Genevieve Screeche-Powell

Practice Areas

Genevieve is an experienced housing and local government law barrister (called in 1997). Her social housing practice has a particular emphasis on public policy. She undertakes junior and leading work at appellate level and is an accredited mediator.

Genevieve is frequently instructed in high-profile and politically sensitive cases raising diverse issues. She also acts in cases with capacity issues, fraud, public law defences, and disability discrimination.

In 2023, she was leading counsel representing the successful local authority in the 1st Court of Appeal case to consider out-of-area placements and the extent of enquiries when a local authority is ending the homelessness relief duty using private rented sector accommodation. Moge v London Borough of Ealing [2023] EWCA Civ 464.

Career

Genevieve's recent significant cases include

Abdikadir v London Borough of Ealing [2022] EWCA Civ 979 - as leading counsel for the successful local authority in a Housing Act appeal. The Court of Appeal determined failure to notify another authority of an out-of-borough placement did not mean the review decision was unlawful when an applicant had refused an offer of accommodation.

LB v London Borough of Tower Hamlets [2020] EWCA Civ 439 - acting for the successful local authority on the previously untested legal issue of at what point in time the future risk of domestic violence should be assessed when an applicant has been found to be homeless intentionally.

During the pandemic she advised various local authorities on the implementation of the government’s “Everyone In” policy.