The barristers at 4-5 Gray's Inn Square advise on the full range of social housing issues and are 'absolutely brilliant, thrive to set case law and always happy to assist'. The set has recently established a notable reputation for fire safety and cladding issues following significant involvement in the Grenfell inquiry and members of the set, Andrew Dymond among others, representing bereaved and survivors of the disaster. In 2020, Christopher Baker successfully defended Agudas Israel Housing Association before the Supreme Court in R (on the application of Z) v Hackney LBC, a challenge brought by a concerning the allocation properties in Stamford Hill specifically fitted out for the needs of Orthodox Jews. Toby Vanhegan has been involved in a number of cases concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing and homelessness, such as in Bankole-Jones v Watford BC, concerning the interpretation of priority need. Also noteworthy, Anneli Robins was involved in Croydon LBC v Kalonga, a case concerning the ejection of anti-social tenants on flexible tenancies, which do not generally have forfeiture clauses.
Social housing in London Bar
4-5 Gray's Inn Square
Testimonials
Set
‘4-5 Grays Inn Square remains a leading set for social housing work, in particular with a number of enthusiastic and knowledgeable junior counsel.’
‘The overall knowledge and expertise of this set of chambers is impressive.’
‘The set as a whole offer a variety of skilled and experienced counsel in social housing. Their client base give them a well-rounded approach to strategy in social housing cases. Their training courses are engaging and highly relevant. One of the few sets I would instruct regularly in these matters.’
‘Many members of its housing team are excellent, well-renowned and easy to get on with.’
‘4-5 Gray’s Inn is set of chambers that are absolutely brilliant, thrive to set case law and always happy to assist.’
Clerks
‘The clerks have always been courteous and helpful. Fee notes are provided in good time and any corrections that need to be made on fee notes are always done quickly.’
‘4 – 5 Gray’s Inn Square is a professional set of chambers. Very responsive to requests for advocates.’
‘The clerks are fantastic and very helpful, especially Emily Martin.’
‘Clerking is generally efficient and competent.’
Cornerstone Barristers
'One of the best known housing sets' Cornerstone Barristers has a formidable reputation for cases concerning social housing law, including niche aspects regarding the traveller encampments. In 2021, Wayne Beglan acted in Anderson v Basildon DC, a key Court of Appeal case regarding the circumstances in which local authorities can successfully obtain interim mandatory injunction orders ejecting travellers from land they are currently on. In Adesotu v Lewisham LBC, Dean Underwood represented Lewisham LBC regarding the issue whether the County Court has jurisdiction to determine claims of alleged disability and indirect discrimination under ss.15, 19 and 29 Equality Act 2010 in a homelessness appeal under s.204 Housing Act 1996. Sarah Salmon joined from Field Court Chambers.
Testimonials
Set
‘Cornerstone Barristers are very professional and have excellent expertise in specific areas and a variety of professionals to choose from at all levels in Social Housing law. This makes it a very attractive chambers in Social Housing law, especially for those practising for Landlords. All of the barristers I have worked with there have always given the time to explain and discuss matters in further detail wherever necessary.’
‘Well versed, with a range of highly knowledgeable advocates.’
‘Cornerstone is a great set with some real quality. They regularly put on very well received training, they are the authors of some very good publications, we rely on heavily including ‘Cornerstone on Anti-social Behaviour’ and Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud.’
‘Known for acting for local authorities and social landlords. One of the best known housing sets.’
‘The chambers have a wide range of counsel with excellent facilities.’
Clerks
‘The clerks are friendly, ever ready to help, they go over and above to assist. Elliot Langdorf, George Regan, Daniel Gatt and Chelsea Thomas are an absolute pleasure to work with.’
‘Great clerks, very friendly and always prepared to find a solution.’
‘Exceptional and ever ready to assist – George, Elliot and Dan.’
‘All of the clerks that I have dealt with at Cornerstone Barristers are very helpful, very pleasant and very organised. The clerks that I have dealt with most recently are Daniel Gatt, George Regan and Chelsea Thomas who have always been very responsive and accommodating of my requirements.’
