ Safeguarding of employees’ rights in the event of transfers of undertakings, businesses or parts of businesses – Transfer to the transferee of the rights and obligations arising from a contract of employment – Date of transfer. Citations: Times 25-Nov-1996, [1997] IRLR 127, C-305/94, [1996] EUECJ C-305/94 Links: Bailii Statutes: EC Directive 77/187/EEC Cited by: … Continue reading Rotsart de Hertaing v Benoidt and IGC Housing Service (In Liquidation) and Another: ECJ 14 Nov 1996
Destitute asylum seekers who were not entitled to welfare benefits could be in need of care and attention within the meaning of section 21 of the 1948 Act although they were no longer entitled to housing assistance or other social security benefits such as income support. The Act should be read so as to disallow … Continue reading Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, ex parte M; Regina v Similar Ex Parte P etc: QBD 8 Oct 1996
The homeless applicant family were housed in two hostels approximately a mile apart. Held: A housing authority’s duty to provide interim accommodation pending homelessness decision extended to the provision of suitable accommodation. There was no justification for any other reading of the section. Housing which split up a family was not suitable.Scott Baker J said: … Continue reading Regina v Ealing London Borough Council Ex Parte Nicola Surdonja: Admn 20 Oct 1998
The term ‘Accommodation’ in the Act was to be read to include short term lettings, and was not to be restricted to secure accommodation, and the loss of such accommodation can be counted as intentional homelessness. If a person who had been provided with accommodation in accordance with section 65(2) of the 1985 Act was … Continue reading Regina v Brent London Borough Council Ex Parte Awua: HL 6 Jul 1995
A local authority decide to provide temporary accommodation for homeless applicants outside its area in assorted seaside towns, pending a final decision on their cases. This general policy was unlawful, since the authority had failed to consider properly the individual circumstances of the individuals involved. Many were on benefits, and had for example children being … Continue reading Regina v Sacupima and Others, Ex Parte Newham London Borough Council: QBD 26 Nov 1999
Citations: (1988) 20 HLR 205 Cited by: Cited – Haile v London Borough of Waltham Forest SC 20-May-2015 ‘The question in this case is whether the appellant falls within the scope of section 193 of the Housing Act 1996 as amended, which applies, by virtue of subsection (1), where the local housing authority are satisfied … Continue reading Regina v Hillingdon London Borough Council, Ex parte Tinn: 1988
The housing applicant had given up the tenancy of a house in Basingstoke when she and her husband decided to emigrate to Canada. They moved to Canada, but their application to stay permanently was refused, and they had to return to England, where they lived in temporary accommodation in Bramley. The marriage then broke down … Continue reading Regina v Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Ex parte Bassett: 1983
After deliberately losing her tenancy, the authority had provided the appliant with temporary accomodation in a guest house, but after her housing benefits were halved she lost that accomodation also. Held: The authority had a duty to house her. The change in the level of housing benefits had operated to break the chain of causation, … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Harrow ex parte Fahia: 1996
An MOD ban on employing homosexuals was not Wednesbury unreasonable, even though it might be out of date. Pannick (counsel for the applicant, approved): ‘The court may not interfere with the exercise of an administrative discretion on substantive grounds save where the court is satisfied that the decision is unreasonable in the sense that it … Continue reading Regina v Ministry of Defence Ex Parte Smith and Others: QBD 7 Jun 1995
The applicants were members of six homeless families who had occupied accommodation in Northern Ireland. The council concluded that members of each household except one had been guilty of criminal and anti-social behaviour, as a result of which the IRA had threatened that they would all be killed unless they left Northern Ireland within 72 … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Hammersmith, ex parte P: QBD 1989
Ms A had left settled accommodation in Nigeria to come to the United Kingdom, where she lived in overcrowded short-term accommodation. She was given notice to leave after she became pregnant. She challenged the authority’s decision that she had become homeless intentionally as a result of having left the accommodation in Nigeria, and argued that … Continue reading Regina v Hackney London Borough Council, Ex parte Ajayi: 1997
No homelessness priority could be established by means of having a child applying for housing, rather than his or her parent. An application by a person suffering mental disability who would also be dependent upon others was also rejected. In each case the true application was by the parent or carer. The Act is concerned … Continue reading Regina v Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council ex parte Garlick and similar: HL 19 Mar 1993
