Paul Hopkins QC instructed in Supreme Court case re Inherent Jurisdiction - Judgment handed down.

30 JULY 2021

On Friday 30th July 2021 the Supreme Court handed down judgment in the matter of Re: T (A child) in which our Head of Chambers, Paul Hopkins QC, was instructed on behalf of Welsh Government (Intervening) and CAFCASS Cymru (A Respondent).

The appeal considered whether, in circumstances where there were insufficient available places in registered secure children’s homes, the exercise of the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction to authorise a placement in unregistered secure accommodation was lawful. The Supreme Court went on to consider, if it was lawful, what legal test the courts should apply and if a child’s consent was of any relevance. 

The appeal was dismissed and the judgment can be found here