Mathew Gullick KC and Matthew Cannings in Court of Appeal over the introduction of property licensing schemes

21st January 2026

On 20 January 2026, 3PB's Mathew Gullick KCMathew Gullick KCCall: 2003Silk: 2021 and Matthew CanningsMatthew CanningsCall: 2006 (pictured here, left to right) appeared before the Court of Appeal in R (on the application of Luton Landlords & Letting Agents Ltd) v Luton Borough Council, a dispute over the introduction of property licensing schemes in Luton.

In the High Court, Mrs Justice Heather Williams determined that the Appellant company did not have standing to bring the claim under section 31(3) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 and that, in any event, none of the grounds of challenge were arguable: [2024] EWHC 2979 (Admin). The Appellant has now appealed against those decisions to the Court of Appeal.

The case involves a rare consideration at appellate level of the concept of "associational standing" in judicial review claims, and the steps taken by a local authority when implementing Housing Act 2004 property licensing schemes.

Mathew and Matthew represented Luton Borough Council both at first instance and in the Court of Appeal. Judgment has been reserved.

To contact or instruct Mathew, please email his Practice Director, Russell Porter on [email protected] or call him on 01865 793 736/020 7583 8055. If you wish to contact or instruct Matthew, please contact Mark Heath at [email protected] or telephone 0117 928 1520.