4-5 Gray's Inn Square is well known for ‘its strength as a reservoir of talent for social housing law‘. Recent instructions include Toby Vanhegan appearing before the Court of Appeal in Rowe v Haringey LBC, which concerned the issue of statutory overcrowding in the context of a homelessness application. Jonathan Manning and Ian Peacock have established expertise in advising on homelessness matters; Manning is also singled out for his solid track record in handling landlord and tenant work. Annette Cafferkey acts for landlords, tenants and local authorities in possession claims, allocation matters and cases involving allegations of disability discrimination. Stephanie Lovegrove is ‘confident and very responsive, an excellent communicator and advocate‘.
Social housing in
London Bar
4-5 Gray's Inn Square
Testimonials
‘Emily Martin is an excellent clerk.’
‘Emily Martin is fantastic.’
‘Emily Martin is brilliant.’
‘An excellent set with many knowledgeable barristers.’
‘Responsive, efficient and helpful.’
‘The clerks are all good and efficient.’
‘The clerking is excellent.’
Cornerstone Barristers
The 'very good housing set' Cornerstone Barristers is highly regarded for its expertise at handling the full range of housing law matters; 'the wealth of barristers with knowledge on housing law is phenomenal'. Ranjit Bhose KC regularly represents social landlords, housing associations and local housing authorities in a broad spectrum of work, and Kelvin Rutledge KC has an excellent track record in handling homelessness cases and housing allocation matters. Dean Underwood 'knows housing law through and through' and is 'calm on his feet', and Andrew Lane is 'a smiling assassin' - 'his advocacy style is very effective'. In March 2023 Kuljit Bhogal KC was appointed to silk.
Testimonials
‘The clerking team are all brilliant. George Regan stands out. He is available, helpful, and well organised.’
‘Chelsea Thomas is extremely accommodating and is always ready to assist.’
‘Cornerstone Barristers is first class in this field.’
‘A well-respected chambers.’
‘A very well organised and structured chambers.’
‘Exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled barristers.’
‘A high quality set.’
‘All the clerks are helpful.’
Doughty Street Chambers
Doughty Street Chambers is 'a leading housing law set with great breadth and depth' and a 'very talented' team. Martin Westgate KC and Daniel Clarke represented the applicant in Kaye v Lees, a High Court case involving the first application of the provisions of the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, which allows a moratorium to be granted when a person is undergoing treatment for a mental health crisis. The case involved a creditor’s application for the cancellation of a mental health crisis moratorium (MHCM), or alternatively to enforce a debt despite the MHCM; the High Court dismissed the application. In 2023 Ben Chataway was appointed as a District Judge, and Matthew Lee joined the team from Lamb Building.
Testimonials
‘Doughty Street always provides top quality counsel.’
‘A wide selection of extremely experienced and knowledgeable barristers.’
‘An excellent social housing team.’
‘The social housing team is great.’
‘A strong set.’
‘The clerks at Doughty Street provide a superb service.’
‘The clerks are very responsive.’
‘They are always highly efficient, friendly and flexible.’
Five Paper
Five Paper is lauded as 'a specialist set for housing' and 'a go-to for social landlords'. Nicholas Grundy KC regularly represents public sector landlords in cases involving human rights and EU law matters, as well as discrimination issues. Among the junior end of chambers, Stephen Evans is 'robust and persuasive'; Sam Phillips is 'highly skilled at cutting through complex cases to identify the key points' and 'fantastic on his feet'; and Elizabeth England is 'very thorough' - 'her cross-examination is formidable'. Jennifer Moate is well known for handling a broad range of housing matters, including disrepair and possession claims, homelessness issues and anti-social behaviour injunctions.
Testimonials
‘David Portch is brilliant and incredibly responsive.’
‘David Portch is a first rate clerk.’
‘Ella Warmerdam is friendly, courteous and helpful.’
‘Ella Warmerdam is very helpful.’
‘A strong set with a wealth of experience in social housing.’
