Compensation for non-economic loss brought about by the manner of an unfair dismissal is, on authority and on principle, recoverable. The award of such compensation by the employment tribunal in the present case was not excessive and was adequately explained. The court could look to parliamentary reports to identify the mischief sought to be rectified, … Continue reading Dunnachie v Kingston Upon Hull City Council: CA 11 Feb 2004
The court considered the operation of a ‘pay when paid’ clause. Judges: Coulson J Citations: [2009] EWHC 1603 (TCC), [2009] BLR 447, 125 Con LR 123, [2009] CILL 2753, [2010] BCC 332 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants (Construction and Regeneration) Act 1996 113(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Construction, Contract Updated: 22 July 2022; Ref: scu.347462
Challenge to rules requiring certain minimum levels of income (Minimum Income Requirement – MIR) for allowing entry for non-EEA spouse. Held: The challenges udder the Human Rights Act to the Rules themselves failed. Nor did any separate issue of discrimination arise under article 14. However, the appendix with instructions for entry clearance officers considering the … Continue reading MM (Lebanon) and Others, Regina (on The Applications of) v Secretary of State and Another: SC 22 Feb 2017
Judges: Ramsey J Citations: [2009] EWHC 1371 (TCC), 126 Con LR 213, [2009] CILL 2736, [2009] BLR 574 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Construction Updated: 19 July 2022; Ref: scu.347151
The court was asked whether the implication of terms into a written contract implied that it was not a contract in writing under ection 107. HHJ Seymour QC said: ‘it may be necessary to consider carefully the effect of s. 107 of the 1996 Act as interpreted by the Court of Appeal in RJT . … Continue reading Galliford Try Infrastructure Ltd and Another v Mott Macdonald Ltd: TCC 17 Jul 2008
The respondent brought in laws restricting marriages between persons subject to immigration control, requiring those seeking non Church of England marriages to first obtain a certificate from the defendant that the marriage was approved. The applicants said this was discriminatory and infringed their human rights. Held: Legislation which prevented marriages of convenience between aliens and … Continue reading Baiai and Others, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department: Admn 10 Apr 2006
Agreements under the planning acts remained subject to the general law requiring formalities for contracts for the sale of land. Where two landowners had an understanding as to the expectations for the division of responsibility for provision of affordable housing between their respective plots, one could not be obliged to continue where the contract was … Continue reading Jelson Ltd v Derby City Council: ChD 30 Jun 1999
The appellant had employed the three claimants in his medical surgery, but they claimed automatic unfair dismissal when the practice closed on his suspension from practice and the statutory procedures were followed but not to the procedural standard, alleging unreasonable delay in the appeals. Held: The employer’s appeal succeeded. The employees’ appeals failed. There was … Continue reading Selvarajan v Wilmot and others: CA 23 Jul 2008
The court was asked ‘If a former secure tenant of a dwelling-house who has become a ‘tolerated trespasser’ in it decides to cease to occupy it, does his liability to pay mesne profits to his former landlord in respect of the dwelling-house cease when he gives up possession of it or does it continue until, … Continue reading Jones v London Borough of Merton: CA 16 Jun 2008
The claimant was a council tenant with the right to buy her property. A possession order was made, but then discharged. Held: On the revival of the tenancy her right to buy and discount was also revived, and there was no need to serve a fresh notice. Judges: Lord Justice Pill, Lord Justice Keene and … Continue reading Honeygan-Green v London Borough of Islington: CA 22 Apr 2008
‘This application raises a short but important issue as to the propriety of a reference to adjudication pursuant to section 108 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (‘the 1996 Act’) of a dispute which, at the time of the reference, is already the subject of pending court proceedings. It is contended on … Continue reading Herschel Engineering Ltd v Breen Property Ltd: TCC 14 Apr 2000
The claimant challenged a decision of the authority that she had made herself intentionally homeless.She had gone to a refuge, then to stay with her mother. She had been found to be intentionally homeless. She then found a shorthold tenancy. When that was coming to an end the authority notified her that she remained intentionally … Continue reading Knight v Vale Royal Borough Council: CA 31 Jul 2003
The employer received a notice of non-completion from his architect, and in turn served a notice on the contractor under section 111, and deducted damages for non-completion from the next payment. The contractor said this was not allowed because the architect had in the meantime granted an extension. Held: The contract should be construed in … Continue reading Reinwood Ltd v L Brown and Sons Ltd: HL 20 Feb 2008
Challenge to arbitration award on jurisdictional grounds. Citations: [2007] EWHC 1360 (TCC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Construction Updated: 11 July 2022; Ref: scu.258369
