Dr. Alice Irving
@AliceLIrving
Followers
3K
Following
2K
Media
53
Statuses
3K
Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers. Public Law, Housing, Community Care, Education. She/Her. All views my own & not those of Doughty Street Chambers.
Joined August 2018
I am a rape survivor who reported to the police only to be met with "it sounds like sex with regrets". I took a formal complaint and which they upheld. They said they would learn lessons. I can't even begin to explain how angry Philip Allott's comments make me.
96
773
6K
I've read that Starmer didn't raise the Rwanda plan in PMQs today. If that is correct, I cannot vote for a @UKLabour party under this leadership. I'm sorry, but some issues require a backbone.
1K
786
4K
Not to mention the constant attempts of the police to distance themselves from 'bad apples'. Until the police face up to the fact they are institutionally sexist and racist, nothing will change. Shame our current government doesn't believe those things exist either. 😡😡😡.
10
97
863
Solidarity with my colleagues at the criminal bar who have voted to take industrial action. A 2020 Bar Council paper submitted to the Treasury found that baby criminal barristers typically earn less than £13,000 per year pre-tax. If they worked 40 hours a week, that would be 1/n.
4
140
697
I want to say a huge thank you to the legal teams who have worked tirelessly to get the each individual off the flight that was meant to fly to Rwanda today. It's the beginning of a long battle no doubt, but for now. incredible incredible work.
5
41
391
Unfortunately today I join the growing number of people looking for gainful employment during the pandemic. If you know of any work opportunities that a Dr in law / qualified barrister with a heart for social justice might turn her hand to, please reply! Ta x.
47
289
363
There is *nothing* quite like getting a street-homeless client accommodation. Aspiring lawyers/current lawyers, if you've never done housing work, maybe consider it? 🏠🛌🏻.
12
38
322
If parents with sharp elbows were really the reason for the SEND budget issues - the silent premise in that being that they are accessing resources for their children they are not entitled to - then how is that: 🧵.
14
83
193
After a long delay, yesterday I finally graduated my doctorate. A huge thank you to my family, all the exceptional teachers and mentors I've had over the years and to my incredible supervisor Lucia Zedner.
30
0
182
I'm excited to announce that I will be joining the Housing and Social Welfare team at Doughty Street Chambers from September this year. @DoughtyStHSW @DoughtyStreet. Couldn't be more thrilled.
27
15
187
Tomorrow I will be attending a rally in support of Palestine. I am attending because of our government and the opposition's failure to condemn the war crimes being committed against the Palestinian people in clear terms.
21
9
134
who have trained for years and fought hard to become barristers. The work is gruelling, in terms of hours and the content my colleagues have to navigate. The justice system is broken. I didn't end up practising in criminal. I stand in solidarity with those who do as they strike💪🏻.
2
4
125
I also cannot see how it is bad that parents are sharing knowledge and learning about the law/diagnostic pathways etc. Don't we want people to be informed and proactive? There is nothing sinister about people being more informed. .
11
19
132
Hi everyone tweeting about the MT LGBTQ+ event and framing this as a cancel culture / free speech issue. What a lot of people aren't mentioning is this was an event billed as being the first dinner and mingle of a forum designed to *support and encourage LGBTQ+ barristers*.
6
13
120
The only trans judge in the UK has stood down because it is untenable to do her job in a dignified way in the current climate. A huge loss to the judiciary and for representation. This ought to cause some long overdue self-reflection in some quarters, but likely won't.
“I have reached the conclusion that in 2024 the national situation and present judicial framework is no longer such that it is possible in a dignified way to be both ‘trans’ and a salaried, fairly prominent judge in the UK.” - Master McCloud
129
43
114
Today is my first day with @DoughtyStHSW @DoughtyStreet Couldn't be more thrilled and proud to share my new chambers profile.
14
8
123
Huge congratulations to @SteveBroach. Today it was announced he will be a KC. Steve is a remarkable lawyer and has been a generous mentor to me, and many others at the bar. I know that he has made a difference to the lives of so many disabled people. Richly deserved.