‘Five Paper is a well-established set.’
‘A great set.’
‘The barristers are extremely knowledgeable and easy to approach.’
Garden Court Chambers
'A first-rate set', Garden Court Chambers is home to a team lauded as 'outstanding in the field of housing law'. The 'brilliant' Liz Davies KC, a housing law specialist, is highly regarded for her expertise in advising on homelessness matters. Recent instructions include Edward Fitzpatrick and Tim Baldwin representing the appellants in Rakusen v Jepsen and others, a Supreme Court appeal concerning a longrunning dispute over whether Rent Repayment Orders (RRO), made under Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, can only be made against an immediate landlord of a tenant, or whether an RRO can also be made against a superior landlord. Catherine O’Donnell is sought after for her excellent track record in advising on disrepair claims.
Testimonials
‘Tim Hempsted is very helpful and goes out of his way to assist.’
‘Tim Hempsted, Joe Fraser and Eidvile Banionyte work well together and are always able to provide a barrister when needed.’
‘Tim Hempsted is reliable and communicative.’
‘Eidvile Banionyte is a pleasure to deal with. She is efficient and friendly.’
‘Garden Court Chambers has exceptional strength in depth – all counsel are of the highest quality.’
‘The chambers has in-depth knowledge of social housing.’
‘There is excellent strength in depth.’
‘A proactive set which goes that extra mile to help clients.’
42BR Barristers
42BR Barristers's social housing practice stands out for its 'specialist knowledge of the sector' and 'extremely knowledgeable and talented counsel'. Newly appointed silk Iris Ferber KC is 'a tenacious advocate' with 'a deep understanding of disrepair matters'; she is acting for the claimants in an ongoing disrepair claim brought against a private landlord concerning a private groundwater supply, which was contaminated with Legionella bacteria, being provided to the tenants at the property. At the junior end of chambers, Desmond Kilcoyne 'demonstrates a strong command of his practice area, which enables him to provide accurate advice' and is sought after by social housing providers, and the 'first-class advocate' Naomi Hawkes has expertise in anti-social behaviour claims, homelessness matters and cases involving intersection with human rights issues. Mathew McDermott is 'very good on his feet in court' and has a strong track record in acting in judicial reviews concerning local authorities’ homelessness duties.
Testimonials
‘Steve Sheridan is a brilliant team leader. He is always prompt and efficient at resolving issues.’
‘A great set.’
‘A strong set.’
‘Great availability of counsel.’
‘The clerks are all extremely efficient.’
‘The clerks are all very helpful.’
‘The clerks at 42BR are always extremely professional, polite and helpful.’
Field Court Chambers
At Field Court Chambers, Clare Cullen, a specialist in housing and property law, is well versed in acting for public and private clients in a wide spectrum of social housing work, including disrepair claims, homelessness cases and possession matters. Emma Godfrey has established strength in representing local housing authorities, landlords and tenants, and Genevieve Screeche-Powell has an excellent track record in handling complex, high-profile cases in the space, with noted expertise in advising on cases involving capacity issues and allegations of disability discrimination.
Gatehouse Chambers
At Gatehouse Chambers, members act for landlords, tenants, social housing providers and local authorities in a broad range of social housing matters, including disrepair and possession claims and anti-social behaviour injunctions. Alison Meacher is very well versed in representing vulnerable clients, and advises local authorities, social housing providers and care providers as well as tenants. Laura Tweedy is acting for the social housing provider in Orione Care v Adams, an ongoing case involving extreme hoarding behaviour and issues surrounding building safety. Morayo Fagborun Bennett was appointed a District Judge in November 2023.
Landmark Chambers
Landmark Chambers's team of 'excellent barristers' has a strong track record in representing government entities, social landlords and tenants across a range of social housing matters. Justin Bates' 'knowledge of the field is encyclopaedic and his advocacy is attractively clear and persuasive, and well shaped to the court'. Bates is acting for a social landlord in litigation concerning whether the client had correctly calculated service charges due under a Right to Buy lease term. The 'very sharp' Brooke Lyne is 'an excellent advocate', and regularly advises on leasehold disputes.
