Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

authorities definition

What does authorities mean? Authorities are the legal sources a lawyer relies on to justify a proposition of law in submissions, skeleton arguments and judgments. The term is descriptive and widely used across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, rather than being defined by statute. Authorities typically include: primary legislation and subordinate legislation; binding appellate case law within the relevant jurisdiction; and, as persuasive material, decisions from other UK or foreign courts, tribunal rulings, EU and ECHR jurisprudence where applicable, and reputable academic commentary. In Scotland, the writings of the institutional writers (e.g. Stair, Erskine, Bell) may carry particular weight. Textbooks and...

Housing Act 1996 Part VII: interim accommodation duties, suitability, and powers pending review/appeal (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Local Government expert

Practice notes

Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (HA 1996) establishes the statutory homelessness regime for local housing authorities (LHAs) operating in England and Wales. It outlines the distinct obligations an LHA may owe to different homeless applicants. Inevitably, an LHA requires time to investigate a homeless applicant’s particular circumstances before deciding which duty is owed in law. Certain applicants’ situations are so urgent that accommodation is needed at once, even before the LHA can complete its enquiries. The HA 1996, in defined cases, requires LHAs to secure accommodation on an interim basis. This Practice Note explains the situations in which that interim duty arises and how it is discharged in practice. It also describes the power an LHA has, once its enquiries are concluded, to provide interim accommodation where:

an applicant seeks a review under HA 1996, s 202 of an unfavourable decision, or
an applicant brings an appeal under HA 1996, s 204 to the County Court

Duty to accommodate pending enquiries

The obligation on an LHA to secure accommodation for a homeless applicant while enquiries are undertaken into which duty...

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Alexander Campbell

Cornerstone Barristers

Alex is a skilful and experienced barrister whose practice primarily spans issues of public law and property law. Alex’s experience of complex public law issues including human rights, equality issues makes him extremely well-placed to assist clients in litigation across the many fields of law in which these issues arise.Alex has been praised by judges as an 'excellent’ advocate, for his ‘forensic precision’ in approaching cases and has been described as ‘an expert’ in his fields of practice. He is well-liked by clients for his approachable manner and for his ability to bring clarity to complex cases. He is ranked in Chambers and Partners 2018 and is described as a ‘rising junior with a growing reputation’.Alex was called to the Bar after an exceptionally strong academic background. Alex holds a law degree from Trinity College, Cambridge and was awarded multiple prizes for his...

Rebecca Handcock

Field Court Chambers

Rebecca is regularly instructed by local authorities and persons lacking capacity (including through the Official Solicitor). Her cases often raise complex issues – including dealing with extreme hoarding cases, cases involving medical treatment, and cases involving contact with others including sexual contact.She is often instructed to deal with matters related to an individual’s deprivation of liberty, including challenges under section 21A of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Rebecca also has a busy Inquest and Inquiries practice, including large long-term projects such as the Covid Inquiry, in respect of which Rebecca has been instructed since 2022.Rebecca has experience being instructed by central and local government in matters which cover varied and often high profile subject matter, regularly attracting media attention. In her Inquest work, Rebecca regularly takes instructions in respect of Inquests where the subject matter overlaps with other areas of her practice (e.g. the deaths of those with...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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