‘All the Clerks are responsive and efficient. In particular I have found Sam Collins to be extremely helpful. They have never let me down and will try and help in any way they can’
Doughty Street Chambers
Doughty Street Chambers offers a 'fantastic range of barristers' that represent predominantly individual applicants, such as tenants and individuals facing homelessness. Due to the teams overlap of work with community care, administrative law and Court of Protection, the set has a noted specialism in regard to cases involving vulnerable clients with physical or mental health issues as well as acting for asylum seekers. Martin Westgate QC , 'one of the foremost leading figures in social welfare and public law', lead Sarah Steinhardt on R (Imam) v LB Croydon, a mandatory relief claim now pending before the Court of Appeal regarding the homeless status of a disabled person in an allegedly inappropriate property. Zia Nabi appeared before the Court of Appeal in 2020 in Trecarrell House Ltd v Rouncefield, which clarified that the failure to provide a gas safety certificate prior to a tenants occupation does not prevent a landlord serving a s.21 notice. Jamie Burton QC took silk in 2021.
Testimonials
Set
‘Great – nothing but praise. All barristers are considered a safe pair of hands. The training they have offered over the lockdown period has been very well tailored and thought out.’
‘Doughty Street is a truly outstanding set in the field of social welfare, housing and public law and one of the only two sets that I use.’
‘Doughty Street Chambers are my “go to” Chambers as a housing lawyer. They have a fantastic range of barristers with a wide variety of strengths in different areas. It is almost always possible to secure counsel, even at short notice, and you know you will be in safe hands when you do. Counsel do not stand on ceremony and always go the extra mile to help instructing solicitors and their clients.’
‘Doughty Street has developed its housing team and has a breadth of knowledge and experience. I use a range of barristers and if the usual ones are not available, the proposed replacement is not a disappointment.’
‘Doughty Street Chambers is exceptional. Their barristers are highly skilled, empathetic and passionate in fighting for social justice and advocating for the vulnerable.’
Clerks
‘The clerking at Doughty Street is second to none. I am always particularly grateful to Rachel Finch for assistance that goes well beyond that which is expected including helping me with roles I have outside of directly instructing chambers.’
‘The clerks are lovely and very efficient – a real pleasure to deal with even at short notice or late in the day.’
‘The clerks are superb, always incredibly prompt, efficient and friendly and always willing to go the extra mile!’
‘Fantastic, they go above and beyond to accommodate, nothing is too much. Of note is an example where at the beginning of lockdown they assisted with electronic bundling. Emily Norman, Rachel Finch and Sian Wilkins are all particularly helpful and friendly.’
‘Excellent – very approachable, organised and efficient.’
Garden Court Chambers
Garden Court Chambers is a 'first choice of chambers when looking to instruct counsel in respect of a publicly-funded social housing matter'. The set operates a cross-disciplinary approach drawing on the additional experience and knowledge of members of chambers who specialise in areas of law adjacent to social housing. Therefore, the offering spans a full service ranging from traditional social housing matters, such as unlawful evictions and homelessness appeals, to ancillary issues involving immigration, family law, welfare benefits, disability, migrant welfare and asylum support. Edward Fitzpatrick acted for the appellant in Flores v London Borough of Southwark, a case concerning if a property became "deliberately" overcrowded owing to the aging of children. In London Borough of Hackney v Okoro Tim Baldwin successfully represented the appellant in an appeal as to whether appeals against possession orders fell under the stay of possession proceedings during the Coronavirus pandemic. Also noteworthy, Nick Bano was involved in R (FB) v Camden LBC (Women’s Aid intervening), a successful challenge to the placement of a female survivor of domestic violence in a mixed-sex hostel.
Testimonials
Set
‘Garden court chambers is excellent in housing law and are an outstanding set and the best I have worked with in Housing. They are always updated and even in the worst cases, look for a way to assist the client.’
‘Garden Court has excellent strength in depth and so if a particular barrister is not available this does not impact the case and another excellent choice is always available, including at short notice.’
‘Garden Court Chambers as a whole is, in my view, one of the best sets for social housing tenants. The barristers in this set of chambers are very good. This set of chambers also run interesting and free training courses.’
‘Garden Court Chambers are a leading set in housing matters. There are many barristers in the Chambers, whom I would be happy to instruct, so if my first choice is not available the clerks generally have an alternative to offer. Garden Court run excellent training seminars over the full range of housing law.’
‘Garden Court has strength in depth. They have a cadre of barristers at the top of their fields, and a clerking team that makes working with them seamless.’
Clerks
‘Excellent service, the clerks are prompt and efficient.’
‘The clerks offer an excellent service and reply promptly to correspondence and queries and always seek to find appropriate counsel for your case. Tim Hempsted in particular is very helpful and is always available to speak with for any queries.’