Land had been used as a park for many years. The council land owner refused to register it as a common, saying that by maintaining the park it had indicated that the use was by consent and licence, and that prescription did not apply. Held: Qualifying user having been found, there was nothing in the … Continue reading Regina v City of Sunderland ex parte Beresford: HL 13 Nov 2003
When setting out to establish that a piece of land has become a village green with rights of common, the tests are similar to those used in the law of prescription and adverse possession. Accordingly, there is no need to establish a belief in those using the rights asserted beyond that the use is as … Continue reading Regina v Oxfordshire County Council and Another, Ex Parte Sunningwell Parish Council: HL 25 Jun 1999
Judges: Toulson J Citations: [1996] 29 HLR 87 Cited by: Cited – Regina v London Borough of Wandsworth ex parte Ann Garvey Admn 8-Apr-1997 The claimant said that the housing offered to her as a single mother with four children, one hyper-active, was inadequate. It was complained that the Doctor advising the authority had included … Continue reading Regina v Greenwich London Borough Council ex parte Dukic: 1996
Outer House – Lord Clyde reiterated his view, rejecting a challenge by counsel for the defenders, that section 11(3) was concerned only with awareness of loss, a matter of fact, and not with matters of legal liability. Judges: Lord Clyde Citations: 1996 SLT 150 Statutes: Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 Cited by: Cited – … Continue reading Kirk Care Housing Association Ltd v Crerar and Partners: SCS 1996
Where a local authority had to decide whether temporary housing was suitable for a family who had applied under the homelessness provisions, the location of the short-term housing was relevant. In this case, a London authority, placing a family in accommodation in Great Yarmouth, failed in its statutory duty, because the result of that placement … Continue reading Regina v Newham London Borough Council, ex parte Sacupima and others: CA 1 Dec 2000
Tenants under long leases sought to recover service charges which had been paid over many years, but which they had come to consider unreasonable. The landlords resisted the claim for repayment saying the Tribunal had no power to make an order when the charges had been paid. The tribunal also said that a limitation period … Continue reading Regina v London Leasehold Valuation Tribunal Ex Parte Daejan Properties Ltd: QBD 20 Oct 2000
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
Judicial review was sought of the Council’s decision to refuse to register a park as a Town or Village Green. Held: Carnwath J looked at the procedure to be followed by a council receiving an application for registration of commons right: ‘it is accepted that if the matter has to be reconsidered by the Council … Continue reading Regina v Suffolk County Council Ex Parte Steed and Steed: Admn 1995
The tribunal could only consider an application to review the reasonableness a landlord’s service charge to the extent that it remained unpaid. Both the county court and the tribunal had jurisdiction to hear such claims, but the provisions for the tribunal required the charges to be ‘alleged to be payable’ and that could not be … Continue reading Regina v London Leasehold Valuation Tribunal, ex parte Daejan Properties Ltd: CA 12 Jul 2001
The applicant challenged a referral of her application for housing as a homeless person by Hammersmith back to Kirklees from where she had moved. She had a cousin in Hammersmith. Held: Her application for judical review failed. Tucker J: ‘Section 61(1) of the Housing Act provides that a local connection may be established by any … Continue reading Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, ex parte Avdic: QBD 1996
Four asylum seekers had been deprived of benefits, and left destitute. They had sought housing assistance from the authority, claiming that the complete absence of resources left to them was an ‘other special reason’ leaving them vulnerable within s59. Held: Such destitution was capable of being a reason within the Act, and the appeal against … Continue reading Regina v Kensington and Chelsea Royal London Borough Ex Parte Kihara; Similar: CA 25 Jun 1996
The plaintiff had acquired land to build a hospital, which would require re-alignment of a link road, over which the defendants had rights of way. The land was also subject to a restrictive covenant in favour of the defendants. The defendants did not object, and the re-alignment of the right of way would improve the … Continue reading Greenwich Healthcare National Health Service Trust v London and Quadrant Housing Trust and Others: ChD 11 Jun 1998
Parliament had made detailed provision in a number of Acts for the discharge of the housing duties by local authorities. These detailed provisions did not contain a power to give a guarantee in connection with a bank loan to a company which the local authority had formed to assist in the acquisition and development of … Continue reading Credit Suisse and Another v Waltham Forest London Borough Council: CA 20 May 1996
