Theophilus v Lewisham LBC
Ms Theophilus was a Lewisham resident. She applied to the council for financial support to move to Dublin to study. The council agreed and she moved to Ireland. Some weeks later the council realised it had made a mistake and told her she was not entitled to support. She applied for a judicial review.

The key question was whether the council had any legal power to pay for her accommodation and other support. The judge decided that the Local Government Act 2000 empowered a local authority to do "anything" to promote economic or social well-being. That power could be exercised for the benefit of all council residents and could include giving financial assistance. That meant that the council could pay for accommodation costs and other financial support for Ms Theophilus.

The council would have to reconsider its withdrawal of funding after the pledge of support it had made.