‘I am very impressed by Garden Court Chambers. The Clerk in service is excellent.’
‘Their clerking team are fantastic, they go the extra mile to locate suitable counsel in emergencies and can be relied upon to make dealing with urgent matters as smooth and stress free as possible.’
‘Very good all round service, particularly Tim Hempsted and his team. Very efficient, prompt and courteous. Finance Team also worth a mention. Lauren Barber experienced and knowledgeable on billing side.’
Five Paper
Five Paper is noted for its focus on social housing work and has an enviable reputation for acting for many of the leading social housing law firms as well as local authorities and private registered providers of social housing. Clients feel that the set has ‘an excellent strength and depth of housing barristers and have some excellent juniors who are making a really good name for themselves.’ Nicholas Grundy QC and Sam Phillips represented the successful defendants in Simawi v LB Haringey, a case concerning an alleged disparity in treatment between death and divorce in succession to pre-2012 social tenancies; after victory in the Court of Appeal the Supreme Court refused the claimant permission to appeal. Stephen Evans is an expert on discrimination and equality aspects of social housing.
Testimonials
Set
‘I consider Five Paper to be the best in the sector. They are reliable, friendly, have excellent barrister and costs are reasonable in comparison to other sets. Five Paper have always been my number one choice and for the above reasons, they will continue to be.’
‘There is a good depth to the housing counsel covering a wide range of experience from very junior to Silk. This means that there is always the right level of experience available.’
‘The chambers is superb. Their series of webinars during the pandemic have been a marvellous source of knowledge and have provided practical advice and insight.’
‘I have worked with Five Paper for 20 years now and find them to be leaders in the field of Social Housing – always my go to for complex, tricky and cutting edge cases.’
‘Very strong set of pupils, juniors and seniors (including a QC). A great selection of choice depending on the task. Efficient, no fuss clerking. Good clear pricing and good and swift communication on that as well.’
Clerks
‘Very happy with the service provided by the clerks, always professional and eager to help.’
‘David Portch is a calm, yet authoritative, confident and very competent Head Clerk.’
‘All the clerks team are very fast and professional.’
‘David Portch and his team are excellent great service provided and value for money – I have worked with David for many years and he and his team are very professional and always prompt to return calls and arrange counsel to cover hearings even at short notice.’
‘The clerks make a huge difference to us when it comes to customer service and probably distinguish this set from other London barristers as a result. They always work hard to find us the right barrister and the right price.’
42 Bedford Row
42 Bedford Row offers advice to individuals, such as tenants and leaseholders, as well as local and public authorities, housing associations, registered landlords, banks and developers on the full spectrum of social housing law. The set has a particular niche area of expertise for matters at the intersection of housing and family issues, as well as serious anti-social behaviour. Iris Ferber is currently acting in Primesight Developments v Majestic Court Management Company which concerns the question in landlord and tenant law whether a default judgment for service charge arrears amounts to a “final determination” under s81 Housing Act 1996, entitling a landlord to forfeit the lease. Desmond Kilcoyne successfully acted for the local authority in Lambeth v Gniewosz concerning the roofing materials used for a re-development. Mathew McDermott frequently acts in judicial reviews with a focus on those relating to local authorities’ duties to the homeless.
Testimonials
Set
‘This set of chambers is in my view outstanding. They always go out of their way to assist you with counsel availability, particularly in matters of injunctions where counsel is required at the last minute.’
‘A good chambers with a variety of counsel at differing levels at competitive rates. Always willing to accommodate emergency instructions.’
‘Chambers are highly efficient and provide an excellent service. They provide a very good selection of Barristers in each field and provide an explanation of each Barrister’s ability and competency for the case at hand allowing an Instructing Solicitor to make the correct choice.’
‘The Chambers has a good cover at junior level for Housing Claims, their clerks are very approachable.’
‘I have utilised the chambers on many occasions. Other barristers at the set are happy to step in and assist where they can. The set is complemented by excellent clerks who are very much “on the ball”.’
Clerks
‘All of the clerks are excellent and offer a top rate service.’
‘Steve Sheridan is probably the best clerk that I deal with in the legal profession.’
‘The clerks possess a good knowledge of each barrister’s competency in a subject area and hence are easily able to assist to provide the right barrister for the case at hand.’
’42 Bedford Row Chambers are very easy to deal with and their clerks are always respond to queries for new and existing instructions quickly. I mainly have dealings with Steve Sheridan and Chris Collinson and regard them very highly.’
