Social Housing

Edward Fitzpatrick handles a wide range of housing and property matters for tenants and applicants. He earns consistent praise for his measured and meticulous approach to complex homelessness and anti-social behaviour litigation. He also garners accolades for his work in possession proceedings, particularly where Equality Act or human rights issues are raised. He also has expert knowledge of leasehold disputes.

"Edward is a leading barrister. He deals with a wide range of housing work and takes a pragmatic approach to cases. He is a brilliant advocate and willing to undertake a challenge."

"Ed's breadth of knowledge and approachable manner make him counsel of first choice."

"Edward is our go-to and always goes that extra mile."

Bethan Harris specialises in cases with combined housing, capacity and community care aspects, often acting for disabled or otherwise vulnerable clients. She sits on the Panel of Counsel for the Equality and Human Rights Commission and regularly speaks on developments in social housing law. She is also frequently sought after for her expertise in housing benefits. She often acts for vulnerable tenants in possession proceedings.

"Bethan's advice and guidance have been really excellent."

Connor Johnston is a recognised housing and homelessness specialist with a growing reputation for technically complex possession cases and judicial review. He continues to be committed to publicly funded social housing work and is known for producing an impressive amount of written work on the subject. He is co-author of 'Housing Allocation and Homelessness'. He attracts praise for his skills in representing vulnerable tenants and applicants, many of whom lack capacity.

"Connor is my number one choice of barrister in housing work. He is a pleasure to work with. He is very intelligent and knows the law inside out."

"Connor is a leading light in housing law. He leaves no stone unturned to achieve the best outcome for those we assist."

Liz Davies KC has vast experience in the social housing sector and is recognised for her outstanding knowledge of homelessness law, which she demonstrates in court and in her authoritative writing on the subject. She continues to act in an impressive amount of homelessness appeals, frequently developing the law. She also advises local authorities on allocation schemes, and draws on her broader expertise in the fields of community care and administrative law to buttress her highly esteemed housing practice. She was instructed as counsel in Phase 1 of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

"Her advocacy is excellent and her work on documents is penetrating and extremely thorough. Her status as a KC is very well deserved."

"She was incredibly knowledgeable, thorough and creative with the law. Liz is utterly brilliant and thoroughly deserves silk. She was a pleasure to work with."

"Liz has extensive knowledge of homelessness legislation, public law and social welfare. She is helpful and responsive."

Marina Sergides has a broad social housing practice encompassing areas such as homelessness, unlawful eviction and disrepair. She offers enviable experience in possession claims, particularly as they relate to Article 8 and public law, and is adept at handling cases at the intersection of community care and housing law. She is also well versed in handling anti-social behaviour claims and attracts praise for her ability to work with vulnerable clients.

"Marina Sergides is a fantastic fighter for clients."

"Marina has an excellent and easygoing demeanour which puts solicitors and clients at ease. In the courtroom, her advocacy is effective and at times fierce. She knows how to fight hard for her clients"

"Marina is dedicated and consistent. She provides reassurance, specialist advice and impressive advocacy."

Nick Bano is a notable junior in the field of social housing who enjoys a strong reputation for his skills in representing tenants and applicants in a range of housing matters. His thriving practice takes in homelessness appeals, disrepair claims and possession proceedings, among others.

"He's been brilliant, technically brilliant on the law and I can pick up the phone and ask questions. He is the expert in this area."

"His ability to think of alternative and strategic approaches to cases is impressive."

Tessa Buchanan is a widely respected junior with an impressive track record of representing clients across a broad range of social housing cases. Her particular strength lies in the area of homelessness and she has acted before the Court of Appeal. She is also incredibly knowledgeable in allocation matters.

"Tessa is a very experienced and knowledgeable practitioner. She is thorough and has an ability to grasp fine details while cutting through to the key points."

"An excellent barrister."

