London borough avoids contempt finding after completing works in disrepair case

Mr Justice Rajah had said in the High Court that the council took a "leisurely” approach and this had resulted in a "mad scramble” to get the matter before him.

Leaseholder Thomas Leveritt was left with unfinished works to his home despite the court order requiring Hackney Council to complete them by 31 May.

District Judge Beecham’s order was made after Mr Leveritt applied for an injunction requiring specific works to be done.

Hackney had asked for an extension to the order but Rajah J refused saying the council had placed insufficient evidence before him.

Questioning why Hackney had been so slow, Rajah J said: “It seems to me that there has been a very leisurely approach in circumstances where there was a fast approaching deadline,”

He said DJ Beecham had allowed sufficient time for the works and that if Hackney “chooses to commence the works in earnest two weeks before the hearing it can expect little sympathy from the court if it is not able to complete the works within that two weeks”

Steve Waddington, Hackney’s strategic director, housing services, said: "We are sorry it has taken us as long as it has to complete this work. It has taken longer than we originally expected as extra work needed was identified once work had already started.

"We apologise wholeheartedly to the resident for the distress and inconvenience this will have caused. We acknowledge the ruling of the Court, and the outstanding work from the 31 May deadline was completed on the 5th & 9th of June. The remaining work will be completed by 30th June, in accordance with the Court order.”

Mark Smulian