‘Steve Sheridan is a fantastic clerk who offers a very high level of service. This clearly filters all the way down to junior clerks, who always make you feel valued as a client.’
Field Court Chambers
The ‘generally excellent‘ housing team at Field Court Chambers provides advice and representation predominantly to local authorities, housing associations, registered social landlords and to individuals in courts. In the Court of Appeal case of Jarvis v Evans and another (Shelter Cymru intervening) Christopher McCarthy acted successfully for the tenants; the case concerned if “notice to terminate a tenancy” under the Welsh legislation included notice served under Section 8, Housing Act 1988 and whether a notice served in breach of section 7 of the Housing (Wales) Act invalidated the notice.
Testimonials
Set
‘I think that the housing team are generally excellent. Clare Cullen is a barrister who I know I will receive high quality work from. I think that she is more than a match for the barristers from other chambers.’
‘The chambers are friendly and approachable.’
Clerks
‘The clerks have been helpful and responded to any queries promptly.’
‘I have always found the clerks to be helpful and approachable.’
‘The clerks have not let me down. They are a pleasure to work with.’
Gatehouse Chambers
Gatehouse Chambers is considered to be a ‘go to chambers for property work‘ that are ‘friendly and commercial with expertise across a wide spectrum of contentious property matters‘. The set is regularly sought out by large housing associations, particularly on matters that cover more than one area of law. Members of the set, also act for individuals, with Alison Meacher, having expertise in matters involving vulnerable people, crossing over with her Court of Protection practice. In London Borough of Sutton v Aslett, Morayo Fagborun Bennett successfully acted for the defendant council where the court followed the argument that the anti-social behaviour justified an outright possession order and was proportionate under the Equality Act.
Testimonials
Set
‘Gatehouse have a good selection of barristers who undertake property litigation work. They have run a lot of very informative, virtual training sessions during the lockdown and I think they have been very well received by those who attended them.’
‘My favourite set – friendly and with a depth and range of experience. Sensible and flexible on price.’
‘Go-to chambers for property work. Friendly and commercial with expertise across a wide spectrum of contentious property matters.’
‘Excellent in relation to Housing Litigation.’
Clerks
‘James Duncan Hartill is particularly good – sensible and sensitive to client needs re pricing and turnaround times.’
‘The clerks’ room is a beacon of positivity. Claire Gallacher responds quickly to queries and is always happy to help.’
‘Claire Gallacher is extremely helpful and manages correspondence promptly.’
‘Very good clerking – James Duncan-Hartill is wonderful to work with.’
Landmark Chambers
Landmark Chambers has an 'expanding specialism in landlord and tenant' matters, with members acting for both third sector landlords as well as tenants. The set advises on a full array of social housing issues ranging from day-to-day housing management issues, such as subletting and anti-social behaviour, to complex possession claims involving capacity issues. Richard Drabble QC acted in R (Blundell) v SSWP, in which the High Court found the Secretary of State’s policy on deduction of automatic deduction of fines from Universal Credit to be unlawful. In Piechnik v Oxford CC, a leading case on local authority rights of access to “right to buy” flats in order to carry out fire safety upgrade works, Justin Bates represented Oxford City Council as the respondent.
Testimonials
Set
‘Landmark have an expanding specialism in landlord and tenant, with Justin Bates heading, and have some highly able barristers in the field. Recent webinars have been useful and of high quality.‘
‘Landmark’s housing law team is relatively small, but in demand. Recent webinars have been useful and of a good standard.‘
‘Landmark are on the up in leasehold and wider housing work.’
‘This set of chambers runs very interesting free training programs which I have attended remotely.’
‘Landmark Chambers are my preferred set for Property Litigation. They have an incredible range of barristers and I have a strong working relationship with a number of them. Some of their barristers can be quite hard to instruct because they are so popular and so good. They ran virtual training throughout the pandemic which was very well received.‘
Clerks
‘Harry Feldman is brilliant. He always responds quickly, provides realistic, and reasonable, fee estimates promptly and ensures counsel keep to agreed timeframes.‘
‘The clerks are always, helpful and prompt and on top of their job.‘
‘The best clerking service I have ever had. Richard Bolton in particular is an absolute star. Always able to find a solution which best serves my client and is always willing to go the extra mile.‘
‘Clerks have always been helpful and efficient.‘