7
9
117
I'm really proud and humbled to have been ranked as a "Rising Star" in Education Law in the Legal500, alongside some incredible barristers. Thank you to everyone who agreed to be a ref.
8
3
114
I understand the government already spent £140M on the failed Rwanda scheme. It should have been obvious that it would fail. I'll be thinking of that every time I'm told there is no money for housing, social care, education, benefits support. .
7
26
93
The rhetoric about parents illegitimately trying to seek diagnoses and support and poor parenting is dangerous. It leads in some cases to allegations of fabricated illness, extreme parental blame, and denial of essential support.
7
27
110
It's #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek. When I was a lecturer, I used to speak openly about having chronic depression. When I came to the bar, that stopped. I was told by some it was best to hide it, at least until I was established. I was asked more than once. .
2
14
97
The man I was talking to looked me up and down and asked me if i was independently wealthy, his comment being that you can't afford to live as a junior criminal defence lawyer without income from somewhere else. The situation is ridiculous. These are highly skilled people 3/n.
1
4
98
Thrilled that plans to exempt asylum accommodation from the HMO licensing regime have been dropped at the door of Court. A great team effort from @DuncanLewis @DoughtyStPublic @DoughtyStHSW Thrilled to have been involved in this case.
7
27
101
It's good to see this being picked up by the BBC. Local authorities are functioning in impossible circumstances funding-wise. The response to that should not be to blame parents or doubt the reality of SEND.
3
47
97
below minimum wage. I know that junior juniors work far more than 40 hours per week. This is not a 9-5 job. I vividly remember going to a law careers fair about five years ago and mentioning to someone I was considering working as a criminal defence lawyer 2/n.
1
5
89
This is unacceptable 👇 They've only had since March 2020 to figure out how to make important public briefings accessible.
No subtitles. No interpreter. No idea what he is saying. Downing Street Briefing on the new variant.
2
22
81
Thrilled to be ranked again this year in Legal 500 as a Tier 1 Rising Star in Education, and now also as a Rising Star in both Social Housing and Community Care. My aim is to provide clients with holistic legal advice, because people's lives aren't siloed into legal subjects.
5
3
83
Thrilled and incredibly humbled to be on this shortlist alongside some incredible lawyers. Thank you to everyone who supported my nomination. And a special thank you to @SteveBroach for his support and @DoughtyStHSW for offering me a home and being an incredibly supportive team.
9/ Legal Aid Newcomer:.Alice Irving - Doughty Street Chambers.Audrey Cherryl Mogan - Garden Court Chambers .Bianca St Prix - Hodge Jones & Allen.Killian Moran - Kesar & Co Solicitors
8
5
78
What really takes the🍰is when one of the Cllr's "takes offence" that people think Cllrs don't know what they're talking about. The horrifying ignorance in this debate is beyond belief. _With respect_ you have no f*ing idea what you're talking about.
"Why are there so many people now jumping out with these needs, where were they in the past when I was at school?".Maybe they were undiagnosed & struggling? Maybe they died in infancy? Maybe they were institutionalised - out of sight & out of mind? But they existed. They existed.
5
27
85
92% of complaints about SEN provision and EHCPs made to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in the 2022/23 year were upheld:
2
25
79
The #LALY21 are on tonight. Thank you to @WeAreLAPG @LagEvents for the incredible balloons and treats. Can't wait. @DoughtyStPublic @DoughtyStHSW
4
11
75
96% of SENDIST appeals decided between July-September 2022/3 were determined in favour of the Appellant (i.e. the parents or young person):
3
17
76
I'm really proud to be part of a group opening up the conversation at the bar around mental health and illness. We're setting BLEMI - Barristers With Lived Experience of Mental Illness. We're trying to raise some awareness (and our start up costs):
0
19
73
I'm in court tomorrow with @SteveBroach on this important challenge concerning timeframes to amend EHC Plans.
