John S Hobson

"a tough and intelligent lawyer - the sort you expect to see in Garden Court North".

Legal 500 2008

Practice

Housing law
Disrepair, injunctions, possession proceedings, particularly those involving matters of anti-social behaviour (ASBOs), unlawful eviction.

Employment law
Particularly unfair dismissal, redundancy, working time regulations and all aspects of discrimination pertaining to the workplace. Involved in a number of successful women's part-time pensions claims. Training in employment law undertaken for solicitors and trade union workplace representatives.

Inquest law
Member of Chambers Inquest law team. Actively interested in developments in the inquest and prison system and keen to develop his practice in this area. John recently represented the family in the inquest into the death of Kelly Hutchinson at HMP New Hall (September 2008).

Notable cases

Betts and others v- The Boots Company Plc [2006] ET/2600121/96 & others reported on Employment Tribunals Service Key judicial decisions (part time worker pensions - significance of lengthy delay before opting into pension scheme - evidential problems arising from claimant's assertion that they joined scheme as soon as they became aware of eligibility) > judgment

Manchester City Council v Higgins [2006] 1 All ER 841 [2005] EWCA Civ 1423 (Housing Act 1985 s85A as inserted by Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 s16(1) , ASBO and nuisance possession, secure tenancy)> see WLR case report

Recommendations

Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Employment (2008) "Garden Court North is prepared to take on claimant cases against major employers and attracts a high volume of cases countrywide; John Hobson is 'a tough and intelligent lawyer- the sort you expect to see in Garden Court [North]'." Legal 500 2008 more

Regional Bar - Northern Circuit - Employment (2007) "Garden Court North Chambers tends to handle claimant work in employment cases and attracts a high volume of cases country wide; John Hobson appeared in the "part-time workers' pensions" case Betts v The Boots Company Plc." UK Legal 500 2007 edition.

Other Activities

Regularly provides seminars in employment law and housing law.

An interview with John talking about his civil practice appears in the current edition of the Training Contract and Pupillage Handbook 2008 > more

Member of Manchester Prison Law Practitioners Group (MPLPG)

Professional Associations

Housing Law Practitioner's Association
Haldane Society (Executive Committee / Treasurer 2001 - 2004)
Inquest Lawyers Group
International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR)
Liberty

Background and personal profile

Former lecturer in higher education/trade union caseworker specialising in employment and housing law. Previously a trade union branch officer and regional and national conference delegate.