Devonshires Solicitors LLP

Housing Management & Property Litigation

Donna is Head of Devonshires’ Housing Management and Property Litigation department.

She has over 30 years’ experience advising on all aspects of housing management law and practice, acting for Local Authorities, Registered Providers and private landlords in complex litigation, including matters in the higher Courts and judicial review actions. She has particular expertise in advising and representing clients on Human Rights, Public Law and Equality Act challenges and following her successes in the higher Court cases of London and Quadrant HT v Patrick [2019] EWHC 1263 (QB) and Forward v Aldwyck Housing Group [2019] EWCA Civ 1334 is particularly noted for her expertise in dealing with claims relating to compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

She regularly advises in respect of engagement with the Regulator of Social Housing, including compliance with the Consumer Standards as well as the impact of the shift to proactive consumer regulation. She has also advised social landlords in respect of adverse determinations made by the Housing Ombudsman and grounds for review.

She also has a strong track record advising housing and care providers in respect of regulatory compliance (both CQC and RSH), managing adverse incidents and enforcement action as well as advising on issues linked to resident management including housing benefit determinations and appeals; the operation of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards; safeguarding referrals and participation in safeguarding adults’ boards; mental capacity issues and multi-agency working. Donna also advises in respect of the operation of care contracts and management arrangements and any litigation that may arise in the event of dispute.

This sits alongside her non contentious practice where she advises on complex housing management issues and both reviews and drafts policy and procedure documentation and tenancy agreements.

Donna started her legal career in the in house legal team at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, combining part time studies with a mixed litigation practice including housing law. She qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1994. Between 1994 and 1999 she worked as a specialist housing litigator, predominantly advising and representing tenants, having particular specialism representing those with mental capacity issues/other vulnerabilities.

Donna is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

She is passionate about providing opportunities to those from diverse backgrounds to enter the legal profession and  she volunteers via Inspiring the Future, presenting in schools and college on legal career options.

Donna is also a member of the steering group for the Women’s Housing Forum.

Donna completed her professional examinations in 1994, before completing a further diploma in Landlord and Tenant Law in 1995. She attained fellowship as a Chartered Legal Executive in 1999.

Donna is a keen reader and particularly enjoys anything related to modern social history. She is an enthusiastic if unskilled cook, who enjoys getting to the gym when she isn’t feeding people.