Genevieve Screeche-Powell

Genevieve is an experienced housing and local government law barrister. She undertakes junior and leading work at appellate level and is an accredited mediator.

She is frequently instructed in high-profile sensitive cases raising issues such as capacity, public law defences and discrimination.

In 2025 she represented the successful local authority in 1st Court of Appeal case to consider impact of s.189A Housing Act duties on lawful performance of s.195 prevention duty in s.204 appeal proceedings: Fatolahzadeh v London Borough of Barnet.

Fatolahzadeh v LB Barnet [2025] EWCA Civ 1174 – defended successful local authority on suitability of accommodation offered in performance of prevention duty.

R (Begum) v LB Tower Hamlets [2025] EWCA Civ 1049 – led by Kelvin Rutledge KC, defended local authority’s use of homelessness database. Court upheld its legality and that it did not breach PSED nor discriminate indirectly against women.

Moge v LB Ealing [2023] EWCA Civ 464 -leading counsel for successful local authority in case considering further the ramifications of Abdikadir decision.

Abdikadir v London Borough of Ealing [2022] EWCA Civ 979 - leading counsel for successful local authority. Court determined failing to notify another authority of out-of-borough placement did not mean review decision was unlawful when applicant had refused offer of accommodation.

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