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Tom Royston

@tomroyston.bsky.social
357 followers 218 following 39 posts

Social security law and its neighbours. Barrister at Garden Court North Chambers gcnchambers.co.uk/barrister/tom-roy…

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Reposted by Tom Royston
Charlotte O'Brien @cobrien.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
WAAAH! I can't believe I'm typing this - but I have a book contract for a non-fiction book for a general audience with @brisunipress.bsky.social to challenge damaging rhetoric about immigration and welfare, arguing that xenophobic law-making goes hand-in-hand with punishing the poor and hurts us all
Quotes from peer reviewers for the book proposal: This is well put together and definitely leaves me wanting to read the full book which I think will be both gripping and challenging.

The writing style is perfect, clear for a general audience, but also engaging to practitioners

a project of deep social and political significance.

This is a very strong proposal – intellectually ambitious, empirically grounded, provocative, timely. It is also very well written

There really isn’t anything quite like this. It is groundbreaking.
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Child Poverty Action Group @cpaguk.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
*Job opportunity* We're looking for someone to lead our strategic legal work, using legal cases to benefit families and children in poverty. Please share with anyone who might be interested: cpag.org.uk/jobs/current...
cpag.org.uk
Current job vacancies
Find out about the latest job vacancies at Child Poverty Action Group.
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Lewis Graham @lewisgrahamlaw.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
The Strasbourg court has found NO VIOLATION of the Convention in the benefits cap challenge: hudoc.echr.coe.int?i=001-249132
hudoc.echr.coe.int
HUDOC - European Court of Human Rights
The HUDOC database provides access to the case-law of the Court (Grand Chamber, Chamber and Committee judgments and decisions, communicated cases, advisory opinions and legal summaries from the Case-L...
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Disability News Service @johnpring.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Council admits discrimination after DWP ‘migration’ left disabled couple with £1,500 tax bill #DWP #CouncilTax #UniversalCredit @dis-ppl-protest.bsky.social www.disabilitynewsservice.com/council-admi...
disabilitynewsservice.com
Council admits discrimination after DWP ‘migration’ left disabled couple with £1,500 tax bill
A local authority has admitted discriminating against a disabled couple who were left with a significant new council tax bill after they were forced to move onto universal credit. The legal victory…
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Garden Court North Chambers @gcnchambers.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
In a judicial review claim brought against Three Rivers District Council by two of its residents, the High Court on Monday declared that the local authority’s scheme for calculating low income residents’ council tax liability unlawfully discriminated against them. gcnchambers.co.uk/three-rivers...
gcnchambers.co.uk
Council tax reduction scheme unlawfully discriminated against Universal Credit claimants - Garden Court North Chambers
Garden Court North's Tom Royston represented the two Three Rivers residents in their claim against the local authority.
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rightsnet @rightsnet.org.uk · 23/01/2026
Disabled Somerset resident granted permission to challenge council tax reduction scheme in High Court @leigh-day.bsky.social www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/69654
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Charlotte O'Brien @cobrien.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
New Year Pop Quiz: Which of the 6 million + people with EU Settlement Scheme status has documentary confirmation that they are residing on the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement? Astonishingly, the UK government's position appears to be: none of them. But wasn’t that the whole point of the EUSS?
Screenshot of a powerpoint slide, from a talk Alice and Charlotte gave on this exact subject, at the NAWRA conference in December 2025, hosted by the Welfare Benefit Unit, York. Slide shows a powerpoint stock image of a cake, and the EU Rights and Brexit Hub logo. The title is 'Extreme Cakeism'. and the text reads: * So, the EUSS is: constitutive for purposes of exclusion and immigration control * Declaratory for purposes of enabling discrimination* Scheme that gives some certainty to authorities* Scheme that gives NO certainty to individuals while misleading them! * New article in the Journal of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law all about this mess: “Side-stepping international law on the sly: The secret severing of the EU Settlement Scheme from the Withdrawal Agreement”
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
The Supreme Court has allowed DWP's appeal in Jwanczuk. As well as addressing ECHR discrimination issues, it gives guidance on how courts in one part of the UK should approach judgments from courts in other parts on legislation of common application caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/uksc/2025/42
caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk
R (on the application of Jwanczuk) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions - Find Case Law - The National Archives
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National Association of Welfare Rights Advisers (NAWRA) @nawra.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Our next conference will be in the beautiful city of York on Fri 5th December. Hosted by the Welfare Benefits Unit. Free for members only. nawra.org.uk/join
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Martin Williams @martin-cpag.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
In AP v SSWP [2025] UKUT 330 (AAC) UT comments on common practice of DWP decision makers in Universal Credit of stating a claimant is not entitled to seek mandatory reconsideration of a decision because it is "policy" (typically that happens when challenge involves interpretation of a rule) (1 of 5)
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Matrix Law @matrixlaw.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