Having set aside a number of houses for the homeless, the local authority then failed, when allocating places, to consider the remaining and relevant statutory tests for deciding who should get what place. Held: The statutory criteria remained relevant, and the homelessness as such was not sufficiently serious to overwhelm other considerations. The policy was … Continue reading Regina v Westminster London Borough Council ex parte Al-Khorsan: QBD 14 Dec 1999
The claimant was detained in a secure Mental Hospital. He complained at the seclusions policy applied by the hospital, saying that it departed from the Guidance issued for such policies by the Secretary of State under the Act. Held: The House allowed the Hospital’s appeal. The policy was lawful. Seclusion was to be seen as … Continue reading Regina v Ashworth Hospital Authority (Now Mersey Care National Health Service Trust) ex parte Munjaz: HL 13 Oct 2005
The prisoner challenged the decision to place him in segregation under Prison Rule 43. Under rule 43(1) the initial power to segregate was given to ‘the governor’. The case arose from the fact that the governor of one prison had purported to authorise the segregation of a prisoner on his arrival at another prison to … Continue reading Regina v Deputy Governor of Parkhurst Prison, Ex parte Hague, Weldon v Home Office: HL 24 Jul 1991
The local connection test for rehousing may be applied as at the date of the application for housing: ‘In my judgment a local authority may properly ask itself whether the applicant had a local connection . . at the date of the application under Part III of the Housing Act, 1985 so long as it … Continue reading Regina v Newham London Borough Council Ex Parte Smith: QBD 11 Apr 1996
A local Authority must make proper welfare enquiries before seeking to remove unlawful campers. The new draconic legislation must be seen in its context. The commons of England provided lawful stopping places for people whose way of life was or had become nomadic. Enough common land survived enclosure to make this way of life still … Continue reading Regina v Lincolnshire County Council Ex Parte Atkinson; Regina v Wealden District Council Ex Parte Wales and Others: QBD 3 Oct 1995
The claimant sought to challenge a refusal of the Housing Authority to pay housing benefit. The Secretary of State had made the relevant Regulations determining eligibility for benefits. If the challenge were successful, the Secretary of State would be affected financially by reason of his obligation to pay sums to the Authority. Held: The Secretary … Continue reading Regina v Liverpool City Council Ex Parte Muldoon; Regina v Same Ex Parte Kelly: HL 11 Jul 1996
The words ‘other special reason’ for housing need within the section are to be to be read narrowly. The section was to be read as a whole and was not indended to cover impecuniosity through the denial of benefits. Citations: Times 01-May-1996 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 59(1) Cited by: Appeal from – Regina v Kensington … Continue reading Regina v Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council Ex Parte Kihara; Regina v Similar: QBD 1 May 1996
A local authority could not allow its decision about the facilities to be provided by way of housing and related assistance and grants to be affected by its financial resources. Citations: Times 14-Jul-1998 Statutes: Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 23(1) Housing Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.86137
A possession order was properly made against a tenant for the misbehaviour of a family member. Citations: Times 15-Jul-1996, [1996] 29 HLR 507 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 Sch 2 Part 1 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Northampton Borough Council v Lovatt and Another CA 11-Nov-1997 The local authority had obtained a possession … Continue reading Kensington and Chelsea Royal London Borough Council v Simmonds: CA 15 Jul 1996
A Local Authority had to consider all possible local connections before passing an applicant for housing under the Act to another other Local Authority for assistance. Citations: Times 30-Jan-1995, (1995) 27 HLR 492 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 61 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Ozbek v Ispwich Borough Council CA 4-May-2006 The claimant … Continue reading Regina v Slough Borough Council Ex Parte Khan and Another: QBD 30 Jan 1995
The applicants had each entered the UK with a view to seeking asylum, but having failed to seek asylum immediately, they had been refused any assistance, were not allowed to work and so had been left destitute. Each had claimed asylum on the day following their arrival. Held: The appeal by the Secretary of State … Continue reading Adam, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department; Limbuela v Same; Tesema v Same: HL 3 Nov 2005
The applicant was an alcoholic and had in 1980 been hit by a motor vehicle and suffered a severe head injury. He sought judicial review of the respondent’s failure to house him. Held: The appeal was allowed: ‘The question we have to consider is whether or not the applicant is vulnerable and secondly whether the … Continue reading Regina v Waveney City Council, ex parte Bowers: CA 25 May 1982
