Problems with the benefits system's 'mandatory reconsideration' process frequently block access to social security appeal rights. The decision in Dawod v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions clears away one of those blocks. Follow this link for judgment: gcnchambers.co.uk/tom-royston-...

Tom Royston appears in breakthrough Upper Tribunal appeal of universal credit award and housing cost provisions - Garden Court North Chambers

The Upper Tribunal allowed an appeal on universal credit entitlement with implications for social security claimants’ access to justice.

gcnchambers.co.uk

WAAAH! I can't believe I'm typing this - but I have a book contract for a non-fiction book for a general audience with @brisunipress.bsky.social to challenge damaging rhetoric about immigration and welfare, arguing that xenophobic law-making goes hand-in-hand with punishing the poor and hurts us all

*Job opportunity* We're looking for someone to lead our strategic legal work, using legal cases to benefit families and children in poverty. Please share with anyone who might be interested: cpag.org.uk/jobs/current...

The Strasbourg court has found NO VIOLATION of the Convention in the benefits cap challenge: hudoc.echr.coe.int?i=001-249132

Lewis Graham@lewisgrahamlaw.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Next Tuesday (17 March) the European Court of Human Rights will finally hand down the case of DA and RA v United Kingdom, on whether the "benefit cap" in force at the time breached Article 14 ECHR. 1/4

Council admits discrimination after DWP ‘migration’ left disabled couple with £1,500 tax bill #DWP #CouncilTax #UniversalCredit @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social www.disabilitynewsservice.com/council-admi...

Council admits discrimination after DWP ‘migration’ left disabled couple with £1,500 tax bill

A local authority has admitted discriminating against a disabled couple who were left with a significant new council tax bill after they were forced to move onto universal credit. The legal victory…

disabilitynewsservice.com

In a judicial review claim brought against Three Rivers District Council by two of its residents, the High Court on Monday declared that the local authority’s scheme for calculating low income residents’ council tax liability unlawfully discriminated against them. gcnchambers.co.uk/three-rivers...

Council tax reduction scheme unlawfully discriminated against Universal Credit claimants - Garden Court North Chambers

Garden Court North's Tom Royston represented the two Three Rivers residents in their claim against the local authority.

gcnchambers.co.uk

Disabled Somerset resident granted permission to challenge council tax reduction scheme in High Court @leigh-day.bsky.social www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69654

New Year Pop Quiz: Which of the 6 million + people with EU Settlement Scheme status has documentary confirmation that they are residing on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement? Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?

The Supreme Court has allowed DWP's appeal in Jwanczuk. As well as addressing ECHR discrimination issues, it gives guidance on how courts in one part of the UK should approach judgments from courts in other parts on legislation of common application caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/uksc/2025/42

Public Law Project@publiclawproject.bsky.social · 11mo ago

“This is a dark day for anyone like me, who wants the memory of their loved one to be respected & valued equally.” - Daniel Jwanczuk on today’s Supreme Court ruling on Bereavement Support Payment in favour of the DWP publiclawproject.org.uk/latest/supre...

Our next conference will be in the beautiful city of York on Fri 5th December. Hosted by the Welfare Benefits Unit. Free for members only. nawra.org.uk/join

In AP v SSWP [2025] UKUT 330 (AAC) UT comments on common practice of DWP decision makers in Universal Credit of stating a claimant is not entitled to seek mandatory reconsideration of a decision because it is "policy" (typically that happens when challenge involves interpretation of a rule) (1 of 5)

The Upper Tribunal has clarified jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal in cases involving late applications for revision & appeals following “any time” grounds in TR and GD v SSWP [2025] UKUT 332 (AAC). Paul Skinner was involved in the case. More: ow.ly/JgBf50XjzLa

In the Upper Tribunal next week, GCN's @tomroyston.bsky.social is representing ex-England football captain David Watson in his legal fight for Alzheimer's and CTE to be recognised as industrial diseases. www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...

Ex-England captain's legal fight for toll on his health

Former England football captain David Watson is fighting to have his neurological condition recognised as the result of head injuries during his career.

leighday.co.uk

Garden Court North's @tomroyston.bsky.social represented the two women, who earlier today won their High Court judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful and discriminatory tax reduction scheme, which left them and many other residents with massive bills. gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...

Trafford Council’s tax reduction scheme quashed following High Court legal challenge - Garden Court North Chambers

Two women have today won their judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful tax reduction scheme in the High Court.

gcnchambers.co.uk

Really important High Court decision today, quashing a local authority’s council tax reduction scheme. The judgment contains many lessons about these schemes. Trafford's scheme was ultra vires, irrational, and unlawfully discriminatory, and breached the PSED @rightsnet.org.uk @nawra.bsky.social

The Court of Appeal gave permission to appeal in this case on 15 September 2025. Full hearing probably later this year/early next.

