Today, Friends, Families and Travellers released a briefing for advice and support services written by Chris Johnson, solicitor at the Travellers Advice Team of the Community Law Partnership, containing legal advice relating to Gypsies and Travellers on unauthorised encampments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefing can be seen here.
Along with other supporting materials, the legal briefing will be discussed further during an online Zoom workshop at 10:30am – 12:00pm Thursday 22 October 2020. Tickets to the event can be booked here.
The session will use the briefing to discuss the legal background surrounding evictions from, and service provision to, unauthorised encampments. Chris Johnson will deliver the 45-minute presentation, followed by a Q&A.
Topics due to be covered include:
- A summary of eviction powers used by local authorities and police to evict encampments;
- Public law challenges to eviction, looking at relevant guidance and case law;
- Evictions during COVID-19 pandemic;
- Provision of amenities for roadside camps and relevant Government guidance;
- Advocating for basic amenities during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Evictions and service provisions post the pandemic.
On the legal briefing document and event, Abbie Kirkby, Advice and Policy Manager at Friends, Families and Travellers said:
“Gypsies and Travellers living on camps were not given the same protection from eviction during the pandemic as others were, with many families living without the most basic of key amenities such as water and sanitation. We worked with Community Law Partnership to create this briefing and workshop in the hope it will help ease the difficulties experienced by Gypsies and Travellers living roadside throughout this pandemic and to ensure local authorities do all they can to fulfil the right to basic amenities and a safe stopping place, for individuals and families.”
Notes for Editor
About Friends, Families and Travellers (FFT)
Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works on behalf of all Gypsies, Roma and Travellers regardless of ethnicity, culture or background.
Media Contact
Sami McLaren, Communications Officer
Tel: 07436 228910 Email: sami@gypsy-traveller.org
Relevant Resources
‘Supporting legal action related to COVID-19 with regard to Gypsies and Travellers: Evictions from and service provision to unauthorised encampments’. February 2021. View here.
Legal briefing: Roadside camps – evictions and service provision (England). October 2020. Book here.
