Leading international law firm Clifford Chance, acting on behalf of Sistah Space, challenged Hackney Council’s eviction of Sistah Space from its premises on Mare Street, London.
Sistah Space, a charity specialising in providing support for domestic violence survivors from the African and Caribbean communities, were first formally notified of Hackney Council’s decision to evict them from their premises in August 2020. Sistah Space were also asked to relocate to a premises that they had already previously expressed safety concerns about.
Soon after receiving this notification from the council, through Accelerate>>>, the Clifford Chance global gender parity group, Sistah Space contacted Clifford Chance to assist it in challenging the council’s decision.
Clifford Chance’s Property Litigation team took the case on and challenged the council’s ability to evict Sistah Space. Clifford Chance proposed an expedited mediation with a view to achieving a resolution to the dispute as soon as possible in order to enable the charity to undertake its vital work supporting women and families, in a safe space. Sistah Space procured three risk assessments, which confirmed that the alternative premises proposed by Hackney Council were unsafe for the use of those experiencing domestic violence.
Following mediation, Sistah Space were granted a new licence to occupy the premises that they had been previously evicted from Mare Street. This licence enables the charity to continue to carry out its essential work in the community whilst having the headspace to find a permanent premises for its long-term sustainability.
Clifford Chance Associate Kishan Parshotam, said “It is a privilege to act for such an inspiring client that is both a pleasure to work with and who provides a vital service to African and Caribbean heritage women & girls who’ve experienced domestic or sexual abuse or who have lost a loved one to domestic violence in and around Hackney.”
The Clifford Chance Property Litigation team consisted of Ben Hatton (Director of Property Litigation), Kishan Parshotam (Associate) and Leo Lou (Trainee Solicitor). The team was supported by Marcus Wright (Director) and Margaret Olaniyan (Associate) in the transactional real estate department on the negotiation of the new licence and Alice Jefferis as Chair of Accelerate>>>.
For further information on Clifford Chance’s property litigation team please click here and for further information on Clifford Chance’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives relating to gender please click here.