In court tomorrow - L, N and P v Devon, three #SEND families challenging their LAs interpretation of the SEND Regs 2014, which has the effect that there is no fixed deadline to amend EHC Plans. Details of how to ‘attend’ the hearing to follow for those interested.
10
13
76
It's pupillage gateway time. A friendly reminder that not all of us had a smooth path to the bar, so if you're having a rough one, kia kaha (Māori for stay strong). I was lucky to get pupillage first time, but then wasn't kept as a tenant. twice. .
1
4
72
Thrilled to have retained my "rising star" ranking in Education in the Legal 500, and to be listed as "up and coming" in Education in Chambers & Partners. Huge thanks to all my referees and whoever gave this kind quote. It's a privilege to work in this important area with y'all!
3
4
67
Happy Pride. As a sexual violence survivor and queer woman, to those using sexual violence and the rights of the queer community as arguments against recognising the rights of trans women, I want to say 'not in my name'. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
1
7
63
Thank you for all the well wishes and to the @LALYawards for making my day. #WeAreLegalAid This seems like a good time to remember that the path to the bar is not straightforward for many of us. I wasn't kept at two chambers before finding my home and my feet. Kia kaha.
5
6
64
As a woman who was the victim of a serious crime committed by a man when just walking home, I'm taking a break from social media; it is too stark a reminder. Thank you to those leading important conversations and challenging the idea that the onus is on women to 'stay safe'.
2
0
63
A 2019-20 survey found that in 96% of cases where a letter was sent under the judicial review pre-action protocol in relation to local authority failings, that resulted in the local authority taking all or some of the steps requested:
3
13
64
Former Supreme Court Judges say UK arming Israel breaches international law. The letter is still open for signatories, so please reach out! . #UKLawyersLetterGaza.
19
26
64
I'm really proud to have this article out with @SteveBroach in @CounselMagazine this month talking about @BLEMI_UK 🧵.
4
18
54
Significant Court of Appeal decision handed down today on redaction of civil servant names in judicial review. Privilege working on this with Laura Dubinsky KC, Sam Jacobs and Chris Knight (11kbw).
2
12
56
This was meant to be an event to welcome LGBTQ+ members of the bar. Wherever you are on trans rights, surely you can see this was *not* the occasion for GC feminists to insist on having a platform and to make it into a 'debate'.
3
2
48
It has now happened a number of times that a senior member of the legal profession has decided to respond to me - a relatively junior female barrister - on Twitter, as opposed to any of the other much more senior people saying / doing the same thing. I'm uncowed, but seriously?🤔.
15
0
52
Finally, lots of people have said I'm brave to speak. Any woman who has survived sexual violence is brave. We all respond differently. I was privileged enough to be able to take time off studies and to access private therapy to heal. Most women aren't in that position.
2
0
52
I'm absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted for Legal Aid Newcomer of the year #LALY21 Here's the link for the virtual awards ceremony. Do come and celebrate the work of legal aid lawyers. #WeAreLegalAid
3
3
53
We are in the Court of Appeal tomorrow on this 👇 Wish us luck!.
The dispute over whether local authorities have a fixed timeframe to issue amended EHC Plans after an annual review goes to the Court of Appeal tomorrow - L, M and P v Devon CC. However, appeal is only against High Court decision that claim was academic and should not be decided.
5
2
48
Really pleased to let you know that L,M,P v Devon has been handed down today and the Claimants were successful in their judicial review. This is an important case in relation to the timescales that apply following an EHCP Annual Review.👇🏻.
ⓝⓔⓦ L & Ors, R (On the Application Of) v Devon County Council [2022] EWHC 493 (Admin) (08 March 2022)
5
9
47
Our new housing pupil at @DoughtyStHSW Cara Hall provides a write up of a recent County Court decision in which Sarah Steinhardt instructed by Hodge Jones & Allen appeared and *100% rent was awarded for periods a property was unfit for human habitation*.
