Social Welfare Lawyers in the Centre of Birmingham

Gypsy and Traveller News

Roadside Gypsies and Travellers During the Pandemic Part 3

Posted by clp-admin Gypsy and Traveller News, Traveller unauthorised encampment eviction

Merritt v Thurrock Council & Midos Management Chelmsford County Court, 8 January 2021

Since soon after the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, letters from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Welsh Government have indicated that local authorities should attempt not to evict Gypsies and Travellers or should seek to identify alternative locations and should also look to provide services such as water, sanitation and refuse collection (see Issues Nos 50 and 51 of TAT News: https://www.communitylawpartnership.co.uk/noticeboard/links/tat-news).
The case of Merritt, albeit not concerning a Traveller, has effectively re-emphasised this message.

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Roadside Gypsies and Travellers During the Pandemic Part 1

Posted by clp-admin Gypsy and Traveller News

CLP were commissioned by Friends, Families and Travellers to produce a report (funded by the Baring Foundation) into the situation of roadside Gypsies and Travellers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report centres on law and guidance as it applies to unauthorised encampments, evictions and service provision.

See the report here: https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Legal-briefing-22.2.2021.pdf
For the webinar delivered on this matter on 27 October 2020 see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk35x0qvIas&feature=youtu.be

Into the Sea? Wide Injunctions

Posted by clp-admin Gypsy and Traveller News, Traveller other

London Borough of Enfield v Persons Unknown [2020] EWHC 2717 (QB)

Ever since 2015 when Harlow Council obtained a wide injunction against ‘persons unknown’ camping on a large number of parcels of land, Gypsies, Travellers and their supporters have been concerned at the slow but sure spread of these injunctions. If every local authority in England obtained such an injunction where would Gypsies and Travellers who have no place to stop (due to the failure of the very same local authorities to provide pitches, both permanent and transit),  go? Into the sea?

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Harlow Council withdraw injunction against Traveller camps

Posted by clp-admin Gypsy and Traveller News

On Friday 10th July 2020, Gypsy and Traveller campaign organisations celebrated at news that Harlow District Council have withdrawn their injunction against Traveller camps. In 2015, Harlow District Council and Essex County Council were the first local authorities to obtain an injunction protecting vast swathes of land in their areas against unauthorised encampments. Harlow District Council, with Essex County Council no longer taking an active part in the matter, sought variation of the injunction to continue it beyond its final date at a virtual hearing before Mrs. Justice Tipples on Friday 10th July 2020.

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CLP write to Lord Chancellor re Evictions

Posted by clp-admin Gypsy and Traveller News

After writing to the Lord Chancellor about evictions of Gypsies and Travellers during lockdown, CLP have received a very unsatisfactory response. Please see the link below for the two letters.  However our interpretation of the recent English and Welsh Guidance in the light of COVID-19 is that either evictions should not happen or suitable alternative locations should be identified. See our two TAT News E Bulletins on both sets of guidance:https://www.communitylawpartnership.co.uk/noticeboard/links/tat-news

 

Attachments

Total Attachments: 2

LordChancellorG&TLetter 300320 (23 KB) LordChancellorG&TLetter 140520 (103 KB)