R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Subject Matter

SOCIAL SECURITY — Welfare benefits — Universal credit — Claim for universal credit by Romanian national living in United Kingdom with right to reside based on “pre-settled” status — Claim refused by virtue of amendment to social security rules preventing reliance on pre-settled status to meet residence tests on which entitlement to benefit conditional — Whether unlawful discrimination contrary to European Union law — Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/376), reg 9(1)(2)(3)(c)(i) (as amended by Social Security (Income-related Benefits) (Updating and Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/872), reg 8(3)(d)) — Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/1052), reg 14 — Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (1994) (HC 395), Appendix EU (as substituted by Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules 2020 (HC 120), para EU.1) — FEU Treaty, art 18FEU — Parliament and Council Directive 2004/38/EC, art 24

[2020] EWHC 998 (Admin); [2020] PTSR 1424; [2020] WLR(D) 253, QBD

SOCIAL SECURITY — Welfare benefits — Universal credit — Claim for universal credit by Romanian national living in United Kingdom with right to reside based on “pre-settled” status — Claim refused by virtue of amendment to social security rules preventing reliance on pre-settled status to meet residence tests on which entitlement to benefit conditional — Whether unlawful discrimination contrary to European Union law — Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/376), reg 9(1)(2)(3)(c)(i) — Social Security (Income-related Benefits) (Updating and Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/872) — Immigration Rules, Appendix EU — FEU Treaty, art 18 — Parliament and Council Directive 2004/38/EC, art 24

[2020] EWCA Civ 1741; [2021] PTSR 764; [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2020] WLR(D) 694, CA

SOCIAL SECURITY — Welfare benefits — Universal credit — Claims for universal credit by Romanian nationals living in United Kingdom with right to reside based on pre-settled status — Claims refused by virtue of amendment to social security rules preventing reliance on pre-settled status — Claimants’ appeals allowed on ground that amended rules contrary to prohibition on nationality discrimination under FEU Treaty — Secretary of State’s appeal stayed pending judgment of Court of Justice of European Union in similar case binding on UK courts — European court conclusively determining that relevant social security rules not resulting in discrimination contrary to Treaty — Whether claimants able to raise new argument in appeal

[2021] UKSC 53; [2022] PTSR 448; [2022] 3 All ER 1045, SC(E)

Appellate History

R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWHC 998 (Admin); [2020] PTSR 1424; [2020] WLR(D) 253, QBD

Decision of Swift J reversed

R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWCA Civ 1741; [2021] PTSR 764; [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2020] WLR(D) 694, CA

R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWCA Civ 1741; [2021] PTSR 764; [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2020] WLR(D) 694, CA

Decision of the Court of Appeal reversed

R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2021] UKSC 53; [2022] PTSR 448; [2022] 3 All ER 1045, SC(E)

Words & Phrases

"Pre-settled" — Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules (1994) (HC 395), Appendix EU (as substituted)

Cases Considered

Cases considered in: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2021] UKSC 53; [2022] PTSR 448; [2022] 3 All ER 1045, SC(E)


Cases considered in: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWCA Civ 1741; [2021] PTSR 764; [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2020] WLR(D) 694, CA

Bressol v Gouvernement de la Communauté française (Case C-73/08); EU:C:2010:181; [2010] 3 CMLR 20; [2010] ECR I-2735, ECJ Considered

Trojani v Centre public d'aide sociale de Bruxelles (Case C-456/02); EU:C:2004:488; [2004] All ER (EC) 1065; [2004] ECR I-7573, ECJ Applied


Cases considered in: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWHC 998 (Admin); [2020] PTSR 1424; [2020] WLR(D) 253, QBD

Trojani v Centre public d'aide sociale de Bruxelles (Case C-456/02); EU:C:2004:488; [2004] All ER (EC) 1065; [2004] ECR I-7573, ECJ Applied

Cases Cited

Cases cited in: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWHC 998 (Admin); [2020] PTSR 1424; [2020] WLR(D) 253, QBD

AA (Afghanistan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 12; The Times, 2 February 2007, CA

AMS v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (PC) (European Union law - free movement) [2017] UKUT 48 (AAC), UT (AAC)

Abdirahman v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2007] EWCA Civ 657; [2008] 1 WLR 254; [2007] 4 All ER 882, CA

Ahmad v Secretary of State for the Home Department (AIRE Centre intervening) [2014] EWCA Civ 988; [2015] 1 WLR 593; [2015] 1 All ER 933; [2014] WLR (D) 318, CA

Alhashem v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2016] EWCA Civ 395; [2017] QB 52; [2016] 3 WLR 853; [2016] WLR (D) 197, CA

