John Hobson

Overview:

Housing law
All aspects of housing law including possession proceedings, homelessness appeals, unlawful eviction, disrepair and matters under the Mobile Homes Act 1983. Extensive experience of matters involving anti-social behaviour relating to housing including those raising issues under the Equality Act 2010. Also undertakes judicial review work, including applications for interim relief in the Administrative Court.

Employment law
Undertakes work in all areas including unfair dismissal, redundancy, Working Time Regulations 1998, National Minimum Wage Regulations 1999 and all aspects of discrimination pertaining to the workplace. Involved in a number of successful women's part-time pensions claims.

Representation in the Employment Appeal Tribunal and in professional proceedings involving teachers before the General Teaching Council. Experience of proceedings brought by the General Social Care Council and of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003.

Inquest/coronial law
Representation of bereaved families, particularly of those who have died in police and prison custody. Actively interested in developments in the inquest and prison system, particularly the making of rule 43 recommendations under the Coroners Rules 1984 such as at the conclusion of the inquests into the deaths of Kellie Hutchinson at HMP New Hall (Casenote, Inquest Law April 2009) and Ronnie Richards at HMP Full Sutton where John represented family members.

Prison law
Advice and representation in areas including civil claims arising from prison law, actions involving Article 5(4) and judicial review.

Notable cases

• R (on the application of Anwar) v Manchester City Council [2009] EWHC 2876 (continuation of interim accommodation pending judicial review, Housing Act 1996).
• Betts and others v The Boots Company Plc [2006] ET/2600121/96 & others reported on Employment Tribunals Service Key judicial decisions (part time worker pensions - significance of lengthy delay before opting into pension scheme - evidential problems arising from claimant's assertion that they joined scheme as soon as they became aware of eligibility).
• Manchester City Council v Higgins [2006] 1 All ER 841 [2005] EWCA Civ 1423 (Housing Act 1985 s85A as inserted by Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 s16(1) , ASBO and nuisance possession, secure tenancy).

Recommendations

• Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Employment (2009) "John Hobson has a deserved reputation for fighting hard for the underdog in employment cases, as in his wider public law practice." Legal 500 2009.
• Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Employment (2008) "John Hobson is 'a tough and intelligent lawyer'." Legal 500 2008.

Other Activities

Regularly provides seminars in employment / discrimination law and housing law for solicitors and organisations including EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission), trade union representatives and migrant workers' groups.

Delivers training on Equality and Diversity for the Bar for the Legal Action Group (LAG) and related courses for firms of solicitors.

Mentor to vulnerably housed young people through involvement with a national charity.

Publications

Conditions of Detention in Turkey: Blocking Admission to the EU by Professor Bill Bowring, John Hobson, Ville Punto and Hannah Rought-Brooks (published by The Haldane Society, Feb 2009). Report published following participation in a delegation to Turkey.

Contributor to the publication Enforcing Housing Rights: The Case of Sheikh Jarrah - Report of the fact-finding mission to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (published by Avocats Sans Frontiéres, May 2011, following participation in a delegation of lawyers examining evictions and house demolitions in East Jerusalem, Dec 2010).

Contributor of casenotes/reviews to practitioner publications including Legal Action, Inquest Law and Inside Housing.

Professional Associations

• Housing Law Practitioners Association
• Haldane Society (Executive Committee)
• Inquest Lawyers' Group
• International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR)

Background and personal profile

Former lecturer in marine resource/environmental economics in higher education/trade union caseworker Previously a trade union branch officer and regional and national conference delegate.

Year of Call

1999

Education

BA(Hons), MSc(Econ), DipLaw

Email Address

j.hobson@doughtystreet.co.uk

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Specialist Teams

Member :

• Community Care & Health
• Employment and Discrimination
• Housing and Social Welfare
• Prisoner's Rights
• Public and Administrative Law