The social housing team at Bindmans LLP is praised as ‘a market leader’ for its notable expertise in exclusively representing tenants across the entire gamut of housing law, and it is frequently sought after to handle mandates involving mental capacity issues, fire safety, civil liberties, and community care. With substantial experience assisting cladding victims, ’veteran’ departmental lead Paul Ridge also had a pivotal role in representing the victims of Grenfell Tower. The ‘brilliant housing lawyer’ Christian Hansen boasts extensive expertise in large group claims for tenants and leaseholders against social landlords. Hansen also specialises in Human Rights Act defenses against possession claims. Other key members of the team include Will Whitaker and Emma Pein.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Bindmans is definitely a market leader in housing law. They would be my first choice nationally for the hard stuff.’
‘Emma Pein is outstanding. Talented, dedicated, and excellent with clients. She is second-to-none.’
‘Christian Hansen is a brilliant housing lawyer who specialises in complex civil claims. Paul Ridge is a veteran in the space and has represented the Grenfell Tower victims exceptionally well.'
‘Bindmans has a small but excellent team of solicitors. They have been embedded in the Grenfell Inquiry for some time, but also have expertise in possession and homelessness claims, often involving clients with mental health or mental capacity or care issues, in addition to their immediate housing issue.’
‘Paul Ridge is a brilliant solicitor who heads up the team. He is immensely experienced in all areas of housing practice with expertise with clients in mental health crises.'
- 'Will Whitaker is an excellent solicitor who has expertise with housing possession cases involving Court of Protection cross-over work where tenants lack capacity to litigate and make decisions on where to live. He is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor.'
‘Bindmans deliver a first-rate service that puts high-quality professionalism at its core.’
‘Paul Ridge is an outstanding solicitor. He has a warm and human approach, putting listening his clients at the centre of his work. He combines this with an exceptional flair for case strategy.’
Key clients
- Grenfell Tower
- Richmond House
- Pavilions Action Group
- Mohamed Mohamed
- Land around Buxted
- The Exchange
Work highlights
Advised on the largest UK Public Inquiry in relation to the social housing failure at Grenfell Tower and the battle for compensation for its victims.
Acting for all residents of Richmond House, a shared-ownership social housing block destroyed by fire in September 2019.
Acted for 300 leaseholders within the six ‘Pavilion’ blocks in Tottenham, successfully identifying significant breaches of the relevant Building Regulations and construction failures by Bellway Homes.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Paul Ridge
Other key lawyers
Christian Hansen; Will Whitaker; Emma Pein