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Westminster City Council v National Asylum Support Service: HL 17 Oct 2002

The applicant sought assistance from the local authority. He suffered from spinal myeloma, was destitute and an asylum seeker. Held: Although the Act had withdrawn the obligation to provide assistance for many asylum seekers, those who were infirm and whose infirmity was not a consequence of their destitution, had not been excluded. Only able bodied … Continue reading Westminster City Council v National Asylum Support Service: HL 17 Oct 2002

Regina v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (ex parte Kujtim): CA 31 Mar 1999

A person had been assessed by the local authority under section 47 as being a person in urgent need of care and attention which was not otherwise available to him, so that he satisfied the criteria laid down in section 21(1)(a). He claimed that, following that assessment, the local authority had to meet these needs … Continue reading Regina v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (ex parte Kujtim): CA 31 Mar 1999

M, Regina (on the Application of) v Slough Borough Council: Admn 27 Apr 2004

The claimant, a Zimbabwean, was subject to immigration control. He was HIV positive, and sought assistance from the authority under the 1948 Act. The authority replied that his needs did not reach such a level as to require assistance under the section. Held: The claim succeeded. The fact that medication and regular medical attention were … Continue reading M, Regina (on the Application of) v Slough Borough Council: Admn 27 Apr 2004

Slough Borough Council v M, Regina (on the Application Of): CA 25 May 2006

The claimant was subject to immigration control. He sought assistance under the 1948 Act on the basis that he suffered HIV. The authority appealed an order requiring them to provide assistance on the basis that he need for medication brought him within the section. Held: The authority’s appeal was dismissed. Care and attention could extend … Continue reading Slough Borough Council v M, Regina (on the Application Of): CA 25 May 2006

SL, Regina (on The Application of) v City of Westminster Council: Admn 15 Nov 2010

Application for permission to seek judicial review of a decision in a letter from the Council’s solicitor, to refuse to accommodate the claimant pursuant to duties under section 21(1)(a) of the National Assistance Act 1948. Held: The claim failed. Important as was the social work support to SL’s well being, it did not amount to … Continue reading SL, Regina (on The Application of) v City of Westminster Council: Admn 15 Nov 2010

Regina (Bernard and Another) v Enfield Borough Council: Admn 25 Oct 2002

The claimants were husband and wife. They had six children. The wife was severely disabled and confined to a wheelchair. The defendant Council provided the family with a small house but in breach, as they ultimately accepted, of section 21(1) (a) of the National Assistance Act, failed to provide the family with accommodation suited to … Continue reading Regina (Bernard and Another) v Enfield Borough Council: Admn 25 Oct 2002

Bernard, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Enfield: Admn 25 Oct 2002

The claimants were husband and wife. They had six children. The wife was severely disabled and confined to a wheelchair. In breach of their duty under section 21(1)(a) of the 1948 Act, the respondent council failed for some 20 months to provide the family with accommodation suited to her disability. The consequences were appalling. The … Continue reading Bernard, Regina (on the Application of) v London Borough of Enfield: Admn 25 Oct 2002

Lambeth London Borough Council v Ireneschild: CA 16 Mar 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

Regina (Heather and Another) v Leonard Cheshire Foundation: CA 21 Mar 2002

The appellants appealed rejection of their application for judicial review. They were long term residents in a nursing home, which the respondents had decided to close. Held: Though the respondent did exercise some public functions, and its activities were in part paid for by public authorities, its activity of providing residential accommodation was not a … Continue reading Regina (Heather and Another) v Leonard Cheshire Foundation: CA 21 Mar 2002

Wahid v London Borough of Tower Hamlets: CA 7 Mar 2002

Gilliatt The appellant suffered from schizophrenia. He was refused permission to apply for judicial review and for orders requiring the local authority not just to provide suitable accommodation but better accommodation as a person in need of care and attention under s 21(1) of the National Assistance Act 1948. The court decided that in a … Continue reading Wahid v London Borough of Tower Hamlets: CA 7 Mar 2002