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 appellant sought an interim payment for works of construction undertaken for the respondents under a JCT contract. The respondents contended that, having terminated the contract on their receivership, the contract and Act meant that the interim payment was no longer payable. Held: (Neuberger and Mance dissenting) The appeal was allowed. Lord Hoffmann: Parliament had … Continue reading Melville Dundas Ltd and others v George Wimpey UK Ltd and others: HL 25 Apr 2007
The tenant held a secure tenancy of a first floor flat of the Council. She was severely disabled and argued that the danger of injury meant that she should be allowed to occupy the empty ground floor flat. She complained at the way the authority had relied on reports she had not seen. The authority … Continue reading Lambeth London Borough Council v Ireneschild: CA 16 Mar 2007
The court considered the use of medical expert evidence in applications for emergency housing. Citations: [2006] EWCA Civ 1825 Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – Shala and Another v Birmingham City Council CA 27-Jun-2007 The claimants succeeded in their applications for asylum, and then applied for housing assistance. They now appealed … Continue reading Khelassi v London Borough of Brent: CA 7 Dec 2006
The claimant alleged that the defendants had funded the purchase of various properties by secret and unlawful commissions taken by them whilst in power in Pakistan. They sought to recover the proceeds. They now sought permission to serve proceedings on the defendant companies abroad, outside a Lugano Convention country. Held: The claim should proced. ‘There … Continue reading Islamic Republic of Pakistan v Zardari and others: ComC 6 Oct 2006
Judges: Peter Coulson QC Citations: [2006] EWHC 1708 (TCC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants Construction & Regeneration Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Construction, Arbitration Updated: 07 July 2022; Ref: scu.244136
Civil servants had been transferred to a private company. At first they worked under secondment from the civil service. They asserted that they had protection under TUPE and the Acquired Rights Directive. The respondent said that there had only been a transfer over time, so as to diminish their periods of continuous employment. The matter … Continue reading North Wales Training and Enterprise Council Ltd v Astley and others: HL 21 Jun 2006
The appellant had been fostered by the deceased, and on her death continued to live in her house held under a secure tenancy of the respondent. The council sought possession, saying that he was not a member of the deceased’s family within section 113, and that in any event he had not occupied the property … Continue reading Steven We Ping Wall v Sheffield City Council: CA 23 Mar 2006
Judges: Mr Justice Jackson Citations: [2006] EWHC 814 (TCC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 Construction Updated: 05 July 2022; Ref: scu.240450
EAT The claimant had worked as an adviser for the respondent identifying investment opportunities. He said he had been unfairly dismissed after disclosing that the company had overpaid for an investment. He now appealed against a finding that any disclosures were not made in good faith and were not qualifying disclosures. Though his dismissal had … Continue reading Bachnak v Emerging Markets Partnership (Europe) Ltd: EAT 27 Jan 2006
The defendant had been subject to a possession order in respect of his secure tenancy. He was later adjudged bankrupt. He asserted that the bankruptcy specifically prevented other action to enforce the debt, and the suspended possession order was such an enforcement. Held: Where the terms of suspension were expressed so as to indicate that … Continue reading Harlow District Council v Hall: CA 28 Feb 2006
The borough obtained a possession order of the secure tenancy of a flat occupied by their tenant for nuisance. It was suspended on terms for a certain period. They alleged further breaches shortly before the expiry of the possession order and they asked the period to be extended. The tenant did not appear at the … Continue reading Richmond v Kensington and Chelsea: CA 15 Feb 2006
The claimants were dependants of Iraqi nationals killed in Iraq. Held: The Military Police were operating when Britain was an occupying power. The question in each case was whether the Human Rights Act applied to the acts of the defendant. The question amounted to whether the officers acted under State Agent Authority within the convention … Continue reading Regina (on the Application of Mazin Mumaa Galteh Al-Skeini and Others) v The Secretary of State for Defence: CA 21 Dec 2005
The chambers appealed a finding of discrimination, saying that a pupil was not a member of the set so as to qualify under the Act. Held: The barristers set or chambers was a trade organisation, but the position of a pupil barrister was not that of a member of that chambers so as to attract … Continue reading 1 Pump Court Chambers v Horton: EAT 2 Dec 2003
The parties had disputed payments for subcontracting work on a major project. The matter had been referred to arbitration, and the claimants now appealed refusal of leave to appeal the adjudicator’s award. Held: The dispute was complex and substantial. Nevertheless, the adjudicator ‘not only took the initiative in ascertaining the facts but also applied his … Continue reading Carillion Construction Ltd v Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd: CA 16 Nov 2005