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 applicants sought to oblige the local authority, in compliance with its duties under the 1989 Act, to provide a home for children, and where necessary an accompanying adult. Held: There were four hurdles for the applicants to cross. They must show that their children are children in need within the meaning of section 17(10). … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Barnet ex parte G; Regina v London Borough of Lambeth ex parte W; Regina v London Borough of Lambeth ex parte A: HL 23 Oct 2003
The applicant was refused a grant of parental leave allowance in 1989. At that time parental leave allowance was available only to mothers. The applicant complained that this violated article 14 taken together with article 8. Held: The application was dismissed. the court noted that, as society moved towards a more equal sharing of responsibilities … Continue reading Petrovic v Austria: ECHR 27 Mar 1998
The respondent had arrived and claimed asylum. Three claims were rejected, two of which were fraudulent. She had two children by a UK citizen, and if deported the result would be (the father being unsuitable) that the children would have to return with her. Held: The mother’s appeal succeeded. The court had to consider the … Continue reading ZH (Tanzania) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 1 Feb 2011
A statement made by a politician as to his intentions on a particular matter if elected could not create a legitimate expectation as regards the delivery of the promise after elected, even where the promise would directly affect individuals, and the costs of a child’s education. Any consequences of a failure to keep a promise … Continue reading Regina v Department of Education and Employment ex parte Begbie: CA 20 Aug 1999
The applicants had had their requests for asylum refused. They complained that if they were removed from the UK, their article 3 rights would be infringed. If they were returned to Pakistan or Vietnam they would be persecuted for their religious faiths. Held: A distinction was to be made between domestic cases involving actions within … Continue reading Regina v Special Adjudicator ex parte Ullah; Regina v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 17 Jun 2004
The defendants had been convicted and sentenced for offences which under the 2003 Act would mean that they stayed permanently on the Sex Offenders’ register without possibility of a review. The Secretary of State appealed aganst a finding that the absence of a review was incompatible with their article 8 rights. Held: The appeal failed. … Continue reading F and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 21 Apr 2010
The applicant was a Turkish national resident in Austria. While working there he had paid unemployment insurance contributions. At a stage when he was unemployed he applied for an advance on his pension in the form of emergency assistance. That was available under the material Austrian legislation, but one of the conditions was that the … Continue reading Gaygusuz v Austria: ECHR 16 Sep 1996
Sedley J said that , there would be a real risk that ‘a sick and vulnerable individual (and I do not use the word ‘vulnerable’ in its statutory sense) is going to be put out on the streets’, which he described as a ‘reproach to a society that considers itself to be civilised’. Sedley J … Continue reading Regina v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham ex parte Fleck: Admn 18 Aug 1997
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
British Coal had the power to close coal mines once the unions had been consulted. The court gave guidance on the extent of consultation necessary. Held: Fair consultation will involve consultation while consultations are at a formative stage; adequate information on which to respond; adequate time in which to respond and conscientious consideration by an … Continue reading Regina v British Coal Corporation, Ex Parte Price and Others: QBD 28 May 1993
The housing association was to develop an estate of social housing, supported by an insurance guarantee. The insurance proposal contained a clause stating that the information in the proposal was to form the basis of the policy, and that the policy would be void if any fact warranted in the proposal was wrong. The form … Continue reading Genesis Housing Association Ltd v Liberty Syndicate Management Ltd: CA 4 Oct 2013
Same Sex Paartner to Inherit as Family Member The claimant had lived with the original tenant in a stable and long standing homosexual relationship at the deceased’s flat. After the tenant’s death he sought a statutory tenancy as a spouse of the deceased. The Act had been extended to include as a spouse someone living … Continue reading Fitzpatrick v Sterling Housing Association Ltd: HL 28 Oct 1999
The applicant applied for housing being a homeless single mother. The council found that she was intentionally homeless, and was required to leave the temporary accomodation provided. The judge considered that the phrase ‘reasonable opportunity of securing accommodation’ involved consideration by the local authority both of the applicant’s individual situation and that of the authority … Continue reading Conville v London Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames: CA 8 Jun 2006
