Figures released under a Freedom of Information request by Homeless Project Scotland have revealed that the council received over 700 threats of judicial review in a recent three-month period. The vast majority of these legal challenges are initiated to compel the council to provide accommodation for homeless individuals.

Solicitors acting on behalf of Homeless Project Scotland submitted the highest number of legal warnings, with 424 notifications sent in the 12 weeks leading up to 9 June 2025. The charity, which currently faces a planning dispute with the council over its night shelter on Glassford Street, says it resorts to legal threats to ensure vulnerable people are not left on the streets.

Colin McInnes, chair of Homeless Project Scotland, told Glasgow Times: “The law is there to be used to protect vulnerable people and the council’s responsibilities on homelessness are clear. We will seek to ensure the council is held to account and will use legal means to get people the accommodation they are legally entitled to.”

Other legal bodies also frequently threaten judicial reviews, with Govan Law Centre submitting 205 cases and Shelter Scotland 131 in the same period.

Glasgow City Council has said that the figures include duplicate threats for the same cases and instances where the issue has already been resolved. A council spokesperson confirmed that potential judicial reviews are a frequent occurrence, often on a daily basis.

“The majority of cases do not even make it to court,” the spokesperson said. “This is because we either don’t have a responsibility for the person/s involved or they already have accommodation in Glasgow or elsewhere. In situations where we do have a responsibility, it is usual for accommodation to be arranged before it gets to court.”

The council added that efforts to secure accommodation are often underway before a legal threat is received and that it utilises hotels and B&Bs to meet immediate demand.

“We obviously try and accommodate everyone who presents as homeless,” a council spokesperson said. “In cases where we can’t accommodate, we explore all options available to them and remain in touch in order that we can offer accommodation as soon as we are able.”