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Case details

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services and another (Respondents) v Ruth Peters (Appellant) (Trinidad & Tobago)

Case ID: JCPC 2021/0021

Jurisdiction: Court of Appeal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Case summary

Issue

Was a policy that an applicant must be permanently disabled to access a welfare grant unlawful?

Facts

The Appellant was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome and medically assessed as having a 90% disability. The medical report stated the duration of disability was “one-year pending clinical report”. The Welfare Office determined the Appellant could not receive a Disability Assistance Grant as she was not permanently disabled.
The Appellant issued a claim for judicial review challenging the policy requirement that an applicant be permanently disabled to receive a Disability Assistance Grant.
The judge at first instance found in favour of the Appellant and the Court of Appeal in favour of the Respondents. The Appellant now appeals to the Board.

Parties

Appellant(s)

Ruth Peters

Respondent(s)

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services and another

Appeal

Justices

Lord Briggs, Lord Sales, Lord Burrows, Lord Hamblen, Lord Stephens

Hearing start date

27 March 2023

Hearing finish date

27 March 2023

Watch hearing
27 March 2023 Morning session
 

Judgment details

Judgment date

27 June 2023

Neutral citation

[2023] UKSC 23