‘No Jab, No Job’ mandate in healthcare revoked subject to consultation (1 Feb 2022)

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has just announced the revocation of the mandatory vaccination policy which required all frontline NHS staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by 1 April 2022, subject to public consultation and parliamentary approval.

FTA Law had issued a Judicial Review of the Government’s policy in the Administrative Court of the High Court of Justice and instructed leading specialist barrister, Sam Karim QC and his team, Sophie Hurst and Ifsa Mahmood of Kings Chambers.

Following issue of the Court claim, the Government announced their U-turn, having previously been provided with a detailed Letter of Claim setting out numerous Grounds challenging the decision.

FTA Law specialise in providing legal services for the healthcare sector. Lindsay Dixon is an Associate Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution Team and has over 20 years’ experience of civil litigation to include Judicial Review involving the Government. Lindsay said “this is a victory for common sense as the healthcare sector was set to lose an estimated 70,000 workers in the coming months, impacting on an already stretched service. It is of benefit to everyone that this will not now occur”.

Sam Karim QC is Head of Administrative Law at Kings Chambers and a leading specialist in Judicial Review. His involvement in this case adds to the catalogue of successful cases led by him in relation to COVID-19, including the removal of the 10pm curfew for the hospitality industry, and the 3 Tier system for restriction. Chief Clerk for Kings Chambers, Steve Loxton said, “We are pleased that Kings was involved in this important judicial review; it demonstrates the specialist expertise we hold in healthcare law and judicial review.”