Bulletin readers may recall that residents of the Dale Farm Traveller site in Essex have been trying to secure an injunction preventing their eviction.
The residents of Dale Farm failed in their initial attempt to prevent their eviction on 12 October. Ouseley J in the High Court refused leave for a judicial review, holding that it was "astonishing that the residents had left it so late to take legal action challenging the council's grounds for taking action."
Basildon Council chairman Tony Ball commented "Our position has been upheld. Having engaged with the legal system, they must now abide by the result. They have reached the end of the day and they should reflect on what the judge said, that the criminal law applies to all equally." Legal representatives of the Dale Farm residents appealed the High Court's decision unsuccessfully, with the Court of Appeal giving a final ruling on Monday 17 October.
Evictions were starting to take place as the PILA Bulletin went to press - with residents having prepared barricades ahead of violent confrontations with bailiffs and police. The Dale Farm Solidarity Campaign states that their solicitors are still seeking an emergency injunction to stop the evictions. You can follow the issue live on The Guardian news blog here.