6
18
49
So the govt are consulting on overturning the result of L,M,P v Devon which I worked on alongside @KeithLomax2 @SteveBroach . Promptly amending EHCPs following review is essential to ensure children and YP get the provision they need. Plz do the survey.
7
37
51
It *wasn't* a debate. It wasn't even billed as being about trans rights. It was originally on the topic of banning gay conversion therapy. Somehow, at the last minute, it got changed. after people had bought tickets to one event, into something very different.
1
2
40
More great work from the @GoodLawProject. Proud to say I am instructed on this by @BindmansLLP and lead by the excellent Dan Squires QC. @DoughtyStPublic.
1
5
42
It is good that the use of ATUs is finally getting more coverage. all the best to the families working with @irwinmitchell fighting for their loved ones .
1
13
42
There are not enough housing lawyers to help everyone who needs and deserves help. If you're a law student / aspiring barrister / solicitor.
5
21
38
When I was a waitress, I once got offered a piano as a tip. Now that I'm a barrister, I can report being offered a kitten by a client. If it weren't for the incumbent cat in my life, I'd be seriously considering the ethical implications of accepting.
6
1
40
We will say it out loud: almost two-thirds of those who have died from Coronavirus were Disabled people.
3
39
41
Fantastic news and a huge credit to @BrilLiving @DrFrancesRyan and others who drew attention to this horribly regressive policy proposal.
*** STOP PRESS ***. @BristolCouncil have dropped the 'Fair and Affordable Care' policy. Statement soon. Huge thanks to everyone who has supported us and shared their concerns. ❤️
2
10
42
Just saw #LaughingBoy at @JSTheatre tonight. Such an important show and message, and so much fucking courage from @sarasiobhan and all the #justiceforlb campaigners. Thank you.
2
8
41
As someone who did her PhD in criminal law theory, looking at one aspect of the trend of overcriminalisation, I am so frustrated by centrist labour insisting on being 'tough on crime'.
2
3
41
And this from the SC bears repeating again and again: "In bringing that application, the appellant’s lawyers were performing their proper function of ensuring that their clients are not subjected to unlawful treatment at the hands of the Government."
0
7
38
Judge me, and others like me, by the quality of my work, not my diagnosis.
0
0
35
For all those who have commented, you could attend instead of jumping to conclusions? I'm a committed anti-sexual violence campaigner who cares deeply about women's rights. I'll be talking about protecting non-binary people from harassment at work. but also looking at. .
Join us on 10 February for 'Queering the Equality Act 2010' - chaired by Joe Middleton; we will hear from @dongreene, @AliceLIrving & @JonathanCoopr @outystreet. They will reimagine key Equality Act 2010 judgments from an intersectional queer perspective.
9
5
34
This is hair-raising, given how long an appeal already takes even when there is no mediation beforehand. I already have cases where, by the time the appeal has resolved, you're due your annual review already and it starts all over again.
The #SENDGreenPaper is proposing not just one but two compulsory stages before families can even lodge a Tribunal appeal - mediation, then local review. How can this level of bureaucracy be in the best interests of children? What is the benefit of local review?
5
20
37
Spoiler 🚨: I see parents and young people with *real* needs fighting for the support they are legally entitled to but are not receiving. I see an online community that supports each other to navigate a broken system, where diagnoses of ASD can take years to obtain. .
1
9
37
You know you're a housing law geek when you go out for a walk to your local park and force your partner to wait while you read the entire ASB Injunction which was been affixed to the gates of the park. .
3
0
35
Lots to look out for on Safety Valve agreements in the coming months 🧐 I know of 3 JRs issued challenging agreements entered in March: 1 against Bristol and 2 against Devon. I'm instructed on 2 claims by.@watkinssolic. There's also @ris_law instructing @OlliePersey 🙌🙌🙌.