The company had undertaken substantial building works and sought associated tax relief. The court was asked whether, following a change in the company’s memorandum and articles of association, the company, a registered social landlord, remained a charitable organisation. The articles allowed some tenants to become members of the company, and would allow pursuance of objects … Continue reading Helena Partnerships Ltd v HM Revenue and Customs: CA 9 May 2012
The claimant sought relief by way of judicial review from a policy statement issued by the defendants regarding the alleged widespread misselling of payment protection insurance policies, and the steps to be taken to compensate the purchasers. They objected that the policy statement would require them to act beyond their obligations in law. Held: The … Continue reading British Bankers Association, Regina (on The Application of) v The Financial Services Authority and Another: Admn 20 Apr 2011
The applicants had been made subject of anti-social behaviour orders. They challenged the basis upon which the orders had been made. Held: The orders had no identifiable consequences which would make the process a criminal one. Civil standards of evidence therefore applied, and hearsay evidence was admissible. Nevertheless, the test as to whether it was … Continue reading Clingham (formerly C (a minor)) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; Regina v Crown Court at Manchester Ex parte McCann and Others: HL 17 Oct 2002
The employee complained of his employer’s repeated failure to regrade him, and alleged discrimination. The employer said his claim was out of time. Held: Mummery J made the distinction between single acts of discrimination, and continuing discrimination: ‘the tribunal erred in law in failing to treat the acts complained of on regrading and failure to … Continue reading Owusu v London Fire and Civil Defence Authority: EAT 1 Mar 1995
The authority was required to provide housing to the minor applicant, but she was too young to hold a legal estate. An equitable lease had been created, and she now appealed against an order for possession having broken the terms of the agreement, saying that the authority was in practice trustee for the tenant, and … Continue reading Alexander-David v London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham: CA 1 Apr 2009
The newspaper applied to challenge the protection of the identity of the defendant subject to a control order under the 2005 Act. It said that there was no basis for the making of the order without first considering the Human Rights need for open justice. Held: The general purpose of the control order related to … Continue reading Times Newspapers Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department and AY: Admn 17 Oct 2008
A provision in the lease obliged a tenant to carry out repairs and provided that if he did not do so, the landlord might do the repairs and recover from the tenant the costs and expenses of doing so. Held: The provision was not a penalty. The money was payable not upon the breach but … Continue reading Jervis v Harris: CA 9 Nov 1995
The claimants had been detained under the 1971 Act, after completing sentences of imprisonment pending their return to their home countries under deportations recommended by the judges at trial, or chosen by the respondent. They challenged as unlawful the respondent’s, at first unpublished, policy introduced in 2006, that by default, those awaiting deportation should be … Continue reading Lumba (WL) v Secretary of State for The Home Department: SC 23 Mar 2011
The local authority submitted first that a person making a second application for emergency housing had to demonstrate a change of circumstance which might lead to a second application being successful and second that it was for the local authority to decide whether that test has to be satisfied. The applicant could not point to … Continue reading Regina v Harrow London Borough Council Ex Parte Fahia: HL 16 Sep 1998
Police Retention of Suspects DNA and Fingerprints The claimants complained that their fingerprints and DNA records taken on arrest had been retained after discharge before trial, saying the retention of the samples infringed their right to private life. Held: The parts of DNA used for testing are not generally capable of revealing medical information about … Continue reading S, Regina (on Application of) v South Yorkshire Police; Regina v Chief Constable of Yorkshire Police ex parte Marper: HL 22 Jul 2004
Not Homeless Even if Accomodation Inadequate The applicants, a married couple, lived with a young child and later also a baby in one room of a guest house. They were given breakfast but had no cooking or washing facilities. They succeeded on a judicial review of the housing authority’s decision that they had accommodation. They … Continue reading Regina v Hillingdon London Borough Council Ex parte Puhlhofer: HL 2 Jan 1986
The applicants had been imprisoned and held without trial, being suspected of international terrorism. No criminal charges were intended to be brought. They were foreigners and free to return home if they wished, but feared for their lives if they did. A British subject, who was suspected in the exact same way, and there were … Continue reading A v Secretary of State for the Home Department, and X v Secretary of State for the Home Department: HL 16 Dec 2004