Bressol v Gouvernement de la Communauté française (Case C-73/08); EU:C:2010:181; [2010] 3 CMLR 20; [2010] ECR I-2735, ECJ

CIS/2358/2006 (unreported) 13 October 2008, Social Security Comrs

CIS/3573/2005 (unreported) 12 May 2006, Social Security Comrs

CIS/865/2008 (unreported) 4 July 2008, Social Security Comrs

Chen v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Case C-200/02); EU:C:2004:639; [2005] QB 325; [2004] 3 WLR 1453; [2005] All ER (EC) 129, ECJ

Chief Adjudication Officer v Wolke [1997] 1 WLR 1640; [1998] 1 All ER 129; [1998] 1 FLR 444, HL(E)

Collins v Imtrat Handelsgesellschaft mbH (Joined Cases C‑92/92 and C‑326/92); (Joined cases C-92/92 and C-326/92); EU:C:1993:847; [1993] ECR I-5145, ECJ

Collins v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Case C-138/02); EU:C:2004:172; [2005] QB 145; [2004] 3 WLR 1236; [2005] ICR 37; [2004] All ER (EC) 1005, ECJ

Commission v Netherlands (Judgment) (Case C-233/14); EU:C:2016:396, ECJ

Dano v Jobcenter Leipzig (Case C-333/13); EU:C:2014:2358; [2015] 1 WLR 2519; [2015] All ER (EC) 1; [2014] WLR (D) 477, ECJ

European Commission v United Kingdom (Case C-308/14); EU:C:2015:666; EU:C:2016:436; [2016] 1 WLR 5049; [2016] WLR (D) 305, ECJ

Grzelczyk v Centre public d'aide sociale Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve (Case C-184/99); EU:C:2001:458; [2002] ICR 566; [2003] All ER (EC) 385; [2001] ECR I-6193, ECJ

Hoeckx v Openbaar Centrum voor Maatschappelijk Welzijn, Kalmthout (Case 249/83) EU:C:1985:139; [1985] ECR 973, ECJ

Ibrahim v Harrow London Borough Council (Secretary of State for the Home Department intervening) (Case C -310/08); (Case C-310/08); EU:C:2010:80; [2010] ICR 1118; [2010] PTSR 1913, ECJ

Jobcenter Berlin Neukölln v Alimanovic (Case C-67/14); EU:C:2015:597; [2016] QB 308; [2016] 2 WLR 208; [2015] WLR (D) 384, ECJ

Kaczmarek v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2008] EWCA Civ 1310; [2009] PTSR 897, CA

Martínez Sala v Freistaat Bayern (Case C-85/96); EU:C:1998:217; [1998] ECR I-2691, ECJ

Mirga v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2016] UKSC 1; [2016] 1 WLR 481; [2016] 2 All ER 447; [2016] WLR (D) 33; Case details, SC(E)

Patmalniece v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2011] UKSC 11; [2011] 1 WLR 783; [2011] PTSR 680; [2011] 3 All ER 1; [2011] WLR (D) 91; Case details, SC(E)

Pensionsversicherungsanstalt v Brey (Case C-140/12); EU:C:2013:565; [2014] 1 WLR 1080; [2014] All ER (EC) 534; [2013] WLR (D) 352, ECJ

R (AB) v The Secretary of State for the Home Department [2017] EWCA Civ 59, CA

R (HC) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (AIRE Centre intervening) [2017] UKSC 73; [2019] AC 845; [2017] 3 WLR 1486; [2018] 2 All ER 1; [2017] WLR (D) 761; Case details, SC(E)

R (Lounes) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Case C-165/16); EU:C:2017:862; [2018] QB 1060; [2018] 3 WLR 375; [2017] WLR(D) 762, ECJ

R(IS) 4/09 31 October 2007, Social Security Comrs

Revenue and Customs Comrs v Spiridinova [2014] NICA 63; [2015] 1 CMLR 26

Ruiz Zambrano v Office national de l'emploi (Case C-34/09); EU:C:2011:124; [2012] QB 265; [2012] 2 WLR 886; [2011] All ER (EC) 491; [2011] ECR I-1177; [2011] WLR (D) 81, ECJ (GC)

S v Minister voor Immigratie, Integratie en Asiel (Case C-457/12); EU:C:2014:136; [2014] QB 1207; [2014] 3 WLR 843; [2014] All ER (EC) 843; [2014] 3 CMLR 367; [2014] WLR (D) 121, ECJ

Saima v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions SC100/19/05186; (unreported) 16 December 2019, First-tier Tribunal (Social Security Chamber)

