News | Matthew Gold & Co. Ltd. Solicitors

21 May Court challenge against exclusion of 2 year old children from accessing Government’s early nursery scheme

Posted 21.05.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights, Uncategorized 0 Comments

MG&Co has issued proceedings challenging our client’s exclusion from the early years nursery scheme. In 2014 the government announced funding for a ‘fairness premium’ which entitled all disadvantaged 2-year-olds to 15 hours per week of free pre-school education. The scheme aimed to narrow the gap in...

14 May Low-paid carer launches legal challenge against exclusion from Free School Meals scheme during the coronavirus crisis

Posted 14.05.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights, Uncategorized 0 Comments

Matthew Gold and Company solicitors has launched a legal challenge against the continued exclusion of many children from low-income families, including the children of key workers, from the Free School Meals scheme. Following a previous threat of judicial review (read here), the Government extended Free School...

07 May High Court Judgment commenting on the exercise of local authorities’ powers under section 17(3) of the Children Act in relation to non-parent adult family members

Posted 07.05.2020 | Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights 0 Comments

On 7 May 2020 the judgment in the OA v London Borough of Bexley case was handed down. Although the claim for judicial review was dismissed, the Judge made a number of useful comments relating to the exercise of local authorities powers under section 17(3)...

06 May Legal challenge to the government’s failure to ensure all disadvantaged children can access online education during the coronavirus crisis

Posted 06.05.2020 | Human Rights, Judicial Review 0 Comments

Almost a month after schools closed their doors, the government announced a ‘major package to support online learning’ by providing laptops and internet access to disadvantaged children. Despite the claim that this support will “enable all children to continue learning now”, in fact only care-leavers,...

05 May Woman receives compensation after grooming and sexual abuse by a prison officer

Posted 05.05.2020 | Civil Claims Against Public Authorities, Domestic Violence, Human Rights, Police Misconduct 0 Comments

Matthew Gold & Co have successfully settled a claim for damages brought by a female former prisoner against the Ministry of Justice after she was groomed and sexually abused by a male prison officer. Our client, Ms P, was very vulnerable on her arrival at the...

04 May U.K. Government “life assurance scheme” for families of healthcare workers who have died from coronavirus

Posted 04.05.2020 | Civil Claims Against Public Authorities, Human Rights 0 Comments

On 27 April 2020 the UK Government announced a life assurance scheme under which the families of eligible frontline health and care staff in England who die from coronavirus will be entitled to a £60,000 payment. The details of the scheme are so far minimal, but...

02 May Coronavirus Act 2020: Impact on care and support for disabled people and their carers under Care Act 2014

Posted 02.05.2020 | Human Rights, Judicial Review 0 Comments

The Coronavirus Act 2020 brought in the right for Local Authorities to cease operating to fulfil their normal statutory duties towards disabled people and their carers, known as an ‘easement’ of their Care Act obligations. These changes could have a serious impact on the assessment...

01 May Department for Education Guidance To Local Authorities On Children’s Social Care In The Light Of The Coronavirus Raises Serious Concerns of Unlawful Policy Changes/Practices

Posted 01.05.2020 | Human Rights, Judicial Review 0 Comments

In response to the increased demands and pressures faced by Local Authorities amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has published guidance outlining its advice to Local Authorities regarding Children's Social Care. What does the guidance cover? The guidance is aimed at Local Authorities ("LAs"), those with corporate...

27 Apr High Court to hear test case on who is a ‘family member’ for support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989

Posted 27.04.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Migrant Rights 0 Comments

On Tuesday 28 April the High Court will hear the case of a 16 year old child who claims he cannot meet his basic living needs because Bexley Council refuse to also provide support to account for his 19 year old brother. The case will...

21 Apr Government confirms extension of free school meals following threat of judicial review

Posted 21.04.2020 | Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights 0 Comments

On 20 April 2020 the Government published guidance confirming the temporary extension of free school meals eligibility during the Covid-19 crisis to certain families with no recourse to public funds. The guidance can be found here and here. The extension of eligibility was made in response...

07 Apr Government extends free school meals to thousands of children in response to MG&Co letter-before-claim

Posted 07.04.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Judicial Review, Migrant Rights 0 Comments

In response to MG&Co’s letter threatening judicial review on behalf of six children, the Secretary of State for Education has agreed to extend free school meal entitlement during the current Covid-19 crisis. The original eligibility criteria required parents to be claiming certain welfare benefits. It therefore...

03 Apr MG&Co challenge the exclusion of most deprived and vulnerable children from coronavirus free school meals scheme

Posted 03.04.2020 | Discrimination and Equality, Human Rights, Migrant Rights 0 Comments

The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson announced that “no child should go hungry as a result of measures introduced to keep people at home”. To meet that aim the government issued guidance providing that schools should continue to provide meals or vouchers for eligible children whilst...

21 May Court challenge against exclusion of 2 year old children from accessing Government’s early nursery scheme

14 May Low-paid carer launches legal challenge against exclusion from Free School Meals scheme during the coronavirus crisis

07 May High Court Judgment commenting on the exercise of local authorities’ powers under section 17(3) of the Children Act in relation to non-parent adult family members

06 May Legal challenge to the government’s failure to ensure all disadvantaged children can access online education during the coronavirus crisis

05 May Woman receives compensation after grooming and sexual abuse by a prison officer

04 May U.K. Government “life assurance scheme” for families of healthcare workers who have died from coronavirus

02 May Coronavirus Act 2020: Impact on care and support for disabled people and their carers under Care Act 2014

01 May Department for Education Guidance To Local Authorities On Children’s Social Care In The Light Of The Coronavirus Raises Serious Concerns of Unlawful Policy Changes/Practices

27 Apr High Court to hear test case on who is a ‘family member’ for support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989

21 Apr Government confirms extension of free school meals following threat of judicial review

07 Apr Government extends free school meals to thousands of children in response to MG&Co letter-before-claim

03 Apr MG&Co challenge the exclusion of most deprived and vulnerable children from coronavirus free school meals scheme

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