2
20
36
Hard agree. Poor decision making by local authorities already result in children and young people with SEND missing out on essential support and education while an appeal is pending. That the Tribunal meant to resolve appeals is contributing a year to this delay is shocking.
It is a national disgrace that SEN Tribunals are now listing new hearings for EHCP appeals from September 2023 onwards. There is no guarantee of that hearing date going ahead either. More likely than not that those hearings will be bumped. Disabled children continue to suffer.
1
11
35
Congratulations @marieajparis @DoughtyStHSW for your @LALYawards Newcomer Finalist slot! You're a superstar. And to @DrOliverLewis @DoughtyStreet . It's a joy and privilege to have you as colleagues. 🤩🥰🥳 #TeamLALY.
2
4
32
❤️what @Kwajotweneboa says about RESPECT here. The Tory peer keeps saying "but the landlord owns it" as if being able to own property means you should have all the power- an attitude I see in my work regularly, which fails to recognise we're talking about a person's home.
"Are they deciding this based on their own self interests?". Social housing campaigner Kwajo Tweneboa challenges Conservative Peer Lord Vaizey on #PoliticsLive over the possible watering down of the Renters Reform Bill.
0
13
31
Sure, I have to look after myself. I do what I need to do to manage my likely life-long condition. It's part of who I am, but it doesn't define me and it doesn't mean I can't be a barrister. In fact, I do believe it gives me an invaluable empathy in the line of work I do.
1
0
29
Thank you for all the kind messages. Sadly, it doesn't surprise me that my tweet resonated so widely. To all my sisters, Kia Kaha (Māori for stay strong), and that means all my sisters, including my trans sisters. And fuck the patriarchy.
0
1
31
I'm doing my remote hearing from Oxford tomorrow so I can join this amazing line up at the @BonaveroIHR @OxHRH @OxfordLawFac Thank you for inviting and hosting me🙏Keen to talk about some areas of law that might not immediately spring to mind when you think 'human rights'. .
Join us at our Careers Fair TOMORROW: 5-7pm in the Sir Joseph Hotung Auditorium at @MansfieldOxford with @DaniellaLock @MurrayHunt @AliceLIrving Arabella Lang & Kabir Joshi. More info: @OxfordLawFac @OxLWOB @OxBHRNetwork @OxHRH @OxfordPIL @amnestyoxsoc.
1
4
32
A privilege to be instructed by @BrilLiving along with @DrOliverLewis to assist with their response to this draft policy, which if implemented risks forcing disabled people into care homes.
3
13
32
What makes me so angry is the strong implication that disabled people are lazy, when in fact many of my clients are the most resilient, remarkable and powerful people I've met.
1
5
29
Some really interesting things are going on in the Admin Court with suspended quashing orders and the court remaining involved to monitor compliance in the UAS children bridging hotels litigation. My write up here:
1
12
31
Thanks @LegalActionGrp ! I'm excited to be contributing to your important work. Where would practitioners be without LAG? 🤷🏻♀️.
LAG is delighted to welcome @AliceLIrving @DoughtyStPublic as our newest member of the team. Alice has experience across community care, housing, education and public law and we are looking forward to working with her.
0
6
30
An important piece on the use of anti-social behaviour injunctions. I worked with Stephen, who is interviewed in this piece about his experience.
2
17
31
Incredibly proud to be a colleague of Sarah Steinhardt @DoughtyStHSW. An absolutely stonking win on a disability discrimination counterclaim in ASBI proceedings. ASBI applicants take care.
2
7
29
Didn't see the Chambers & Partners quotes and wondered why my fiance was referring to me as "turbo-powered". I thought he'd spent too long working in policy. Thanks again to all those who acted as referees.
2
1
29
Thrilled to hear from the court today that a rolled up hearing challenging the downgrading of duties to those with EHCP during the pandemic will be going ahead later this month. I'm being led by @SteveBroach instructed by @polly_sweeney.