Testimonials
‘Harry Feldman is always incredibly efficient and helpful.’
‘Harry Feldman is an excellent clerk.’
‘The barristers are very able.’
4-5 Gray's Inn Square
Testimonials
‘Emily Martin is an excellent clerk.’
‘Emily Martin is fantastic.’
‘Emily Martin is brilliant.’
‘An excellent set with many knowledgeable barristers.’
‘Responsive, efficient and helpful.’
‘The clerks are all good and efficient.’
‘The clerking is excellent.’
Cornerstone Barristers
The 'very good housing set' Cornerstone Barristers is highly regarded for its expertise at handling the full range of housing law matters; 'the wealth of barristers with knowledge on housing law is phenomenal'. Ranjit Bhose KC regularly represents social landlords, housing associations and local housing authorities in a broad spectrum of work, and Kelvin Rutledge KC has an excellent track record in handling homelessness cases and housing allocation matters. Dean Underwood 'knows housing law through and through' and is 'calm on his feet', and Andrew Lane is 'a smiling assassin' - 'his advocacy style is very effective'. In March 2023 Kuljit Bhogal KC was appointed to silk.
Testimonials
‘The clerking team are all brilliant. George Regan stands out. He is available, helpful, and well organised.’
‘Chelsea Thomas is extremely accommodating and is always ready to assist.’
‘Cornerstone Barristers is first class in this field.’
‘A well-respected chambers.’
‘A very well organised and structured chambers.’
‘Exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled barristers.’
‘A high quality set.’
‘All the clerks are helpful.’
Doughty Street Chambers
Doughty Street Chambers is 'a leading housing law set with great breadth and depth' and a 'very talented' team. Martin Westgate KC and Daniel Clarke represented the applicant in Kaye v Lees, a High Court case involving the first application of the provisions of the Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, which allows a moratorium to be granted when a person is undergoing treatment for a mental health crisis. The case involved a creditor’s application for the cancellation of a mental health crisis moratorium (MHCM), or alternatively to enforce a debt despite the MHCM; the High Court dismissed the application. In 2023 Ben Chataway was appointed as a District Judge, and Matthew Lee joined the team from Lamb Building.
Testimonials
‘Doughty Street always provides top quality counsel.’
‘A wide selection of extremely experienced and knowledgeable barristers.’
‘An excellent social housing team.’
‘The social housing team is great.’
‘A strong set.’
‘The clerks at Doughty Street provide a superb service.’
‘The clerks are very responsive.’
‘They are always highly efficient, friendly and flexible.’
Five Paper
Five Paper is lauded as 'a specialist set for housing' and 'a go-to for social landlords'. Nicholas Grundy KC regularly represents public sector landlords in cases involving human rights and EU law matters, as well as discrimination issues. Among the junior end of chambers, Stephen Evans is 'robust and persuasive'; Sam Phillips is 'highly skilled at cutting through complex cases to identify the key points' and 'fantastic on his feet'; and Elizabeth England is 'very thorough' - 'her cross-examination is formidable'. Jennifer Moate is well known for handling a broad range of housing matters, including disrepair and possession claims, homelessness issues and anti-social behaviour injunctions.
Testimonials
‘David Portch is brilliant and incredibly responsive.’
‘David Portch is a first rate clerk.’
‘Ella Warmerdam is friendly, courteous and helpful.’
‘Ella Warmerdam is very helpful.’
‘A strong set with a wealth of experience in social housing.’
‘Five Paper is a well-established set.’
‘A great set.’
‘The barristers are extremely knowledgeable and easy to approach.’