The Board considered a banking transaction and the application of a chargeback by the bank, under which a loan was made only after a deposit by a third party against which it was secured, and particularly in the context of the insolvency of the bank itself. Held: Lord Mustill discussed the need to construe a … Continue reading Tam Wing Chuen v Bank of Credit and Commerce Hong Kong Ltd: PC 1996
The claimant sought damages after an explosion at the defender’s nearby premises damaged its shop. The defender said that the claim was out of time, and now appealed against a decision that time had not begun to run under the 1973 Act. Held: (Lord Hodge and Lord Toulson dissenting) The appeal was allowed. The natural … Continue reading David T Morrison and Co Ltd (T/A Gael Home Interiors) v ICL Plastics Ltd and Others: SC 30 Jul 2014
Single Sex Schooling failed to prepare for life The Chief Inspector appealed from a decision that it was discriminatory under the 2010 Act to educate girls and boys in the same school but under a system providing effective complete separation of the sexes. Held: The action was discriminatory. However, the scheme operated against individuals, both … Continue reading Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills v The Interim Executive Board of Al-Hijrah School: CA 13 Oct 2017
The claimant owned a house by the river Thames at Hedsor Water. Public rights of navigation existed over the Thames from time immemorial, and its management lay with the respondent. Landowners at Hedsor had sought to assert that that stretch was now private. She appealed an order declaring the continued public rights. Held: The applicant … Continue reading Rowland v The Environment Agency: CA 19 Dec 2003
The House considered situations where a secure or assured tenancy had been made subject to a suspended possession order and where despite the tenant failing to comply with the conditions, he had been allowed to continue in occupation. Held: Mrs White remained an assured tenant despite the continued suspended possession order. Mr Porter was entitled … Continue reading Knowsley Housing Trust v White; Honeygan-Green v London Borough of Islington; Porter v Shepherds Bush Housing Association: HL 10 Dec 2008
The claimant appealed against an order confirming a review of the decision that the local authority owed no futher duty to her under section 193. She had rejected the house offered as unsuitable for medical reasons. Held: The tenant’s appeal succeeded. The offer being of a permanent home, ‘Unless bound by authority to reach a … Continue reading Ravichandran and Another v London Borough of Lewisham: CA 2 Jul 2010
The Court was asked whether the Government can lawfully act in a manner which is inconsistent with an order of a judge which is defective, without first applying for, and obtaining, the variation or setting aside of the order. The appellant had been . .
The applicant had claimed asylum on entry and was temporarily admitted. Though his claim for asylum was later refused, those admitted in this way were granted indefinite leave to remain. He had claimed and received benefits at first, but then these . .
The Home Secretary appealed against a grant of a judicial review to the respondent who had applied for asylum. The court had found that two other asylum applicants had been granted leave to remain on similar facts and on the appellants, and that it . .
The defendant had made misrepresentations, inducing the claimant to enter into share transactions which he would not otherwise have entered into, and which lost money.
Held: A deceitful wrongdoer is properly liable for all actual damage . .
The plaintiffs were junior doctors employed by the respondents. Their terms had been collectively negotiated, and incorporated the Regulations. During the period of their employment different regulations had given and then taken way their right to . .
The applicant, having moved here from Greece, applied for emergency housing. The Council received no reply to its requests for corroboration sent to Greece. Housing was refused, but the officer later suggested that the real reason was that the . .
The court considered whether the 1993 Act should be construed as expropriatory legislation and therefore was to be read strictly.
Held: The Court rejected the submission that the relevant provisions must be strictly construed because the 1993 . .
Each of the three applicamts having been found to have lied in order to obtain British Nationality, now appealed against a decision that they were not in fact Britsh citizens. . .
The applicant sought review of a decision not to offer him temporary accomodation pending an appeal following a review of a refusal to offer him emergency accomodation. He had become homeless as a result of imprisonment.
Held: The section gave . .
The applicant sought to be rehoused. On review it was decided that she was intentionally homeless. She asked the authority to review that decision (a re-review). The authority said it had no power so to do. She had a right to appeal on a point of . .