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v Dias (Case C-325/09); EU:C:2011:498; [2012] All ER (EC) 199, ECJ

Tolley v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Case C-430/15); EU:C:2017:74; [2017] 1 WLR 1261; [2017] WLR (D) 65, ECJ

Trojani v Centre public d'aide sociale de Bruxelles (Case C-456/02); EU:C:2004:488; [2004] All ER (EC) 1065; [2004] ECR I-7573, ECJ

Vestische Arbeit Jobcenter Kreis Recklinghausen v García-Nieto (Case C-299/14); EU:C:2015:366; EU:C:2016:114; [2016] 1 WLR 3089; [2016] WLR (D) 99, ECJ


Cases cited in: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWCA Civ 1741; [2021] PTSR 764; [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2020] WLR(D) 694, CA

Abdirahman v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2007] EWCA Civ 657; [2008] 1 WLR 254; [2007] 4 All ER 882, CA

Alhashem v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2016] EWCA Civ 395; [2017] QB 52; [2016] 3 WLR 853; [2016] WLR (D) 197, CA

Antonio Bocero Torrico and Jörg Paul Konrad Fritz Bode v Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social and Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (Joined Cases C-398/18 and C-428/18); EU:C:2019:1050, ECJ

Bressol v Gouvernement de la Communauté française (Case C-73/08); EU:C:2010:181; [2010] 3 CMLR 20; [2010] ECR I-2735, ECJ

CIS/2358/2006 (unreported) 13 October 2008, Social Security Comrs

CIS/3573/2005 (unreported) 12 May 2006, Social Security Comrs

CIS/865/2008 (unreported) 4 July 2008, Social Security Comrs

Dano v Jobcenter Leipzig (Case C-333/13); EU:C:2014:2358; [2015] 1 WLR 2519; [2015] All ER (EC) 1; [2014] WLR (D) 477, ECJ

European Commission v United Kingdom (Case C-308/14); EU:C:2015:666; EU:C:2016:436; [2016] 1 WLR 5049; [2016] WLR (D) 305, ECJ

Grzelczyk v Centre public d'aide sociale Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve (Case C-184/99); EU:C:2001:458; [2002] ICR 566; [2003] All ER (EC) 385; [2001] ECR I-6193, ECJ

Jobcenter Berlin Neukölln v Alimanovic (Case C-67/14); EU:C:2015:597; [2016] QB 308; [2016] 2 WLR 208; [2015] WLR (D) 384, ECJ

Jobcenter Krefeld - Widerspruchsstelle v JD (Case C-181/19); EU:C:2020:794, ECJ

Martínez Sala v Freistaat Bayern (Case C-85/96); EU:C:1998:217; [1998] ECR I-2691, ECJ

Mirga v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2016] UKSC 1; [2016] 1 WLR 481; [2016] 2 All ER 447; [2016] WLR (D) 33; Case details, SC(E)

Office national d’allocations familiales pour travailleurs salariés (ONAFTS) v Ahmed (Case C-45/12); EU:C:2013:390; [2013] CN 885, ECJ

Onu v Akwiwu [2016] UKSC 31; [2016] 1 WLR 2653; [2016] ICR 756; [2017] 1 All ER 985; [2016] WLR (D) 319; Case details, SC(E)

Patmalniece v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2011] UKSC 11; [2011] 1 WLR 783; [2011] PTSR 680; [2011] 3 All ER 1; [2011] WLR (D) 91; Case details, SC(E)

Pensionsversicherungsanstalt v Brey (Case C-140/12); EU:C:2013:565; [2014] 1 WLR 1080; [2014] All ER (EC) 534; [2013] WLR (D) 352, ECJ

R (Coll) v Secretary of State for Justice [2017] UKSC 40; [2017] 1 WLR 2093; [2018] 1 All ER 31; [2017] WLR (D) 375; Case details, SC(E)

R (HC) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (AIRE Centre intervening) [2015] EWCA Civ 49; [2016] QB 455; [2015] 3 WLR 1867; [2015] WLR (D) 61, CA

R v Secretary of State for Employment, Ex p Seymour-Smith [1999] 2 AC 554; [1999] 3 WLR 460; [1999] ICR 447, ECJ

R v Secretary of State for Employment, Ex p Seymour-Smith (No 2) [2000] 1 WLR 435; [2000] ICR 244; [2000] 1 All ER 857, HL(E)

R(IS) 4/09 31 October 2007, Social Security Comrs

Saima v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions SC100/19/05186 (unreported) 16 December 2019, First-tier Tribunal (Social Security Chamber)