Tom Royston@tomroyston.bsky.social · last yr.

High Court today dismisses judicial review challenge to operation of the 'rape clause' in the two child limit. Exempting non-consensually conceived children if they are born third or later, but not if they are born first or second, is lawful. Claimants seeking permission to appeal.

For the latest news and ideas from the front line in social welfare law, Garden Court North Chambers is now on Bluesky @gcnchambers.bsky.social - follow now, while stocks last!

High Court today dismisses judicial review challenge to operation of the 'rape clause' in the two child limit. Exempting non-consensually conceived children if they are born third or later, but not if they are born first or second, is lawful. Claimants seeking permission to appeal.

Proposed disability benefit changes would decrease number of people exempted from benefit cap. End of two child limit, if it happens (+any annual benefit rate increases) would increase number affected by benefit cap. In combination, could make benefit cap a *lot* more significant in years to come

amateurfoi.bsky.social@amateurfoi.bsky.social · last yr.

Benefit cap could see countless PIP claimants left homeless after cuts, but DWP has no idea how many www.disabilitynewsservice.com/benefit-cap-... via @johnpring.bsky.social

We're in the Court of Appeal today - defending EU citizens' rights to live with dignity. 👩🏾‍⚖️ This case is about achieving equal welfare access for people with pre-settled status - with no unfair barriers. www.crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citi...

Help us defend EU citizens’ rights to live with dignity

the3million is the largest grassroots organisation for EU citizens in the UK, formed after the 2016 referendum to protect the rights of people who have made the UK their home.

crowdjustice.com

Are the EU free movement rules wildly out of step with the new realities of work? My new book, the MARKET CITIZENSHIP ILLUSION answers this by looking at the law in action – and it is available now to *everyone for free*! www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do... 🧵on key arguments... (1/10)

Come and join us for our 50th anniversary summit and celebration. Link below.

National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers (NAWRA)@nawra.bsky.social · last yr.

www.nawra.org.uk/2025/03/nawr...

DWP figures in response to FOI request indicate 87% of claimants currently receiving PIP daily living component at standard rate, and 13% of claimants receiving enhanced rate are likely to lose their entitlement if “score 4” changes go ahead. That means virtually everyone on standard rate PIP.

Martin Bonner@argentas.bsky.social · 2y ago

I have submitted an FOI request to try and find out how many of those currently receiving PIP (personal independence payment) may lose their entitlement under the new rules: www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/pers...

Admin Court today: claimant challenges the DWP’s refusal to pay Universal Credit using common law powers, after supporting his child’s cancer treatment abroad. Raises key questions about state discretion & welfare. @jogilvieharris.bsky.social is instructed by North West London Law Centres.

Amending regs to the legal aid Remuneration regs now out and take effect from 1 May 2025. Reintroduces an escape fee for Welfare Benefits legal aid casework. Very pleased to have played a role in bringing about this change. www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/41...

Extraordinary use of statistics. DWP might as well claim their proposals will massively improve child mortality because they have decided not to proceed with Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. The ‘previous Conservative plans’ are not in effect, are not law, and the Conservatives are not in power!

Iain Porter@iainkporter.bsky.social · 2y ago

In summary: The 250k net poverty rise in impact assessment is extra to an assumed 150k rise that previous Conservative plans would have created - even they never happened. But DWP has assumed that increase was already on the books and added to it. Real poverty impact is 400k. 7/7

How many UK Supreme Court judges do you think ever acted as lawyers for a claimant in a social security case? ZERO. *Extremely nervous* to announce this rather bolshy ('somewhat contentious' and 'robust in tone') piece in the JSSL. I argue there is a 'professional diversity deficit' in UKSC, AND...

The other way to look at the proposal to time limit all working age contributory benefit is that it would not just weaken but *completely abolish* what has for many years been (after retirement pension) the second most important part of the state contributory benefit system.

Tom Clark@tom-clark.bsky.social · 2y ago

This has, understandably, been overshadowed by far bigger developments But this is interesting because, barring pensions, contributory social insurance has only ever been weakened in my years of watching these things. I’m not sure it’s ever been strengthened since the late 60s

One of the joys of the LALYs is being able to celebrate coalface legal aid lawyers who have never previously received (or sought) recognition. If you know one of those, do make a nomination (deadline 22 April). All the info you need is here: lapg.co.uk/wp-content/u...

Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards@lalyawards.bsky.social · 2y ago

This 100000000000% 😍 Thank you, Sian.

Homelessness Code of Guidance updated to reflect the Court of Appeal’s judgment in AT More: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61425