Al Ahmed v The Mayor and Burgesses of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets 2020

Summary
A County Court Judge allowed an appellant permission to appeal out of time where he had difficulty finding a solicitor. The council appealed to a High Court Judge who allowed the appeal and held that a homeless person could be expected to issue a Section 204 Appeal on their own without any legal assistance. This disgraceful and out of touch judgment was overturned by the Court of Appeal.

This is the Statement of Polly Neate from Shelter which was used in the Court of Appeal.

Law Reports

Bailii

Articles About The Case

Law Society Gazette - Unrepresented homeless litigant granted leniency

Local Government Lawyer - Applicant wins Court of Appeal battle over whether difficulty finding legal advisers was “good reason” for delay in homelessness appeal