The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > London > Social housing: local authorities and registered providers

‘The team are focused and to the point, they are able to work effectively and efficiently and advise the client in an appropriate manner. They are always readily accessible and focused on finding solutions for their client.’

‘Unique focus, longstanding depth and breadth of experience. Exceptionally well informed by virtue of wider practice specialisms working with key stakeholders.

Amy Shaw has a unique depth of understanding of sector clients’ needs across a wide range of activities, with particular strength in development and joint venture arrangements.

Tonia Secker occupies a unique position, which supports commercial progress with key stakeholders and grant providers due to her depth of knowledge of the needs of both constituencies.‘

‘The Trowers real estate team is hugely experienced with a wealth of transactional experience in the residential property sector with specialist support for areas such as corporate law & tax.

The client relationships are pivotal to their success as they have a lead partner (Amy Shaw) who oversees all matters and will intervene if matters require escalation.

My lead contact is Amy Shaw, who has encyclopaedic knowledge of our past transactions and offers insightful timely advice – she will immediately draw upon her team’s resources if a matter needs urgent attention.

Amy makes herself available at very short notice and is a true star performer.’

‘Both partners and associates at WS have excellent experience in advising RP’s on development transactions. The advice is thorough and pragmatic.’

‘Excellent knowledge of the sector and our requirements. This understanding of our internal processes/needs and tailoring their service to accommodate makes them easy to work with.

Very contactable and willing to make time to talk through issues when they arise ensuring all decisions made are done so with full understanding.’

‘Confidence, expertise, clear communications and most importantly trust., are what stand out. We have worked with a number of staff at this firm and find consistently high standards, a well run and managed practice. The level of communication, feedback has been nurturing, teaching individuals the principles and practice of law, whilst at the same time dealing with matters at hand.

We trust the individuals. They have gained this trust by taking and building a relational approach. The willingness to help in matters, and not always for any business gain, says a lot. We have good individuals who go out there way to understand us, the business and get it and work back from this.’

‘Range of expertise and services offered, in a regional values-driven practice. particularly strong in housing and corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and treasury work.’

‘ACS has a culture and set of business ethics which is perhaps uniquely appropriate to the social housing and not-for-profit sectors which it serves so well. Crucially, though, the firm’s ethics do not dilute the professionalism and commerciality of the legal team and the advice and support they provide, which I’ve always found to be first-class.’

‘This practice is able to offer a wide range of advice on many issues relating to social housing. We have received advice on governance issues, legal housing issues and financial matters. All the advice received has been of the highest quality. All members of the team are responsive and knowledgeable in their specialist fields.’

‘Very detail-focused and supportive with a strong view on communicating risks and opportunities to us as a client. Advice given considers the materiality of risks and their outcomes which is especially useful for making judgement calls.

Overall breadth of experience of supporting similar transactions is very strong.

Wendy Wilks (Partner) – Wendy is very considered and gives clear advice on findings – including risks and opportunities. She is very efficient and has shown significant understanding and support for us as a client – regularly monitoring and supporting us by highlighting actions and next steps including review of 3rd party input. Her level of detail focus has given us significant confidence on a very high-profile and complex transaction.

Fiona McDonald (Senior Associate)- Similar to Wendy, Fiona has provided us a high-quality and detailed service, including responding quickly and concisely on a number of urgent/ad-hoc requests.’

‘They have a tremendous breadth of experience and knowledge, and expertise across a range of issues that involve private registered providers and local authorities in particular. Their client care skills are second to none and they are very much, to use that horrible phrase, a go-to firm. In short, they understand their market.’

‘Capsticks are the go-to firm for social housing. The way they interact with their clients is personal and tailored, so the level of service they give is exceptional. As a barrister, I am always well briefed, which is a testament to their brilliant organisational skills and depth of experience.

Daniel Skinner is the go-to partner for all social housing work. He knows everything there is to know. He takes problems and creates unique tailored solutions.

Helen Gascoigne has become one of the best practitioners in this area in the last few years. She is exceptional. Her knowledge is beyond her number of years as a solicitor. I would trust her with any of my own personal housing issues.’

‘Capsticks mix a blend of high and wide-ranging levels of housing expertise with a helpful can-do attitude. I have always been impressed with how efficiently they tackle tasks and I’ve always been happy with their service and the commitment they show towards their client.

Honourable mentions need to be made for the excellent Chimi Shakohoxha and James Howard. Both provide a fantastic service and really look to help their client. Excellent levels of knowledge across varying complex contractual situations. They have proven to be very helpful and it has been a very enjoyable working relationship.’

‘Capsticks is a sector trailblazer, bringing together leaders in their respective fields. Responses are quick and tailored to the instructing client. Advice is effective, outcome-focused, and mindful of cost and reputational issues. The Team is professional, accessible and approachable, taking time to get to know us and how we work. I am always impressed with the scope of their expertise.’

‘They have a strong and sound knowledge of the housing sector.’

‘Clarke Wilmott have an approachable, experienced and knowledgeable team that focuses on getting the best outcome for the client. They are set up to deal with initial letters before action before moving on to more involved litigation and attendance at court.

High level of commitment and attention to detail, ability to look at cases from all angles and assess risks and merits. Convey complex procedural arguments in a clear and concise way.’

‘Flexible, pragmatic and client-focused with a depth of experience‘

‘Clarke Willmott has specialist knowledge of social housing and commercial property. This is supported by extremely good customer service.

Kary Withers (partner) heads up the social housing team and always ensures customers receive timely and accurate advice. She has a breadth of knowledge across social housing, telecommunications and commercial property. As well as offering legal advice Kary has used her professional network to connect us with other organisations that face similar challenges and legal issues.’

‘The team are highly responsive, pragmatic and personable, with deep sector experience.

Fraser MacRae and Vicky Kells and their colleagues are great to work with and provide an excellent joined-up service across the banking and property sides of a transaction.’

‘TLT is a practice that provides an excellent service to clients without a legal background.

I mainly work with Linda Convery and Tamsin Taylor. Their standard of care to clients is outstanding.’

‘Responsive, clear with advice, expertise. Appreciation of ‘commercial reality’.

Reliable, client focussed, knowledgeable, approachable.’

‘TLT have a good understanding of the transactions they are working on and our expectation. In line with other firms.’

‘The team at TLT are friendly and helpful. They ensure that initial advice is given at the outset of an instruction so that a matter is dealt with in the most cost-efficient way.’

‘They are efficient and don’t hang around in endless legal jargon, providing straight answers. They look for ways to deal with issues rather than debating them back and forth.‘

‘The unique ability of this firm is the strength of its associates and the personable nature of the firm. They have excellent knowledge of the property sector and are able to advise on a wide range of deal structures. The advice they provide is clear and concise and PMC is always prepared to go the extra mile for their clients.‘

‘Very responsive, good access to very experienced senior-level partners.

Peter Massey – As a senior partner, Peter is always available and responsive to client enquiries, he always finds the time to take my calls. No matter what the time is! Peter brings a strong commercial focus, and draws on his experience across both the private and housing association sectors to highlight potential different options that can help to unblock an impasse.’

‘Professional. A very good all-round experience, easy access to partners and always happy to offer solutions and guide you through some of the most tricky negotiations.

All the individuals I have had cause to work with have been very easy to get along with and make things easy to understand. Nothing is too much trouble.’

‘The team is well led by Andrew Casstles and has a good depth of knowledge, they are responsive and advise in an easily understandable way, highlighting key areas of risk.

Andrew Casstles leads the team well and provides clear and easily interpreted advice.’