The Upper Tribunal has clarified jurisdiction of the First-tier Tribunal in cases involving late applications for revision & appeals following “any time” grounds in TR and GD v SSWP [2025] UKUT 332 (AAC). Paul Skinner was involved in the case. More: ow.ly/JgBf50XjzLa
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Garden Court North Chambers @gcnchambers.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
In the Upper Tribunal next week, GCN's @tomroyston.bsky.social is representing ex-England football captain David Watson in his legal fight for Alzheimer's and CTE to be recognised as industrial diseases. www.leighday.co.uk/news/news/20...
leighday.co.uk
Ex-England captain's legal fight for toll on his health
Former England football captain David Watson is fighting to have his neurological condition recognised as the result of head injuries during his career.
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Garden Court North Chambers @gcnchambers.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Garden Court North's @tomroyston.bsky.social represented the two women, who earlier today won their High Court judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful and discriminatory tax reduction scheme, which left them and many other residents with massive bills. gcnchambers.co.uk/trafford-cou...
gcnchambers.co.uk
Trafford Council’s tax reduction scheme quashed following High Court legal challenge - Garden Court North Chambers
Two women have today won their judicial review against Trafford Council's unlawful tax reduction scheme in the High Court.
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Really important High Court decision today, quashing a local authority’s council tax reduction scheme. The judgment contains many lessons about these schemes. Trafford's scheme was ultra vires, irrational, and unlawfully discriminatory, and breached the PSED @rightsnet.org.uk @nawra.bsky.social
Judgment header of R (LL and AU) v Trafford Council [2025] EWHC 2380 (Admin) (19 September 2025)
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
The Court of Appeal gave permission to appeal in this case on 15 September 2025. Full hearing probably later this year/early next.
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
For the latest news and ideas from the front line in social welfare law, Garden Court North Chambers is now on Bluesky @gcnchambers.bsky.social - follow now, while stocks last!
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
High Court today dismisses judicial review challenge to operation of the 'rape clause' in the two child limit. Exempting non-consensually conceived children if they are born third or later, but not if they are born first or second, is lawful. Claimants seeking permission to appeal.
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
Proposed disability benefit changes would decrease number of people exempted from benefit cap. End of two child limit, if it happens (+any annual benefit rate increases) would increase number affected by benefit cap. In combination, could make benefit cap a *lot* more significant in years to come
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the3million @the3million.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
We're in the Court of Appeal today - defending EU citizens' rights to live with dignity. 👩🏾‍⚖️ This case is about achieving equal welfare access for people with pre-settled status - with no unfair barriers. www.crowdjustice.com/case/eu-citi...
crowdjustice.com
Help us defend EU citizens’ rights to live with dignity
the3million is the largest grassroots organisation for EU citizens in the UK, formed after the 2016 referendum to protect the rights of people who have made the UK their home.
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Alice Welsh @awelsh.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Are the EU free movement rules wildly out of step with the new realities of work? My new book, the MARKET CITIZENSHIP ILLUSION answers this by looking at the law in action – and it is available now to *everyone for free*! www.bloomsburycollections.com/monograph?do... 🧵on key arguments... (1/10)
The author holding a copy of the book
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Alan Markey @alancov.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Come and join us for our 50th anniversary summit and celebration. Link below.
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Paul Treloar @paulietandoori.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
DWP figures in response to FOI request indicate 87% of claimants currently receiving PIP daily living component at standard rate, and 13% of claimants receiving enhanced rate are likely to lose their entitlement if “score 4” changes go ahead. That means virtually everyone on standard rate PIP.
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Cornerstone Barristers @cornerstonebarristers.com · 15/04/2025
Admin Court today: claimant challenges the DWP’s refusal to pay Universal Credit using common law powers, after supporting his child’s cancer treatment abroad. Raises key questions about state discretion & welfare. @jogilvieharris.bsky.social is instructed by North West London Law Centres.
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Will Ford @willfordosblaw.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Amending regs to the legal aid Remuneration regs now out and take effect from 1 May 2025. Reintroduces an escape fee for Welfare Benefits legal aid casework. Very pleased to have played a role in bringing about this change. www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2025/41...
legislation.gov.uk
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 26/03/2025
Extraordinary use of statistics. DWP might as well claim their proposals will massively improve child mortality because they have decided not to proceed with Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents. The ‘previous Conservative plans’ are not in effect, are not law, and the Conservatives are not in power!
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Charlotte O'Brien @cobrien.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
How many UK Supreme Court judges do you think ever acted as lawyers for a claimant in a social security case? ZERO. *Extremely nervous* to announce this rather bolshy ('somewhat contentious' and 'robust in tone') piece in the JSSL. I argue there is a 'professional diversity deficit' in UKSC, AND...
