Anisa Begum, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Anisa Begum, R (on the application of) v London Borough of Tower Hamlets

The Court held that the respondent's use of a database (transfer list) for managing homeless applicants did not constitute a PCP that put women at a particular disadvantage compared to men. The statistical evidence did not demonstrate any disparate impact on women, and there was no causal link between the database and any alleged disadvantage. The respondent was also found to have complied with its public sector equality duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010.

Parties
Claimant/appellant: Anisa Begum; Defendant/respondent: London Borough of Tower Hamlets; Intervener: Shelter
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
31 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court (administrative Court) to Court of Appeal
Outcome
Appeal dismissed
Legal Topics
Indirect Discrimination, Public Sector Equality Duty, Homelessness Assistance, Judicial Review, Statutory Duties of Local Authorities
Administrative Law Equality and Discrimination Law Housing Law Indirect Discrimination Public Sector Equality Duty Homelessness Assistance Judicial Review Statutory Duties of Local Authorities

Case Brief

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Parties

Anisa Begum

Claimant/appellant

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Defendant/respondent

Shelter

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Civil Appeal / Appeal From High Court (administrative Court) to Court of Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the respondent applied a provision, criterion or practice (PCP) that put women, or women with children, at a particular disadvantage compared to men, contrary to section 19 of the Equality Act 2010.
  2. 2 Whether the respondent breached the public sector equality duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 in its handling of the appellant's housing application.

Ratio Decidendi

The Court held that the respondent's use of a database (transfer list) for managing homeless applicants did not constitute a PCP that put women at a particular disadvantage compared to men. The statistical evidence did not demonstrate any disparate impact on women, and there was no causal link between the database and any alleged disadvantage. The respondent was also found to have complied with its public sector equality duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed