R (Barda) v Mayor of London

High Court rejects Occupy Democracy’s challenge to fencing of Parliament Square Gardens.

In a further exploration of the exercise of Article 10 and 11 rights in Parliament Square, Garnham J rejected a challenge by protest movement Occupy London to the Mayor’s decision to fence off parts of Parliament Square Gardens as a response to sustained attempts to occupy the Square. The Court upheld the Mayor’s response as proportionate and lawful, and rejected the argument that the fencing infringed the rights to free expression and assembly. 

The full judgment is available here: http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2015/3584.html

Gerard Clarke, working with Jonathan Swift QC, was instructed by Transport for London Legal on behalf of the Mayor of London.