Judges: Akenhead J Citations: [2010] EWHC 1409 (TCC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Contract, Construction Updated: 01 July 2022; Ref: scu.416797
Whether or not the collateral warranty relied on by the appellant (‘Abbey’) was a construction contract within the meaning of s.104(1) of the Housing Grants (Construction and Regeneration) Act 1996 Judges: Lord Justice Peter Jackson Lord Justice Coulson And Lord Justice Stuart-Smith Citations: [2022] EWCA Civ 823 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants (Construction and Regeneration) … Continue reading Abbey Healthcare (Mill Hill) Ltd v Simply Construct (UK) Llp: CA 21 Jun 2022
The landlord had obtained a possession order, but the tenant continued in occupation as a tolerated trespasser, claiming entitlement as successors in title. Rent arrears had accrued, but even if the tenant had paid thenm the council would have sought possession. Held: The use of the word ‘rent’ in a letter from Newham was insufficient … Continue reading London Borough of Newham v Hawkins and others: CA 22 Apr 2005
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
What is reasonable provision for daughter? The deceased had left her estate in her will to several animal charities. The claimant, her daughter, had been estranged from her mother for many years, and sought reasonable provision from her estate under the 1975 Act. The district judge had rejected her claim. Held: The appeal by the … Continue reading Ilott v The Blue Cross and Others: SC 15 Mar 2017
The defendant had repudiated the building contract in 2002. The claimant now resisted a request for arbitration, saying the request was an abuse of process after such delay. Held: The defendant’s appeal succeeded. The Arbitration Act explicitly allowed a reference at any time, and there was nothing in the Act to indicate any restrictive interpretation … Continue reading Connex South Eastern Ltd v M J Building Services Group Plc: CA 1 Mar 2005
Application was made to register the ‘trap grounds’ as a village green. Held: Carnwath LJ: ‘The 1965 Act created no new legal status, and no new rights or liabilities other than those resulting from the proper interpretation of section 10. Since that section only takes effect in relation to any particular land on registration, there … Continue reading Oxfordshire County Council v Oxford City Council and Another: CA 24 Feb 2004
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
Alleged bias and procedural unfairness by an adjudicator appointed to determine a dispute in relation to a construction contract. Held: The principles of the common law rules of natural justice and procedural fairness were two-fold. A professional person acting as arbitrator is bound by the principles of natural justice just as would be a judge … Continue reading AMEC Capital Projects Ltd v Whitefriars City Estates Ltd: CA 28 Oct 2004
Parents requested the local authority to make provision for their severely disabled children. The local authority wished when deciding whether to provide adaptations of the house to make allowance for the parents’ financial resources. Held: The defendant authority is correct in its contention that it can lawfully have regard to parental resources when deciding under … Continue reading Spink, Regina (on the Application Of) v Wandsworth Borough Council: Admn 20 Oct 2004
When an appeal was lodged against the decision of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal, it was wrong for that Tribunal later to expand on its reasons, save in exceptional circumstances. Parental preference was not an overriding consideration, given the possible substantial costs of providing education in a special school. The tribunal must strike a balance, … Continue reading Oxfordshire County Council v GB and Others: CA 22 Aug 2001
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 claimant appealed against a decision that she had not been unfairly dismissed. She had been dismissed after complaints by a colleague, but had not been given the opportunity to examine him during the process. Held: An employer was not duty bound to allow an employee subject to a disciplinary hearing to cross examine those … Continue reading Santamera v Express Cargo Forwarding (T/A IEC Ltd): EAT 26 Nov 2002
The claimant had ‘neither pleaded nor shown any damage to him during the course of his employment which resulted from his employer’s conduct. The only damage which is demonstrated is that which followed from his dismissal and, arguably, the manner of his dismissal. That damage if it exists has been held in Johnson to be … Continue reading Boardman v Copeland Borough Council: CA 13 Jun 2001
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 claimant sought damages following his dismissal to include a sum to reflect the manner of his dismissal and the distress caused. Held: The remarks of Lord Hoffmann in Johnson -v- Unysis were obiter. The court could not, under the section, include any element for a non-financial loss, such as injury to feelings arising from … Continue reading Dunnachie v Kingston-upon-Hull City Council: HL 15 Jul 2004