Regina v Westminster City Council ex parte A, London Borough of Lambeth ex parte X and similar: CA 17 Feb 1997

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

Regina v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea ex parte Muriqi Kujtim: Admn 31 Mar 1999

A local authority’s duty to an asylum seeker to provide the basics of life, did not extend to a third re-housing attempt after the applicant had twice been evicted for the use of violence and breaches of house rules. Citations: Times 20-Apr-1999, [1999] EWHC Admin 285, (1999) 2 CCLR 340 Links: Bailii Statutes: National Assistance … Continue reading Regina v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea ex parte Muriqi Kujtim: Admn 31 Mar 1999

Regina v Secretary of State for Health Ex Parte Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council and Others: QBD 31 Jul 1997

Provision to asylum seekers denied other benefits of board and lodging must be in kind and not in cash Citations: Times 31-Jul-1997 Statutes: National Assistance Act 1948 21(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Cited by: Appeal from – Regina v Secretary of State for Health ex parte Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council and Others CA … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Health Ex Parte Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council and Others: QBD 31 Jul 1997

Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council Ex Parte M etc: CA 17 Feb 1997

The court recognised the potential role of local authorities under section 21(1)(a) in meeting the needs of those seeking asylum and otherwise, but having benefits withheld pending determination of their claims. Asylum seekers who had been excluded from the benefits system are to be supported by the local authority. Judges: Lord Woolf MR, Waite, Henry … Continue reading Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council Ex Parte M etc: CA 17 Feb 1997

Regina (Khan) v Oxfordshire County Council: QBD 4 Oct 2002

The applicant sought review of the authority’s decision not to offer her housing. She was subject to immigration control. She had been the victim of domestic violence and of abduction. Held: The authority could provide assistance under either Act, unless prohibited by statute. The limitation in the 1948 statute did apply to restrict the authority’s … Continue reading Regina (Khan) v Oxfordshire County Council: QBD 4 Oct 2002

Regina v Secretary of State for Health ex parte Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council and Others: CA 9 Sep 1998

The provision by Local Authorities of assistance to destitute asylum seekers had to be by direct help and not by way of cash or cash substitutes (vouchers). Citations: Times 09-Sep-1998 Statutes: National Assistance Act 1948 21(1) Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – Regina v Secretary of State for Health Ex Parte Hammersmith and … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Health ex parte Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council and Others: CA 9 Sep 1998

Regina (Zarzour) v Hillingdon London Borough Council: CA 2009

The applicant Z awaited a decision on his asylum claim. He was blind, and needed help with dressing and laundry, with finding his way around his accommodation, and with shopping; he could not go out safely on his own. The judge upheld his claim to judicial review of the refusal to provide assistance under the … Continue reading Regina (Zarzour) v Hillingdon London Borough Council: CA 2009

Regina v Lambeth London Borough Council ex parte Sarhangi: QBD 9 Dec 1998

Where someone entered the UK with permission but overstayed, was imprisoned and ordered to be deported, but could not for some reason leave despite being willing, that person was not dis-entitled to receive residential assistance under the Act. Citations: Times 09-Dec-1998 Statutes: National Assistance Act 1948 21(1) Benefits Updated: 09 April 2022; Ref: scu.87106

M, Regina (on the Application of) v Slough Borough Council: HL 30 Jul 2008

The House was asked ‘whether a local social services authority is obliged, under section 21(1)(a) of the 1948 Act, to arrange (and pay for) residential accommodation for a person subject to immigration control who is HIV positive but whose only needs, other than for a home and subsistence, are for medication prescribed by his doctor … Continue reading M, Regina (on the Application of) v Slough Borough Council: HL 30 Jul 2008

Regina (on the Application of Mani) v London Borough of Lambeth: CA 9 Jul 2003

Where a destitute and disabled asylum seeker had a clear need for care and attention, the local authority had a duty to provide it. The claimant was an asylum seeker, with impaired mobility and a history of mental halth difficulties. At first he was provided accommodation by NASS, but was unhappy with it and sought … Continue reading Regina (on the Application of Mani) v London Borough of Lambeth: CA 9 Jul 2003