The Court has ordered today that our Judicial Review seeking to reinstate the core legal rights of children with SEND should be heard at a “rolled up” hearing on 29 and 30th July. This will include consideration of the lawfulness of the Notice which came into force on 1 July.
1
7
30
Congratulations to @SteveBroach. Future leader: diversity and inclusion! Tbh, Steve is a current leader and has been a mentor and inspiration to many young barristers, myself included. He remains one of v few senior barristers talking openly about mental illness 1/2.
I’m delighted to get this award (mainly for the idea that I’m still the future of anything). I’m accepting it for all the current and aspiring barristers who are working with @BLEMI_UK to show the Bar can be a place for people with lived experience of mental illness 1/2.
1
1
30
I love to see it. A great win for @CCLCUK @greggburrough1 @Edu_Lawyer An important reminder to LAs, the obligation to secure EHCP provision under s.42 CFA 2014 is in full force. Even if there is a waiting list and resource constraints.
2
10
29
Please spread the word that this new network for barristers and aspiring barristers with lived experience of mental illness is up and running !.
We are thrilled that BLEMI held its first full meeting this month. We have exciting plans to raise awareness of mental illness at the bar, to support one another, and to encourage aspiring barristers with lived experience of mental illness that they are not excluded from the bar.
0
12
30
Thrilled to be ranked as up and coming in education law and social housing in Chambers and Partners. Thanks again to all the fantastic solicitors I work with.
3
0
28
This is a great opportunity. I hadn't thought about being a housing lawyer when I was at uni, but now I do it, it's some of the most rewarding work I do. There is nothing like getting someone a roof over their head. This is true front line human rights work.
We are looking for two paralegals interested in housing law and social justice. Please submit your applications as soon as you can. Any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us on admin@hclc.org.uk.
1
3
25
Same tedious pile-on in response to a legal panel discussion about non-binary and trans-discrimination, including the inevitable personal attacks on speakers. So boring. People disagree with you. This sort of behaviour won't change anyone's mind.
3
2
27
Autism and ADHD assessment pathways are not fit for purpose. I have clients who have had to wait months, f not years, for assessment. Worse. 1/2
7
4
25
The bar is starting to talk about Wellness. But mental illness is still taboo. That has to change. There is no shame in having a mental illness. Anyone concerned about instructing a barrister who is open about their MH is basing that on assumptions and prejudice.
3
3
25
So well deserved. @SteveBroach has been an incredible mentor to me and many other junior barristers. #TeamSteve or #TeamBroach?.
We are thrilled to announce that Steve Broach has been shortlisted for the ‘Future Leader: Diversity & Inclusion’ award at the upcoming Chambers and Partners UK Bar Awards 2021. The awards ceremony will take place on the 18th November. @SteveBroach #diversityandinclusion.
1
1
30
@JohnHyde1982 @davidallengreen The context needs setting out. But there is a way to do that that isn't this scathing and there is certainly no need to lead with it. I'm not sure if you've been exposed to how people talk about drunk women who have been raped. trust me, this has resonance. That's not ok.
1
1
27
We are in court today. Privileged to be junior counsel for @GoodLawProject on this important case. Permission decision shortly. 🤞.
1
3
28
Thrilled to be instructed by @ris_law on this important case. We know from the LeDeR that health outcomes for those with learning disabilities are poor, even during normal circumstances. Now, equality in healthcare is more important than ever.
We're delighted to be instructed in this important case about the government's decision not to share data about deaths of learning disabled and autistic people. You can support the challenge here: #EveryDeathCounts #DisabilityRights.
0
6
27
Excited to receive the first copy of the community care law reports to which I've contributed as an editor. Thanks @LegalActionGrp !
1
5
27
A brief note from me on a useful case for defending Ground 8 possession claims in cases of significant arrears @DoughtyStHSW .
1
19
25
Fantastic work from @zianabi @DoughtyStHSW instructed by @clpsolicitors. An important judgment that the council's housing allocation scheme discriminated against households with disabled members. See my summary:
2
15
27