Grab yourself a coffee and view our webinar:
Has the time come for the creation of a dedicated Housing Court?
The video is also available on our YouTube channel
ABOUT THIS EVENT:
(HELD ON 23RD OCTOBER 2020)
In October 2017, the then Secretary of State for Housing committed to consult with the judiciary on whether a new, specialist Housing Court could make it easier for all users of court and tribunal services to resolve disputes, reduce delays and to secure justice in housing cases.
In November 2018, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government released its ‘Call for Evidence’ to seek the views of all users of the courts and the property tribunals, such as individual owners towards the notion of a dedicated Housing Court.
In introducing the consultation, “the Government will seek views on a specialist Housing Court which, if created, would provide a single path of redress for both landlords and tenants – meaning both have the security of knowing they have somewhere to go to seek justice, with the power to resolve the dispute.
The vast majority of landlords are responsible owners, but a number of tenants continue to live with the fear of being evicted at short notice or remain stuck in poor accommodation. With housing disputes held in a number of different legal settings, the process can be confusing and act as a deterrent to some of the most vulnerable seeking justice”.
In October 2020, we are still awaiting the outcome of this public consultation.
In July 2020, Glenn Harris MBE (CEO, Midland Heart) wrote an article for the Centre for the New Midlands in which he argued that “the Government made the right call in pausing evictions during lockdown, and in setting out measures to protect tenants with a pre-action protocol once the ban is lifted. But to fully protect tenants in the longer term, we need to take a closer look at the justice system itself”.
This webinar will explore the case for a dedicated Housing Court; what it could mean for the West Midlands region were it to be introduced and whether or not the Midlands could host a pilot project of the scheme.
Delegates will get the chance to ask questions to our panel, with a Q&A being held at the end of the session.
OUR PANEL:
Shaun Bailey MP (Conservative Member of Parliament for West Bromwich West)
Glenn Harris MBE (Chief Executive, Midland Heart)
Ruth Ehrlich (Policy Officer, Shelter)
Daniel Skinner (Partner, Capsticks LLP)
Meera Chindooroy (Deputy Director of Campaigns, Public Affairs & Policy, National Residential Landlords Association)
Facilitated by: Keith Jeffrey (CEO, Breakthrough Coaching & Consultancy)
OUR SPONSOR:
We are delighted to welcome our main sponsor for our Housing and Communities workstream – Benfield Homes
Founded in 1933, Benfield Homes remains a family owned company that has established a reputation for traditionally built high quality new homes for the discerning buyer, whether they be first time buyers, down sizers, growing families and investors alike. Visit Benfield Homes for further information.