Who? Carolin Ott, senior associate at Leigh Day, London.
Why is she in the news? Successfully represented two residents who challenged Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council’s recently introduced council tax reduction scheme.
Thoughts on the case: ‘The success of this case was a huge relief to our clients and an important victory for nearly a quarter of working-age council tax support claimants in Trafford who were left worse off by its 2025 Council Tax Scheme. Our clients were hit with huge council tax bills under the new scheme despite not having paid any in previous years in recognition of their disability and caring responsibilities. The court found that the council never lawfully approved the scheme through a vote of the full council, as required by law. This rendered the scheme invalid. It went further to find that the scheme’s means test was discriminatory because it “double-counted” certain income, such as carer benefits and occupational pensions, already considered when calculating Universal Credit award. Our clients can now be confident that they will not face substantial council tax bills and the council must go back to the drawing board to ensure it puts a lawful scheme in place that protects rather than punishes its most vulnerable residents.’
Dealing with the media: ‘Despite seeking to protect their anonymity, both of our clients felt strongly that they wanted to ensure that the news about the issues they had identified with Trafford’s scheme was spread so that other vulnerable council tax support claimants were aware and could seek support. They were particularly concerned to discover that the council closed its welfare advice line after the scheme was introduced and tried to use media coverage of their court win to call for the council to urgently reinstate its welfare advice line.’
Why become a lawyer? ‘As the daughter of political refugees, I learned from a young age that speaking out against injustice is a privilege. I became a lawyer to try and make a positive impact by amplifying the voices of people who are not heard or listened to.’
Career high: ‘Being involved in a series of successful challenges regarding the failure to provide transitional protection for severely disabled people claiming Universal Credit. It was a privilege to see the positive impact on my clients.’
Career low: ‘Seeing human rights lawyers targeted and attacked for doing their jobs. Those seeking to uphold the rule of law should never face intimidation.’
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