Screenshot of title and abstract of journal article. Title is 'The professional diversity deficit: the UK Supreme Court’s social security law blind spot'. Abstract is: 'It is no secret that the UK Supreme Court lacks demographic diversity. But there is very little commentary on a different diversity gap—that of professional experience. UK Supreme Court judges are typically drawn from lucrative areas of legal practice, creating a pronounced professional practice gap in the realm of social security law. None of the sitting Supreme Court judges have ever acted in a reported security case for social security claimants against the State. This creates a problem of perspective; would we really expect a panel of Goliath advocates to give David a fair hearing? This article highlights the hitherto under-explored evidence of a professional deficit on the Court, and argues that this cannot help but have an influence upon judicial perspectives. One such possible influence is the “alegalisation” of social security law—the treatment of it as not-law but as a matter of pure politics. Here, the article analyses how the line is drawn in key cases, in which it seems the Court feels responsible for defending some “pure law” human rights, while defending the courtroom from other human rights claims—those relating to social security. But poverty is a human rights issue, and human rights are (still) a matter of law. We need to bring social security expertise and claimant perspectives to the bench if we are to reassert the legal nature of social security rights.'
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
The other way to look at the proposal to time limit all working age contributory benefit is that it would not just weaken but *completely abolish* what has for many years been (after retirement pension) the second most important part of the state contributory benefit system.
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Fiona Bawdon @fionabawdon.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
One of the joys of the LALYs is being able to celebrate coalface legal aid lawyers who have never previously received (or sought) recognition. If you know one of those, do make a nomination (deadline 22 April). All the info you need is here: lapg.co.uk/wp-content/u...
lapg.co.uk
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rightsnet @rightsnet.org.uk · 25/02/2025
Homelessness Code of Guidance updated to reflect the Court of Appeal’s judgment in AT More: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61425
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
The article below reports DWP's policy response to the R (Roberts) v SSWP case from earlier this year. It looks like DWP now accept they will need to ask claimants' views about deductions before making them
bailii.org
Roberts v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] EWHC 51 (Admin) (16 January 2025)
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rightsnet @rightsnet.org.uk · 11/02/2025
Great result by @cpaguk.bsky.social in the Upper Tribunal on universal credit transitional protection More info: www.rightsnet.org.uk/now/post/61249
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Carri Swann @carriswann.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
DWP to SSAC: ‘Given the [Clifford] judgment, the draft regulations which would have delivered the WCA descriptor changes will be withdrawn by the Department. Therefore… we consider this to be the conclusion of SSAC’s scrutiny of the draft regulations.’
gov.uk
Work Capability Assessment draft regulations: letter to Dr Stephen Brien
Correspondence from the DWP to SSAC's Chair following the judgment in the judicial review into the lawfulness of the consultation on the Work Capability Assessment descriptor changes.
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Will Ford @willfordosblaw.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Update on judicial review brought by Osbornes challenging legal aid rates for Welfare Benefits legal help work. We have been successful!
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Patrick Butler @patrickjbutler.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
My @guardian story: DWP "Computer says Yes" program that allows landlord to deduct hundreds of pounds from tenants’ universal credit without checking with the claimant ruled illegal by the courts. www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
DWP program that automatically approves landlord benefit deduction requests ruled unlawful
Tenant challenged procedure after £500 docked from universal credit payment at landlord’s request, with whom he was in dispute over repairs
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
Article about this UC deductions case, in the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
DWP program that automatically approves landlord benefit deduction requests ruled unlawful
Tenant challenged procedure after £500 docked from universal credit payment at landlord’s request, with whom he was in dispute over repairs
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Kelly Jones @kmjones.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Great outcome in @tomroyston.bsky.social's case challenging unilateral application of UC deductions for ongoing rent and rent arrears. It'll be interesting to see how the DWP adjusts its processes in response
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
R (Roberts) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2025] EWHC 51 (Admin) (16 January 2025): High Court (Fordham J) decides that the Government’s system of making deductions from benefit claimants’ Universal Credit for rent is unlawful.
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Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
NEW: The DWP consultation into plans to slash billions of pounds from disability benefits has been ruled unlawful in a damning High Court ruling. Mr Justice Calver repeatedly described the consultation held in autumn 2023 as “misleading”, “rushed” and “unfair” www.bigissue.com/news/social-...
bigissue.com
DWP's consultation on disability benefit reforms unlawful, High Court rules
The DWP's consultation into plans to slash billions from disability benefits has been ruled unlawful in a damning High Court ruling.
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Tom Royston @tomroyston.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
R (Clifford) v SSWP [2025] EWHC (Admin) decides today that the 2023 WCA consultation, run by the Department for Work and Pensions, was unlawful.
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