Hansard

Power Of Corporation To Provide Legal Assistance To Tenants In Relation To Acquisitions

Volume 136: debated on Monday 27 June 1988

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`(1) On an application by the tenant of a dwelling-house who is a party or a prospective party to proceedings falling within subsection (2) below, the Corporation may give assistance to the tenant if it thinks fit to do so—

  • (a) on the ground that the case raises a question of principle; or
  • (b) on the ground that it is unreasonable, having regard to the complexity of the case, or to any other matter, to expect the tenant to deal with it without assistance; or
  • (c) by reason of any other special consideration.

    • (2) The proceedings referred to in subsection (1) above are—

  • (a) proceedings to determine any question arising in relation to an acquisition or proposed acquisition under this Part; and
  • (b) proceedings to determine any dispute arising after an acquisition under this Part between a transferred tenant of a dwelling-house included in the acquisition and the body by which the acquisition was made;

    • and for the purposes of paragraph (b) above a tenant of a dwelling-house is a transferred tenant of it if he was the qualifying tenant of it at the time of the acquisition or is the widow or widower of the person who was then the qualifying tenant of it.

    (3) Assistance given by the Corporation under this section may include—

  • (a) giving advice;
  • (b) procuring or attempting to procure the settlement of the matter in dispute;
  • (c) arranging for the giving of advice or assistance by a solicitor or counsel;
  • (d) arranging for representation by a solicitor or counsel, including such assistance as is usually given by a solicitor or counsel in the steps preliminary or incidental to any proceedings, or in arriving at or giving effect to a compromise to avoid or bring to an end any proceedings; and
  • (e) any other form of assistance which the Corporation may consider appropriate;

    • but paragraph (d) above does not affect the law and practice regulating the descriptions of persons who may appear in, conduct, defend and address the court in any proceedings.

    (4) In so far as expenses are incurred by the Corporation in providing the tenant with assistance under this section, the

    recovery of those expenses (as taxed or assessed in such manner as may be prescribed by rules of court) shall constitute a first charge for the benefit of the Corporation—

  • (a) on any costs which (whether by virtue of a judgement or order of a court or an agreement or otherwise) are payable to the tenant by any other person in respect of the matter in connection with which the assistance was given; and
  • (b) so far as relates to any costs, on his rights under any compromise or settlement arrived at in connection with that matter to avoid or bring to an end any proceedings;

    • but subject to any charge under the Legal Aid Act 1988 and to any provision of that Act for payment of any sum to the Legal Aid Board!.— [Mr. Ridley.]

    Brought up, read the First and Second time, and added to the Bill.