Amy represented Derek Moss, a resident of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, in his challenge to Kingston Council’s refusal to allow him to inspect records and documents relating to their accounts. The Council had refused Mr Moss’ request on the basis of the time the Council thought it would take them to deal with it. The Court held that the Council’s approach was unlawful, and has required them to provide a number of documents to Mr Moss.
This case establishes the important principle that local authorities are not entitled refuse an otherwise compliant request to inspect documents related to the local authority’s accounts, under an inspection right found in s.26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, because of the time the local authority thinks it would take to meet the request. There is no such time limit in the statutory scheme.
Amy was instructed by William Kenyon of ITN Solicitors in this case. The judgment is here.
Amy was Called to the Bar in 2003 and practices in all areas of public law, notably in human rights, policing and crime, immigration, indirect tax and duties, professional discipline and regulatory law as well as public inquiries. Read about her extensive experience here.