SL v Westminster City Council and Others: CA 10 Aug 2011

The claimant sought judicial review of the Council’s rejection of his request for assistance under the 1948 Act. He was a failed asylum seeker, who having been destitute, had become mentally ill. Held: The applicant’s appeal succeeded. As to the conclusion of the court below on the care and attention issue, Laws LJ said: ‘The … Continue reading SL v Westminster City Council and Others: CA 10 Aug 2011

Nassery, Regina (on The Application of) v London Borough of Brent: CA 11 May 2011

The court was asked whether the judge was in error or not in refusing to set aside the decision of the respondent local authority, the London Borough of Brent that the appellant was not entitled to support under section 21(1) of the 1948 Act which enables a local authority to provide accommodation for a person … Continue reading Nassery, Regina (on The Application of) v London Borough of Brent: CA 11 May 2011

Steane v Chief Adjudication Officer and Another: HL 8 Aug 1996

Since no payments had been made by the Local Authority for care, a care home resident was entitled to claim Attendance Allowance.Occupant of residential home paying charges himself may get attendance allowance. Citations: Gazette 09-Oct-1996, Times 08-Aug-1996, [1996] 1 WLR 1195 Statutes: National Assistance Act 1948 26 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: Appeal from – … Continue reading Steane v Chief Adjudication Officer and Another: HL 8 Aug 1996

Regina v Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council, ex parte M; Regina v Similar Ex Parte P etc: QBD 8 Oct 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

Regina v Wandsworth London Borough Council, Ex Parte O; Leicester City Council, Ex Parte Bhikha: CA 7 Sep 2000

The applicants were immigrants awaiting determination of their applications for exceptional leave to remain, and who came to suffer from serious illness. Each applied for and was refused assistance from their local authority. Held: The refusals were unlawful. Where circumstances of need arose over and above needs arising from lack of accommodation and funds, then … Continue reading Regina v Wandsworth London Borough Council, Ex Parte O; Leicester City Council, Ex Parte Bhikha: CA 7 Sep 2000

Chief Adjudication Officer and Another v Quinn (For Jane Harris) and Another: HL 9 Oct 1996

LT Applicable amount – local authority accommodation leased to voluntary organisations – whether claimants are ‘persons in residential accommodation’ or are living in ‘residential care homes’ Judges: Lord Keith, Lord Mustill, Lord Slynn of Hadley, Lord Nicholls of Birkenhead and Lord Hope of Craighead Citations: Gazette 09-Oct-1996, Times 08-Aug-1996, [1996] UKSSCSC CIS – 298 – … Continue reading Chief Adjudication Officer and Another v Quinn (For Jane Harris) and Another: HL 9 Oct 1996

Regina v Westminster City Council and others ex parte M, P, A and X: CA 1997

Destitute asylum-seekers could derive benefit from section 21. Held: ‘The destitute condition to which asylum-seekers can be reduced as a result of the 1996 Act coupled with the period of time which, despite the Secretary of State’s best efforts, elapses before their applications are disposed of means inevitably that they can fall within a class … Continue reading Regina v Westminster City Council and others ex parte M, P, A and X: CA 1997

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 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

McDonald, Regina (on The Application of) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: SC 6 Jul 2011

The claimant, a former prima ballerina, had suffered injury as she grew old. She came to suffer a condition requiring her to urinate at several points during each night. The respondent had been providing a carer to stay with her each night to provide the assistance neceesary to access the commode. The claimant now appealed … Continue reading McDonald, Regina (on The Application of) v Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea: SC 6 Jul 2011

SL v Westminster City Council: SC 9 May 2013

The applicant for assistance from the respondent Council under the 1948 Act was a destitute, homeless failed asylum seeker. He had been admitted to hospital for psychiatric care, but the Council had maintained that his condition was part of and derived from his destitution, and that they had no obligation to assist. He had failed … Continue reading SL v Westminster City Council: SC 9 May 2013