Derek Bernardi

Officially my favourite client email of all time.

Today seems like a good day to say that I'm now on Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/derekb… Maybe follow me there and don't help support Musk and his ilk, I dunno.

The entire P2R system is a bit of a mess it seems, but can be such an important lifeline. If anyone is struggling to navigate it, please feel free to get in touch.

My colleague and I have succeeded in securing #PermissionToRent for our client after issuing a judicial review claim. She had requested P2R at her asylum interview but it was ignored, and no record kept. Now with the help of her generous support network, she can find a home.

@willfordosblaw Appreciate it Will! Maybe give the housing and ASC teams the phone number for their literal own legal team while you're there!

I've been avoiding this place lately bc... reasons. But I need to share this. Two depts at #Bristol City Council have told my colleague they didn't know they had a legal dept. They also said they aren't allowed to disclose a care needs assessment. Wtf is happening in Bristol?

@QaysSediqi Stay safe Qays, solidarity as always.

This is real. I just received a private phone call from a far-right thug, telling me they know where I work and that they will kill me because I’m what’s wrong with this country. I’m a former refugee who is now an immigration practitioner. I will not be intimidated!!!

Hearing that 6 ppl have been charged with violent disorder for the hotel attack in Rotherham. They tried to set fire to a building full of people, motivated by racial hatred. Is there not a more serious offence that applies here?

It's my anniversary... On this day last year, journalists from the Sunday versions of the #Sun, #Times, #Express & #Mail, contacted me to advise that they'd been sent a dossier on me by #Conservative Campaign HQ to do a story (hit job) on me. One of the journalists (I think they were embarrased by the saga) sent me the dossier either by accident or on purpose, which contained information about my cases, memberships & associations, & which showed that either the Home Office had aided the compilation or the state had hacked into my devices - not all of the cases or information referenced were in the public domain. The dossier, ordered by #SuellaBraverman & compiled by one of her SPADs, characterised me as being responsible for thwarting Rwanda, enabling small boats, holding up deportations, & so on. Ironically, the area of work I am mostly known for & spend at least 80% of my time on, responding to the #WindrushScandal, didn't feature once in the dossier. The attack was therefore as dishonest as it was racist, & provided evidence of a callous disregard by state actors for the rule of law & the safety of its citizens. Those who pulled this stunt were parhetic but they did so to destabilise me & other human rights lawyers, especially younger ones - the hope was to silence the voices of those they term activist, movement, lefty lawyers, all as a pejorative. It was also done so that racists & fascists would wade in. And they did. And of course, there were serious threats & security concerns. Anyway, the support was overwhelming, including from family, friends & colleagues, & organisations in the UK & overseas, including Bar associations, the #LawSociety & other legal bodies. I am eternally grateful to you all. On this first anniversary, I am launching a law scholarship so that more movement & activist lawyers can emerge. This evening, friends, family & colleagues will join me for a reception & a conversation with a panel of intergenerational lawyers, to mark the occasion & herald in the scholarship, which doesn't have a name yet. I'm thinking of calling it the Dossier ...

Also, this is for a homelessness appeal issued in December 2023. For which I still don't have a hearing date, and all of my chasers have been ignored. It pains me to make formal complaints against the Court, whose office is no doubt woefully understaffed, but this is a joke.

Phenomenal. Just got a directions order from Central London County Court, dated 24 July 2024. The first direction is on 12 April 2024. Truly magnificent, and I am not at all concerned about the health of the County Court.

You should really consider joining my team. In addition to housing work there will be opportunities for public law/strategic lit experience. And we have a very nice (and dog friendly!) office. Happy to have a chat w anyone interested. nearlylegal.co.uk/2024/07/job-ad… via @nearlylegal

Very impressive homelessness decision. Transgender refugee repeatedly misgendered, dead named, described as "a trans gender", and had being trans described as "sexuality". It then says "You have mental health." That's it. That's the sentence. How astute.

Excellent thread on Labour's asylum and border policies. Some good things for sure but also many not good things.

Hey legal Twitter, are there any #housing solicitors out there who might want a job with excellent flexibility (in terms of both hybrid working and actual case work)? You should def contact me if so, so that I can tell you why you should consider my firm.

📢 Come join my team! 📢 We're recruiting a public law solicitor to start asap. Ideally 1-3+ years PQE, and experience across a range of areas of public law. Full details can be found here: lapg.co.uk/jobs/ (We have an amazing legal assistant who will do your CW1s!)

Did you know that being recognised as a refugee in the UK can lead to destitution and homelessness? This #refugeeweek, together with @HMSC, we will be highlighting unnecessary challenges faced by refugees during the ‘move on’ period. #LegalAid #Lawstop [Thread]

The court has found that two people with pre-settled status are eligible for homelessness assistance, following successful interventions where PLP acted for @the3million. Find out more about these important cases ⬇️ publiclawproject.org.uk/latest/court-f…

💥EXCL: Labour is considering a manifesto pledge to roll out Housing First nationwide in a bid to tackle the UK's growing crisis of homelessness and rough sleeping, PoliticsHome understands. politicshome.com/news/article/l…

A horrible feeling to have made 3 complaints regarding the Admin Court within the past few months: 2 regarding Judges and 1 regarding the Court Office, all for delays. Even during the pandemic I wasn't experiencing delays as bad as the past year or so. Not a good place to be in.