Judges: Keith J Citations: [2004] EWHC 1199 (Admin) Links: Bailii Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – Morris, Regina (on the Application of) v Westminster City Council Admn 13-Oct-2003 . . See Also – Morris, Regina (on the Application of) v Westminster City Council and Another Admn 7-Oct-2004 The applicant questioned the compatibility of … Continue reading Morris, Regina (on the Application Of) v Westminster City Council,: Admn 26 May 2004
An applicant’s immigration status was proper factor in assessing housing need. A Local Authority may look to whether an EC national has right of residence before assessing its own duty to house the applicant. Citations: Gazette 01-Nov-1995, Times 20-Oct-1995, Independent 11-Oct-1995 Statutes: Housing Act 1985 65 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appealed to – Regina … Continue reading Regina v Westminster City Council Ex Parte Castelli; Regina v Same Ex Parte Tristan-Garcia: QBD 11 Oct 1995
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 applicant asylum seeker had had her application refused, and was awaiting a removal order. She had a child and asked the authority to house her pending her removal. Held: Provided she was not in breach of the removal order, the council had power to provide her with assistance. Though the authority had no duty … Continue reading M v London Borough of Islington and Another: CA 2 Apr 2004
An elder child had died, and the local authority felt unable to exculpate either the father or the mother. On the birth of this child all three had been brought in for a residential assessment. First one then another extension was sought. The court found that this service had become therapeutic rather than for assessment, … Continue reading In re G (a Child) (Interim Care order: Residential assessment): CA 27 Jan 2004
A claim was made under the TUPE regulations. The company replied that the part of the business transferred was not a discrete economic entity. Held: The regulations did not require that in order to be governed by the regulations, a business transferred had to be a discrete entity. Judges: Lord Justice May Lord Justice Mummery … Continue reading Fairhurst Ward Abbotts Limited v Botes Building Limited and others: CA 13 Feb 2004
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
The claimant’s child had died as a result of negligence in hospital. The parents had been told the result of police investigation and decision not to prosecute, and the hospital’s own investigation, but had not been sufficiently involved. There remained unresolved suspicions of negligence having been covered up. They had been refused legal aid to … Continue reading Khan, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Health: CA 10 Oct 2003
A surviving same-sex partner sought a right of succession to a tenancy (of their previously shared flat). Interveners ‘pointed out that a growing number of national courts in European and other democratic societies require equal treatment of unmarried different-sex partners and unmarried same-sex partners, and that that view is supported by recommendations and legislation of … Continue reading Karner v Austria: ECHR 24 Jul 2003
The claimant appealed against refusal of judicial review. She had entered the UK, and applied for asylum. She was then found to have contracted a marriage of convenience, and thus become ineligible for support. She appealed and now sought housing assistance pending decision on her removal. The authority refused assistance on the basis that she … Continue reading K v London Borough of Lambeth: CA 31 Jul 2003
Lord Macclesfield claimed a right to occupy a castle. The owners claimed that he had only a mere tenancy at will. The exact rooms in the castle which had been occupied had varied over time. Held: The applicant was entitled to reasonable notice, but all the circumstances of the present case pointed toward the inference … Continue reading Parker v Parker: ChD 24 Jul 2003
The tenant had fallen into arrears, and a possession order had been made. Having cleared the arrears, the possession order fell, but the landlord purported to issue a new tenancy agreement, with no security of tenure. They now sought possession under the new tenancy agreement. The tenant appealed a finding that he no longer enjoyed … Continue reading Swindon Borough Council v Aston: CA 19 Dec 2002
ECHR Judgment (Merits and just satisfaction) Violation of P1-1 ; Violation of Art. 6-1 ; Pecuniary damage – claim rejected ; Non-pecuniary damage – financial award ; Costs and expenses partial award – Convention proceedingsThe claimant had terminated a residential lease in 1990. Enforcement of possession orders was not effective because no police assistance was … Continue reading MC v Italy: ECHR 19 Dec 2002
A chairman of an Industrial Tribunal acting alone had a mandatory obligation to consider whether the decision he was asked to make must be remitted to a full panel. Still, a failure to make such a consideration was an irregularity which did not go as to his jurisdiction to make the decision, and so the … Continue reading The Post Office v Howell: EAT 1 Nov 1999
Parties appealed decisions as whether assured shorthold tenancy notices were valid despite errors. Held: If, notwithstanding errors or omissions, the substance of the notice was sufficiently clear to the reasonable person reading it, then the notice was likely to serve the purpose, and it could be valid. There was not a two stage test of … Continue reading Ravenseft Properties Ltd v Hall; White v Chubb; similar: CA 19 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
