Equality Act and Homelessness

CPD 1.5 hours

PEAT Outcome - Relevant legal knowledge

OBJECTIVES

This webinar will provide an overview of the Equality Act and how it complements homelessness duties. With a particular focus on the protected characteristic of disability, the session will examine the Public Sector Equality Duty and caselaw that has developed in relation to accommodation duties in England. It will look at how the PSED is applicable to suitable temporary accommodation, and how it may be relevant in challenging homeless decisions.

DELEGATES

This Zoom webinar will be of interest to trainee solicitors, newly qualified solicitors, and anyone seeking a comprehensive refresher on key legal topics.

SPEAKER

Chris Ryan, Senior Solicitor, CLAO

The Civil Legal Assistance Office "CLAO" is a network of four offices in Scotland that helps people with specific civil legal problems. The offices cover Edinburgh and Lothian, Highlands and Islands, Argyll and Bute, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Chris Ryan is a senior solicitor at CLAO based in Edinburgh with expertise in housing and homelessness law developed throughout his career having previously worked for Legal Services Agency and Shelter Scotland. He has a particular interest in the use of the Equality Act as a remedy in housing and homelessness cases, and experience of pursuing claims, judicial review and defending eviction actions utlising the Act.