Sergio Graft, R (on the application of) v The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

Facts

The claimant, a litigant in person with long-standing mental health conditions, has held a weekly assured tenancy of a flat owned by the Peabody Trust since 2016. The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham placed him in Band 2, rather than Band 1, on its housing register by a decision of 7 November 2024. It upheld that decision on review on 12 February 2025, and the claimant did not challenge the review decision. His first judicial review claim, issued on 20 January 2025, challenged the banding and the council's alleged failure to deal with damp and disrepair at the flat. He never served the sealed claim form, the court closed the case, and in December 2025 he applied for reinstatement and relief from sanctions. In May 2025 the council served a Prohibition Order on Peabody under the Housing Act 2004. Peabody then applied to the Magistrates' Court for an order requiring the claimant to give vacant possession and allow remedial works. The claimant's second claim, issued on 16 January 2026, alleged that the council had failed to enforce the Prohibition Order, to recognise him as homeless under section 175 of the Housing Act 1996, and to reconsider his banding. Vikram Sachdeva KC, sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge, refused permission in both claims on the papers, and the claimant renewed both applications. His requests for an interpreter and an intermediary were refused. He attended court for the renewal hearing but declined to enter the courtroom.