Garden Court North Chambers is a ‘very strong set for tenant-related social housing litigation’ and its members act for a range of tenant clients, including ones with disabilities, addiction issues, mental health problems and learning difficulties.  Joseph Markus has a strong focus on immigration matters as well as homelessness cases, and James Stark‘s practice also has a strong focus on homelessness, in addition to social housing cases with human rights elements. Gary Willock has expertise in representing clients who lack capacity or where disability discrimination has occurred, and Sonia Birdee thrives in representing tenants in discrimination cases under the Equality Act 2010. Elizabeth Mottershaw has a broad range of expertise and acts for vulnerable individuals in possession, injunction and committal proceedings, unlawful eviction and disrepair cases, as well as homelessness appeals.
Social housing in
Regional BarGarden Court North Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Without question the best chambers in the north for legal aid civil work, and particularly strong in housing and public law.’
‘Garden Court North’s barristers are very good and knowledgeable.’
‘Very strong set for tenant-related social housing litigation.’
‘Good availability and high standard work.’
‘Very good cross-section of barristers. Have worked with them many times and would recommend the Chambers.’
Clerking
‘Very helpful clerking team.’Â
‘Helpful and responsive clerk team.’
‘It is easy to build up a good relationship with the civil clerks.’
‘The clerks are approachable and respond quickly to any enquiries. They will always try to help if they can.’
Cobden House Chambers
At Cobden House Chambers, Gary Lewis has a thriving housing practice, including across anti-social behaviour cases, representing landlords in defending housing disrepair claims, interim injunctions and possession claims. He acted for Lancaster City Council in possession proceedings which were complicated by a gas explosion killing a young boy in a neighbouring property. Lucie Wood acts for both tenants and landlords, and her practice focuses on unlawful eviction, leasehold, disability discrimination, mental capacity and selective licensing appeals.
Testimonials
Set
‘The Chambers are extremely reliable and will always go that extra mile to assist. As a whole, Chambers are approachable, professional and are a solid team of professionals who always deliver.’
‘The set is blessed with many barristers who are experts in this area. They are able to offer suitable alternatives when preferred Counsel is unavailable.’
‘Cobden are a go to set in the north west – always have excellent barristers available.’
‘Cobden House is very accommodating and has a series of experienced barristers who deal with Social Housing matters.’
‘Good availability of Counsel at all levels, which is important when dealing with urgent instructions. All Counsel in this set are consistent with their approach and the outcomes they achieve.’
Clerking
‘Christina Cook and Declan Fitzmaurice are accessible and professional individuals and will always go the extra mile to help. Client care and organisational skills are first class.’
‘The clerks are extremely helpful and personable.’
‘Clerks are very proactive and respond in a timely manner. They are approachable and always willing to help and offer solutions.’
‘The clerks are all friendly, approachable and client focussed at this Chambers. Declan Fitzmaurice in particular often goes the extra mile to accommodate client’s needs and offers invaluable support and assistance on a regular basis.’
‘Cobden chambers are a go to-set in the northwest – always have excellent barristers available and their clerking team are always willing to help, even at short notice, which is critical in housing management cases.’
Exchange Chambers
The members at Exchange Chambers have broad ranging social housing expertise. Brynmor Adams is a name of note, with a strong focus on acting for local authorities in housing fraud cases, including claims involving subletting and false succession. In July 2022 Paul Burns was appointed to the circuit bench.
Testimonials
Set
‘The set provides excellent training sessions and webinars that cover a wide range of relevant topics. Chambers is fortunate to have many barristers who are masters of their craft.’
‘Very good set of Chambers for Housing Management work, nearly always have someone suitable available and they offer regular free training.’
‘Attended an online training session which was useful.’
‘I have always found Exchange Chambers extremely efficient and never had an issue with availability of counsel.’
Clerking
‘Sarah Rotheram and Neil Wright are both diligent and extremely helpful.’
‘All the clerks are very good and very responsive to communications.’
‘Clerks at Exchange Chambers are always very responsive and helpful when contacted.’
‘The clerks are very helpful and approachable.’
Garden Court North Chambers
Testimonials
Set
‘Without question the best chambers in the north for legal aid civil work, and particularly strong in housing and public law.’
‘Garden Court North’s barristers are very good and knowledgeable.’
‘Very strong set for tenant-related social housing litigation.’
‘Good availability and high standard work.’
‘Very good cross-section of barristers. Have worked with them many times and would recommend the Chambers.’
Clerking
‘Very helpful clerking team.’Â
‘Helpful and responsive clerk team.’
‘It is easy to build up a good relationship with the civil clerks.’
‘The clerks are approachable and respond quickly to any enquiries. They will always try to help if they can.’
Cobden House Chambers
At Cobden House Chambers, Gary Lewis has a thriving housing practice, including across anti-social behaviour cases, representing landlords in defending housing disrepair claims, interim injunctions and possession claims. He acted for Lancaster City Council in possession proceedings which were complicated by a gas explosion killing a young boy in a neighbouring property. Lucie Wood acts for both tenants and landlords, and her practice focuses on unlawful eviction, leasehold, disability discrimination, mental capacity and selective licensing appeals.
Testimonials
Set
‘The Chambers are extremely reliable and will always go that extra mile to assist. As a whole, Chambers are approachable, professional and are a solid team of professionals who always deliver.’
‘The set is blessed with many barristers who are experts in this area. They are able to offer suitable alternatives when preferred Counsel is unavailable.’
‘Cobden are a go to set in the north west – always have excellent barristers available.’
‘Cobden House is very accommodating and has a series of experienced barristers who deal with Social Housing matters.’
‘Good availability of Counsel at all levels, which is important when dealing with urgent instructions. All Counsel in this set are consistent with their approach and the outcomes they achieve.’
Clerking
‘Christina Cook and Declan Fitzmaurice are accessible and professional individuals and will always go the extra mile to help. Client care and organisational skills are first class.’
‘The clerks are extremely helpful and personable.’
‘Clerks are very proactive and respond in a timely manner. They are approachable and always willing to help and offer solutions.’
‘The clerks are all friendly, approachable and client focussed at this Chambers. Declan Fitzmaurice in particular often goes the extra mile to accommodate client’s needs and offers invaluable support and assistance on a regular basis.’
‘Cobden chambers are a go to-set in the northwest – always have excellent barristers available and their clerking team are always willing to help, even at short notice, which is critical in housing management cases.’
Exchange Chambers
The members at Exchange Chambers have broad ranging social housing expertise. Brynmor Adams is a name of note, with a strong focus on acting for local authorities in housing fraud cases, including claims involving subletting and false succession. In July 2022 Paul Burns was appointed to the circuit bench.
Testimonials
Set
‘The set provides excellent training sessions and webinars that cover a wide range of relevant topics. Chambers is fortunate to have many barristers who are masters of their craft.’
‘Very good set of Chambers for Housing Management work, nearly always have someone suitable available and they offer regular free training.’
‘Attended an online training session which was useful.’
‘I have always found Exchange Chambers extremely efficient and never had an issue with availability of counsel.’
Clerking
‘Sarah Rotheram and Neil Wright are both diligent and extremely helpful.’
‘All the clerks are very good and very responsive to communications.’
‘Clerks at Exchange Chambers are always very responsive and helpful when contacted.’
‘The clerks are very helpful and approachable.’