In a building dispute, the arbitrator found that the parties had departed from the standard JCT terms, and declined to arbitrate. The parties said that when called upon to act he ‘shall’ do so. The adjudicator had misconstrued his powers. It was clear that there was a proper dispute requiring his decision, and he was … Continue reading Ballast Plc v The Burrell Company (Construction Management) Limited: SCS 21 Jun 2001
A company procuring insurance purchases for credit card protection was as exempt from VAT as was the insurer. A provision which restricted the ability to claim such exemption to those registered as insurers under national was invalid under European Law: ‘it is for the national court to determine . . whether the transactions . . … Continue reading Card Protection Plan Ltd v Commissioners of Customs and Excise: ECJ 25 Feb 1999
The Court considered the nature of the duty owed by local housing authorities to homeless persons under section 193(2) of the Housing Act 1966 (‘the 1996 Act’). That section provides that a local housing authority ‘shall secure that accommodation is available for occupation by the applicant’. Steyn J (‘the Judge’) held that the duty imposed … Continue reading Elkundi, Regina (on The Application of) v Birmingham City Council: CA 4 May 2022
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
A possession action was lawful against a remaining joint tenant after a notice to terminate the tenancy had been given by the other tenant. An order against interference with possession of property did not extend to matters of the duration of the tenancy.Lord Mustill said the Spycatcher injunctions were ‘obviously intended to stop the publication … Continue reading London Borough of Harrow v Johnstone: HL 13 Mar 1997
The plaintiff acquired land on which 27 chalets were erected. They served notice to quit so that the site could be developed. The defendants argued that they had residential tenancies with protection under the Rent Act 1977. Held: The tenants’ appeals succeeded. A built structure becomes part of the land and itself real property, according … Continue reading Elitestone Ltd v Morris and Another: HL 1 May 1997
There were three issues; (1) whether it was proper for the judge to have struck out disrepair proceedings when it could be seen that an application to discharge or rescind a suspended possession order would be likely to succeed (2) whether the secure tenancy revived automatically once it could be seen that the suspended possession … Continue reading Marshall v Bradford Metropolitan District Council: CA 27 Apr 2001
The tenant complained both that her tenancy was a periodic assured tenancy acquired on succession, and that the termination notice given to her was invalid. LSP had granted an assured shorthold tenancy to C, and J was her statutory successor. The notice to terminate gave no date on which the tenancy was to end, but … Continue reading Lower Street Properties Ltd v Jones: CA 1986
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
Judges: Wilcox J Citations: [2010] EWHC 3723 (TCC) Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 104 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Construction Updated: 29 May 2022; Ref: scu.441223
The claimant Union claimed that the defendant should recognise the game of bridge as a sport. The defendant had adopted a definition from Europe which required physical activity, and the Union said that this was a misconstruction of its Royal Charter. The result would substantiallyy affect support for the game. Held: The request for review … Continue reading English Bridge Union Ltd, Regina (on The Application of) v The English Sports Council and Others: Admn 15 Oct 2015
Citations: [1998] EWHC Admin 632 Links: Bailii Statutes: Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 82 Housing, Benefits Updated: 27 May 2022; Ref: scu.138753
The local authority issued a noise nuisance abatement notice. By the time the matter came to the court, the nuisance had been abated. Held: The background situation justifying the issue of a nuisance abatement notice was to be assessed at the date at which it was issued, and not at the later date of a … Continue reading Surrey Free Inns Plc v Gosport Borough Council: Admn 28 Jan 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
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
Prisoners are a section of the public for the purposes of the 1976 Act. The Court increased an award for injury to feelings awarded for race discrimination by prison officers from pounds 50 to pounds 500. The court considered the appropriate level of damages to be awarded in race discrimination cases: ‘damages for this relatively … Continue reading Alexander v Home Office: CA 1988
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 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
The German courts construed a teacher’s duty of loyalty as absolute and owed equally by every civil servant, regardless of his or her function and rank under national law. Every civil servant, whatever his or her own opinion on the matter, must unambiguously renounce all groups and movements which the competent authorities hold to be … Continue reading Vogt v Germany: ECHR 1 Nov 1995
