Back to rankings
England - London Bar
1

Social housing

Martin Westgate KC

Martin Westgate KC

More information
Doughty Street Chambers logo

Doughty Street Chambers

Doughty Street Chambers is renowned for its expertise in the social housing sector, acting for claimants. Martin Westgate KC  represented the tenants in Westminster CC v Kazam and Rahimi, a case concerning surrender and re-grant of tenancies, while Matthew Lee  represented a man who, upon his release from prison, found that a housing association property let to his father had been surrendered by a woman who came to the UK and claimed to be married to the tenant - the ex-prisoner was found to have succeeded to the tenancy.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Phone
020 7404 1313
Email
[email protected]
Profile
doughtystreet.co.uk

Profile

Work Department

Administrative & Public LawEmployment, Discrimination and Equality LawHousing, Social Welfare & PropertyCommunity Care and HealthMediationAnti-TraffickingData Protection and Information LawChildren's Rights Group

Position

Martin Westgate has a consistent track record of advice and representation in a wide range of subject areas although he concentrates on public and administrative law, housing and social care. Much of his work is in, and on appeal from, the Administrative Court and he is experienced in professional negligence and costs litigation, particularly in cases related to his main practice areas. His broad based practice makes him an ideal choice for cases that have a multidisciplinary aspect or that are difficult to categorise.

Martin is ranked in the 2015 edition of Chambers in the fields of Administrative and Public Law, Civil Liberties and Human Rights, Local Government and Social Housing and in the Legal 500 for Administrative and Public Law Civil Liberties and Social Housing. Commentators note that he “has taken well to silk” and is “a clever man who translates his thoughtfulness into creative and effective legal arguments”. He is described as a “very skilful and formidable advocate” whose wider experience of public law issues enables him to "think out of the box on more challenging cases”.

He is leader of the public law and housing and social welfare teams within chambers and vice chair of the Administrative Law Bar Association.

His record since taking silk in 2010 continues to demonstrate his range and versatility. He has appeared in a number of leading cases (see below) at all levels up to and including the Supreme Court.

Martin is qualified to undertake direct access work. He has been trained as a mediator with CEDR and undertakes and represents in mediations.

Career

Called 1985; Middle Temple; Year of Silk: 2010.

Memberships

Administrative Law Bar Association Housing Law Practitioners Association

Education

Oxford (1984 BA Jurisprudence).

Content supplied by Doughty Street Chambers

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Doughty Street are the leading set for housing law and public law matters.'
  • 'Doughty Street are highly regarded set - particularly for their housing law work.'
  • 'The clerks are very friendly and impressive. They are able to deal with instructions on a quick basis and organise everything very quickly.'
  • 'The clerks are excellent; friendly, efficient and willing to help even at very short notice.'
  • 'Doughty Street Chambers can be relied on for social housing matters. Many of the barristers have amazing legal knowledge and their advocacy skills are very impressive.'