Timothy Baldwin is a dedicated junior with a reputation for taking on challenging and legally complex social housing work. His practice typically concerns homelessness and allocation cases for tenants with mental health issues or specialist community care needs. He also impresses with his representation of tenants in unlawful eviction and disrepair claims, as well as service charge disputes.

"Tim is my go-to on housing Judicial Review matters and he turns the work around expeditiously. He is always on top of deadlines and keeps in touch with you when running a case."

"Tim is a stalwart barrister whose strength lies in his capacity to digest and distil voluminous paperwork in short order and transform it into a tightly drafted statement of case."

"Tim's knowledge of the Care Act and the Equality Act is astounding. His paperwork and advocacy are exceptional."

Catherine O'Donnell is an experienced junior with a wide-ranging practice that encompasses disrepair and housing condition claims alongside possession orders. She also frequently acts for the Official Solicitor.

"Catherine O'Donnell is someone who builds up rapport with the clients. She's got skill with vulnerable clients."

"Catherine O'Donnell is always very well prepared and has an unrivalled knowledge of housing disrepair law."

Justine Compton is an accomplished housing junior with specialist knowledge of Traveller law. She is also notable for her impressive defence of possession claims and is frequently instructed by the Official Solicitor. In addition to her advocacy, she routinely writes and lectures on various aspects of social housing legislation.

"Her ability to navigate complex legal issues, coupled with effective advocacy, greatly contributed to the success of our collaborative efforts."

"Justine Compton is thorough and approaches cases practically. She is very good with clients."

"Justine is a robust advocate and works well with vulnerable clients and puts them at ease. She argues all points in court and is a robust and convincing advocate."

Kevin Gannon has a notable presence in the social housing sphere, having appeared in cases regarding disrepair and homelessness. He also has substantial experience of possession proceedings. His practice is fortified by his public law expertise, which takes in immigration and human rights matters. He also sits part-time as a social security tribunal judge.

"Kevin is very knowledgeable and experienced. He is quick to consider matters and provide full, detailed and reasoned advice."

"Kevin Gannon is a super barrister to work with. He is an expert in many areas of law covering social housing, homelessness, social welfare, public law and residential property litigation."

"He has a holistic approach to his work and is very easy to work with. Kevin’s advice is always clear and concise, and he is also a highly skilled advocate."

Adrian Marshall Williams is noted for his broad social housing practice, which includes possession claims and homelessness appeals. He has significant expertise in cases concerning mental health and capacity issues.

"He is to the point and precise in his advice, and works with you to formulate a case plan moving forward with complex cases."

"Adrian is quick to respond and always provides well-thought-out, reasoned and detailed advice, which is very helpful. He considers matters from all angles."

"Adrian has excellent expertise in all aspects housing law. He is a fearless advocate."

"Adrian Marshall Williams is an intelligent, meticulous, brave and brilliant advocate. He produces excellent written work. He is very committed to cases and goes the extra mile."

Stephen Cottle is an established junior with extensive experience of the full range of social housing issues. He is known for his specialism in Gypsy and Traveller law, and also frequently acts for tenants and applicants in possession proceedings, homelessness appeals and disrepair claims. His housing practice is strengthened by his wide-ranging knowledge of equality issues and human rights law.

"Stephen Cottle remains a tenacious, strong and compelling advocate. My first choice for all housing and related matters."

"Clients love his determination in pursuing the goals set and achieving the best outcome for the client. He puts clients at ease very quickly. He is just exceptional."

Angharad Monk is an up-and-coming barrister in the social housing space with extensive experience in judicial review matters in particular. Monk has knowledge of a wide range of knowledge of homelessness and tenancy dispute issues, among many other areas.

"Angharad is as brilliant as she is ruthless. She approaches the law with concision and a real attention to detail that makes her stand out. She is a reliable junior and is doing some great work."

"Angharad is a go-to counsel in housing matters. She is brilliant, responsive and achieves excellent results and she has unmatched commitment to the publicly funded client."