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Court of Appeal finds the definition of Gypsy and Traveller discriminatory against the elderly and disabled

The Court of Appeal has allowed our client’s appeal having concluded that the planning policy definition of ‘Gypsies and Travellers’ adopted by the government in 2015 discriminated against elderly and disabled members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities, by requiring them to demonstrate that they...

Asylum Centre accommodation hearing reveals secret plan

Two local councils and local resident Gabriel Clarke-Holland are in the High Court today arguing that the Home Office’s plan to use former military bases to house asylum-seekers is unlawful. But just before the hearing, our client discovered that the Home Secretary has a secret plan to bypass planning controls and go ahead with the centres for three years, by putting a Special Development Order before Parliament.

Stephen Knafler QC Scholarship launched for refugee bar students

A year ago this week (on 24 October 2020) Stephen Knafler QC tragically died, well before his time. Stephen worked with DPG on many cases involving migrants’ access to healthcare and housing. He also co-wrote the LAG “Support for Asylum Seekers and Other Migrants” Handbook...

Afghans awaiting transfer to UK – Judicial Review

The High Court is today (27 October 2023) sitting for an unusual fourth hearing in just over two weeks in a judicial review brought by 2 Afghan families

Afghans awaiting transfer to the UK – Judicial Review

The High Court is today (17 October 2023) hearing a judicial review brought by 2 Afghan families who have received offers of protection from the UK government under its Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy ("ARAP") scheme, but who have been housed in hotels in Pakistan awaiting transfer to the UK for nearly a year.

Portland Mayor takes Dorset Council to Court over the Bibby Stockholm barge

Our client, Carralyn Parkes, has issued a further judicial review claim in the High Court challenging the ongoing decision by Dorset Council that it has no planning jurisdiction over the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland Harbour. Our client is seeking a determination by the Court...

Home Office in major U turn agrees to Article 3-compliant investigation by PPO into abuse at Brook House IRC

Home Office back down and agree to appointment of PPO to undertake independent Article 3-compliant investigation into abuse of detainees at Brook House IRC.

Home Office unlawfully refused to grant recourse to public funds to destitute mother

The High Court declared that the Home Office can remove the NRPF condition from leave to remain that has been granted other than on the family route (e.g. student visas)

Inquest opens into death of Shane Bryant during police restraint

Shane Bryant died on 15 July 2017, following restraint by Leicestershire police and members of the public two days earlier. Shane had been involved in an attempted robbery of a shop in North West Leicestershire. A number of people, including an off-duty police officer, intervened...

High Court hears Judicial Review of Child Maintenance Service Failings

A judicial review of the Child Maintenance Service – the government programme responsible for the collection and payment of child maintenance

DPG clients interviewed for BBC investigation uncovering police camera misuse

This week our clients’ Louisa and Yufial featured in a BBC report on police officers’ misuse of body-worn video. The two-year BBC investigation uncovered more than 150 reports of camera misuse by forces in England and Wales including police officers switching off their body-worn cameras...

PERMISSION HEARING ON 10 OCTOBER 2023 IN JUDICIAL REVIEW CHALLENGING THE USE OF THE BIBBY STOCKHOLM BARGE AT PORTLAND, DORSET

On 8 September 2023, Carralyn Parkes, a local resident, issued a judicial review claim challenging the Home Secretary’s use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to accommodate asylum-seekers at Portland Port in Dorset, without obtaining planning permission. Although Ms Parkes is a Portland Town Councillor and...