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I hope to live-tweet some of the lockdown regulations challenge hearing that starts at 1030. Claimants include Simon Dolan, a businessman. Defendants include Matt Hancock, health secretary. Claimant’s counsel is Philip Havers QC. Defendant’s counsel is Sir James Eadie QC.
Claimants apply for permission to judicially review the lawfulness of the coronavirus regulations and guidance that have caused the closure of schools for the vast
majority of children in England and which continue to deprive the great majority of children of
an education.
majority of children in England and which continue to deprive the great majority of children of
an education.
Sir James Eadie QC for the health secretary will argue that permission should be refused.
The hearing is not being live-streamed on a public website but reporters and others can seek access. This hearing is using Skype for Business.
Philip Havers QC for Simon Dolan opens with his application for permission to challenge this “far-reaching and sweeping invasion of rights”. He notes that the restrictions have been modified and will change again on 4 July (although the new regs are not yet published).
Havers denies that the application is now academic. There are still restrictions in force and they may be reimposed. Mr Justice Lewis says it’s not productive to speculate on what may happen in the future. He asks Havers to go through each regulation he wishes to challenge.
