We are delighted to welcome Joanna Thom who starts her pupillage with us today. Joanna has a BA (Hons) in History from Durham University. She obtained a Very Competent in her BPTC at The University of Law and a Distinction in her GDL.
Housing news
We welcome applications from talented barristers with expertise in our core practice areas: Family, Housing, Property, Business, Public law and Court of Protection.
Yesterday, in an important judgment in Rakusen v Jepson & Ors, the Court of Appeal found that a superior landlord is unable to be a respondent to an application for a rent repayment order where the property is an unlicensed HMO.
Jonathan Pennington Legh acted recently in a case concerning Japanese knotweed. As Japanese knotweed seems to be becoming more prevalent, he considers how the related legislation impacts landowners particularly local authorities or other bodies (eg railway companies) and practical steps for them to take.
Emma Godfrey acted for the successful local authority in the Court of Appeal case of Patel v London Borough of Hackney [2021] EWCA Civ 897. Judgment has now been handed down.
The stay on residential evictions came to an end yesterday (31 May 2021). From today (1 June), notice periods previously set at 6 months, are now reduced to 4 months.
In Taylor & Longfield Real Estate Ltd v Burton [2021] EWHC 1454 (Admin) the High Court has summarised the principles that magistrates should adopt when considering what compensation to award the tenant who has successfully established a statutory nuisance for bringing the case.
Sarah Salmon considers the High Court’s decision on 20 April 2021 in Zoe Allen v London Borough of Ealing [2021] EWHC 948 (Admin).
Alexander Campbell reviews the High Court judgment in Melars Group Ltd v East-West Logistics LLP. The case indicates that relief from sanctions may be granted where a party has breached a court-imposed deadline and that deadline, even if agreed by consent between the parties, was unrealistic from the start.
The Court of Appeal has confirmed that where a local authority makes a homelessness review decision late, that decision is valid notwithstanding its lateness.