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Genevieve Screeche-Powell and Clare Cullen represented the local authority in the case of  Moge v London Borough of Ealing [2023] EWCA Civ 464. The Court of Appeal held that the local authority complied with its duty to accommodate as far as reasonably practicable in its area.

Nikolas Clarke represented a local authority in an Article 2 jury inquest concerning the death by suicide of SH, a 17 year-old boy. SH had a history of emotional, drug and alcohol issues and had been accommodated by the local authority from the age of 15. However, he was difficult to engage. The family were critical of social services’ care.

Joshua Swirsky is acting for the London Borough of Lambeth in a legal challenge to its practice of accommodating some homeless 16–17-year-olds under the Housing Act 1996. A High Court judge has granted permission for a 17-year-old (RW) to bring full judicial review proceedings against the local authority’s practice.

Miles Croally acted for a wife who successfully defended her husband’s trustees in bankruptcy’s claim about his share in the matrimonial home. The couple had previously agreed to reallocate equitable shares in the co-owned matrimonial home from 50%-50% to 98%-2% in favour of the wife. The trustees in bankruptcy applied under section 339 of the Insolvency Act 1986 claiming the transaction had been at an undervalue.

Savannah Laurent represented pro bono a father at the final hearing in private law children proceedings. He successfully secured an order to have contact with his 13-year-old child after several years of not seeing him.

Barry McAlinden acted for a mother in private law children proceedings. Following her allegations against her ex-partner, the court made findings of physical abuse and coercive control, which were sent to the CPS. The father was charged with assault and coercive control and argued the child law proceedings should be adjourned as he would be unable to address the findings of fact as he would have to exercise his privilege against self-incrimination (in respect of the related criminal proceedings).

The Court of Appeal will consider out-of-area placements and enquiries when a local authority is ending the homelessness relief duty using private rented sector accommodation.

Joshua Swirsky defended the successful local authority in a judicial review about its withdrawal of funding of temporary accommodation. The case considered how a local authority’s obligations under the Care Act 2014 interact with its obligations under Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996.