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Landmark care challenge

21 September 2022
Issue: 7995 / Categories: Legal News , Human rights , Local government , Child law
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A former looked-after child can bring a human rights claim against council authorities for failing to remove him from the care of his mother soon enough, the Court of Appeal has agreed.

The court granted permission this month for the appeal to proceed and the landmark case is due to be heard next year.

In AB v Worcestershire County Council & Anor [2022] EWHC 115 (QB), AB (via a litigation friend) argued he should have been removed at an earlier date to save him from the abuse and neglect he suffered. He brought claims for breach of Art 3 and Art 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998. Margaret Obi, sitting as a deputy High Court judge, struck out the claims after a successful application by the local authorities, stating there was ‘no realistic prospect’ of the Art 3 claim succeeding, nor did the Art 6 claim disclose a legally recognisable claim.

However, AB (via his litigation friend) argued the judge had misapplied the test to determine whether a duty arises under Art 3, and sought permission to appeal, which has now been granted.

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Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
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