Successful Judicial Review

Eleri Griffiths successfully represented the mother of a grooming victim in her claim for judicial review challenging the suitability of interim accommodation for the client and her family under section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996 and the authority’s failure to conduct and keep under review a lawful housing needs assessment and personalised housing plan.

The claim was brought urgently due to the ongoing risk to the client’s family of further exploitation, grooming and serious violence. The client’s child had become a victim of grooming, and several professional bodies had supported an urgent move for several months. The child’s mental health was fast deteriorating.

The claim raised additional issues over compliance with the Children’s Act 2004 duties and the authority’s compliance with its prevention of serious violence duty under Part 2 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and exploitation prevention strategy. The Court anonymised both parties.

Upon issue, the authority immediately agreed to move the client after several months of delay and agreed to recognise several key housing and support needs of the family and pay the client’s costs.

Eleri was instructed by Josie Hicklin at Bhatia Best Solicitors.