Garden Court Chambers
'A first-rate set', Garden Court Chambers is home to a team lauded as 'outstanding in the field of housing law'. The 'brilliant' Liz Davies KC, a housing law specialist, is highly regarded for her expertise in advising on homelessness matters. Recent instructions include Edward Fitzpatrick and Tim Baldwin representing the appellants in Rakusen v Jepsen and others, a Supreme Court appeal concerning a longrunning dispute over whether Rent Repayment Orders (RRO), made under Chapter 4 of Part 2 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, can only be made against an immediate landlord of a tenant, or whether an RRO can also be made against a superior landlord. Catherine O’Donnell is sought after for her excellent track record in advising on disrepair claims.
Testimonials
‘Tim Hempsted is very helpful and goes out of his way to assist.’
‘Tim Hempsted, Joe Fraser and Eidvile Banionyte work well together and are always able to provide a barrister when needed.’
‘Tim Hempsted is reliable and communicative.’
‘Eidvile Banionyte is a pleasure to deal with. She is efficient and friendly.’
‘Garden Court Chambers has exceptional strength in depth – all counsel are of the highest quality.’
‘The chambers has in-depth knowledge of social housing.’
‘There is excellent strength in depth.’
‘A proactive set which goes that extra mile to help clients.’
42BR Barristers
42BR Barristers's social housing practice stands out for its 'specialist knowledge of the sector' and 'extremely knowledgeable and talented counsel'. Newly appointed silk Iris Ferber KC is 'a tenacious advocate' with 'a deep understanding of disrepair matters'; she is acting for the claimants in an ongoing disrepair claim brought against a private landlord concerning a private groundwater supply, which was contaminated with Legionella bacteria, being provided to the tenants at the property. At the junior end of chambers, Desmond Kilcoyne 'demonstrates a strong command of his practice area, which enables him to provide accurate advice' and is sought after by social housing providers, and the 'first-class advocate' Naomi Hawkes has expertise in anti-social behaviour claims, homelessness matters and cases involving intersection with human rights issues. Mathew McDermott is 'very good on his feet in court' and has a strong track record in acting in judicial reviews concerning local authorities’ homelessness duties.
Testimonials
‘Steve Sheridan is a brilliant team leader. He is always prompt and efficient at resolving issues.’
‘A great set.’
‘A strong set.’
‘Great availability of counsel.’
‘The clerks are all extremely efficient.’
‘The clerks are all very helpful.’
‘The clerks at 42BR are always extremely professional, polite and helpful.’
Field Court Chambers
At Field Court Chambers, Clare Cullen, a specialist in housing and property law, is well versed in acting for public and private clients in a wide spectrum of social housing work, including disrepair claims, homelessness cases and possession matters. Emma Godfrey has established strength in representing local housing authorities, landlords and tenants, and Genevieve Screeche-Powell has an excellent track record in handling complex, high-profile cases in the space, with noted expertise in advising on cases involving capacity issues and allegations of disability discrimination.
Gatehouse Chambers
At Gatehouse Chambers, members act for landlords, tenants, social housing providers and local authorities in a broad range of social housing matters, including disrepair and possession claims and anti-social behaviour injunctions. Alison Meacher is very well versed in representing vulnerable clients, and advises local authorities, social housing providers and care providers as well as tenants. Laura Tweedy is acting for the social housing provider in Orione Care v Adams, an ongoing case involving extreme hoarding behaviour and issues surrounding building safety. Morayo Fagborun Bennett was appointed a District Judge in November 2023.
Landmark Chambers
Landmark Chambers's team of 'excellent barristers' has a strong track record in representing government entities, social landlords and tenants across a range of social housing matters. Justin Bates' 'knowledge of the field is encyclopaedic and his advocacy is attractively clear and persuasive, and well shaped to the court'. Bates is acting for a social landlord in litigation concerning whether the client had correctly calculated service charges due under a Right to Buy lease term. The 'very sharp' Brooke Lyne is 'an excellent advocate', and regularly advises on leasehold disputes.
Testimonials
‘Harry Feldman is always incredibly efficient and helpful.’
‘Harry Feldman is an excellent clerk.’
‘The barristers are very able.’