Contractors had been called upon to carry out work beyond that originally requested, and sought payment, and had arrested a payment in the hands of a third party. Before raising the action they had referred the matter to adjudication under the Act. Held: The fact of the reference did not change the fact of the … Continue reading Stiell Ltd v Riema Control Systems Ltd: IHCS 28 Jun 2000
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
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
An adjudicator who acts under the Scheme upon the written submission of the parties and without any oral hearing was not able to consider making an order for payment of the award by installments where neither party had raised that issue in their written submissions. He was not required by the scheme to consider such … Continue reading Allied London and Scottish Properties Plc v Riverbrae Construction Ltd: OHCS 12 Nov 1999
A local authority was liable for nuisance for damage (cracks to house) caused by tree roots once it could be shown that it knew of the soil condition, by virtue of the council’s own warnings to residents of the danger in the area meant that the damage was foreseeable. The council was not liable for … Continue reading Paterson and Another v Humberside County Council: QBD 19 Apr 1995
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
The claimants sought to have land belonging to the council registered as a village green to prevent it being developed. They said that it had for more than twenty years been used by the community for various sports. The council replied that it had managed a golf course on the land without objection from the … Continue reading Lewis, Regina (on The Application of) v Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Another: SC 3 Mar 2010
The respondent had obtained registration of land, Bachelors’ Acre, a grassed area of land in New Windsor, now used as a car park in the register of town and village greens under the Act as a customary green. It had been used for archery in mediaeval times and had later been leased for grazing subject … Continue reading New Windsor Corporation v Mellor: CA 1975
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
Protection was sought under the 1954 Act for premises where the relevant occupation was partly residential and partly for the purposes of a business. Held: The Act will apply so long as the business activity is a significant purpose of occupation. It must be more than incidental. The business occupation must exist both at the … Continue reading Cheryl Investments v Saldanha: CA 1978
An eighteen year old girl had been sexually assaulted, was unable to return home, had been expelled from a hostel for suspected theft and was said to be at risk of further sexual assault if not provided with suitable accommodation. She sought housing as a vulnerable person. Held: The court pointed out the dangers of … Continue reading Wilson v Nithsdale District Council: 1992
When the decision of an adjudicator was challenged, the court should ask whether the adjudicator had either asked the right question but in the wrong way, or whether he had even answered the wrong question. The procedure was intended to provide a quick and summary disposal, but that procedure might not be appropriate in cases … Continue reading Bouygues (Uk) Ltd v Dahl-Jensen (Uk) Ltd (In Liquidation): CA 17 Aug 2000
Application for leave to appeal against homelessness decision – refused. Judges: Arden and Gage LJJ Citations: [2007] EWCA Civ 1169 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Cited – London Borough of Wandsworth v Allison CA 15-Apr-2008 The claimant had applied for emergency housing, saying that he had suffered a deep vein thrombosis, and was vulnerable … Continue reading Harper v Oxford City Council: CA 2007
The house was asked whether it might be correct to stay criminal proceedings as an abuse where for delay. The defendants were prisoners in a prison riot in 1998. The case only came on for trial in 2001, when they submitted that the delay was an abuse. Held: The defendants had a right to a … Continue reading Attorney-General’s Reference (No 2 of 2001): HL 11 Dec 2003
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
The House was asked whether the 1971 Act permitted the relevant authorities, by resort to their development plans, to support the retention of traditional industries or was the ambit of the Act such as to permit only ‘land use’ aims to be pursued? The court considered also the relevance of personal considerations in planning matters. … Continue reading Westminster City Council v Great Portland Estates plc: HL 31 Oct 1984
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
(Redacted) The court was asked to consider the meaning of ‘torture’ from events in a rebellion in Liberia in 1990. The CACD certified the following point of law of general public importance: ‘What is the correct interpretation of the term ‘person acting in an official capacity’ in section 134(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988; … Continue reading Taylor, Regina v: SC 13 Nov 2019
The court considered to what extent it could look to the form of an Act before it was amended in order to assist it in construing the Act as amended: ‘The original section 21(a) of the [Coroners (Amendment) Act] 1926 is no longer law, since it has been replaced by Section 23(3) of the Births … Continue reading Regina v Greater Manchester Council ex parte Worch: 1988