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v Dias (Case C-325/09); EU:C:2011:498; [2012] All ER (EC) 199, ECJ

Shamoon v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary [2003] UKHL 11; [2003] ICR 337; [2003] 2 All ER 26, HL(NI)

Stach v Department For Communities & Anor [2020] NICA 4, CA (NI)

The Scotch Whisky Association v The Lord Advocate (Case C-333/14); EU:C:2015:845; [2016] 1 WLR 2283; [2015] WLR (D) 544, ECJ

Trojani v Centre public d'aide sociale de Bruxelles (Case C-456/02); EU:C:2004:488; [2004] All ER (EC) 1065; [2004] ECR I-7573, ECJ

Vera Hoeckx v Openbaar Centrum voor Maatschappelijk Welzijn, Kalmthout. (Case C-249/83); EU:C:1985:139, ECJ

Vestische Arbeit Jobcenter Kreis Recklinghausen v García-Nieto (Case C-299/14); EU:C:2015:366; EU:C:2016:114; [2016] 1 WLR 3089; [2016] WLR (D) 99, ECJ

Wilson v First County Trust Ltd (No 2) [2003] UKHL 40; [2004] 1 AC 816; [2003] 3 WLR 568; [2003] 4 All ER 97; [2003] 2 All ER (Comm) 491, HL(E)


Cases cited in: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2021] UKSC 53; [2022] PTSR 448; [2022] 3 All ER 1045, SC(E)

Bressol v Gouvernement de la Communauté française (Case C-73/08); EU:C:2010:181; [2010] 3 CMLR 20; [2010] ECR I-2735, ECJ

CG v Department for Communities in Northern Ireland (Case C-709/20); EU:C:2021:602; EU:C:2021:515; [2021] 1 WLR 5919; [2021] WLR(D) 398, ECJ (GC)

Dano v Jobcenter Leipzig (Case C-333/13); EU:C:2014:2358; [2015] 1 WLR 2519; [2015] All ER (EC) 1; [2014] WLR (D) 477, ECJ

Patmalniece v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2011] UKSC 11; [2011] 1 WLR 783; [2011] PTSR 680; [2011] 3 All ER 1; [2011] WLR (D) 91; Case details, SC(E)

Test Claimants in the FII Group Litigation v Revenue and Customs Comrs (formerly Inland Revenue Comrs) [2020] UKSC 47; [2022] AC 1; [2020] 3 WLR 1369; [2021] 1 All ER 1001; [2020] STC 2387; [2020] WLR (D) 630, SC(E)

Cases citing

Cases citing: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWHC 998 (Admin); [2020] PTSR 1424; [2020] WLR(D) 253, QBD

Fertré v Vale of White Horse District Council [2024] EWHC 1754 (KB); [2024] WLR(D) 344, KBD


Cases citing: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2020] EWCA Civ 1741; [2021] PTSR 764; [2021] 3 All ER 1043; [2020] WLR(D) 694, CA

CG v Department for Communities in Northern Ireland (Case C-709/20); EU:C:2021:602; EU:C:2021:515; [2021] 1 WLR 5919; [2021] WLR(D) 398, ECJ (GC)

Fertré v Vale of White Horse District Council [2024] EWHC 1754 (KB); [2024] WLR(D) 344, KBD

R (King) v Secretary of State for Education [2021] EWHC 2509 (Admin), QBD

R (ST) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWHC 1085 (Admin); [2021] 1 WLR 6047; [2021] WLR(D) 251, DC

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v AT [2023] EWCA Civ 1307; [2024] 2 WLR 967; [2024] 3 All ER 1020, CA

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v AT [2022] UKUT 330 (AAC); [2023] 1 WLR 2669; [2023] WLR(D) 223, UT

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v W V (UC) () [2023] UKUT 112 (AAC), UT


Cases citing: R (Fratila) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2021] UKSC 53; [2022] PTSR 448; [2022] 3 All ER 1045, SC(E)

Fertré v Vale of White Horse District Council [2024] EWHC 1754 (KB); [2024] WLR(D) 344, KBD

Lipton v BA Cityflyer Ltd [2024] UKSC 24; [2024] 3 WLR 474; [2024] 2 Lloyd's Rep 167; [2024] WLR(D) 325, SC(E)

R (Independent Monitoring Authority for the Citizens’ Rights Agreements) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 3274 (Admin); [2023] 1 WLR 817; [2023] WLR(D) 6, KBD

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions v AT [2022] UKUT 330 (AAC); [2023] 1 WLR 2669; [2023] WLR(D) 223, UT

Commentary

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