Janet Simon, R (on the application of) v The Commissioner of The Police Metropolis

Facts

The claimant, Ms Janet Simon, is a Jewish resident of Camden and a regular participant in the Friday evening demonstrations organised by the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network UK (IJAN-UK) in the Swiss Cottage area of North London. The protests concerned Israel, Zionism and the treatment of Palestinians. They began in October 2023 outside the Israeli Ambassador's residence. They moved after directions were issued under Section 42 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, and then continued at other places in Swiss Cottage. From May 2024, counter-protesters associated with Stop the Hate UK attended regularly. The contact between the two groups led to confrontation, arrests and complaints from residents and businesses. The police imposed conditions under Section 14 of the Public Order Act 1986 several times, in October 2024, February 2025 and 2 May 2025, and none of those conditions was challenged. On 7 May 2025 DAC Adelekan imposed a condition preventing IJAN-UK from assembling within a specified Swiss Cottage area. The decision contained an express assessment of proportionality and of the rights under Articles 9, 10 and 11 ECHR. Similar conditions were later reimposed. The claimant sought judicial review of the 7 May 2025 decision. She argued that it interfered disproportionately with her Convention rights, discriminated against her contrary to Article 14, and breached the public sector equality duty. DHCJ Alan Bates refused permission on the papers, and the claimant renewed her application orally.