Forbes Solicitors’ social housing practice is structured into specialist sub-teams, each led by an expert in their field. Catherine Kennedy heads the housing and regeneration property team, focusing on complex development and funding matters, stock rationalisations, acquisitions, charging projects, joint ventures, and large regeneration schemes. Siobhan Hardy leads the housing and regeneration litigation team, specialising in housing condition and liability claims. Shirley Faragher oversees anti-social behaviour and housing management, while Daniel Milnes leads governance, procurement and information with extensive experience in social housing governance and procurement. Jonathan Holden heads the employment team. The practice supports councils, housing property and litigation clients, with a particularly strong anti-social behaviour team, including Kirsty Varley.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Its key attribute is a genuine understanding of the end user, a social housing organisation. Where discussing issues there is a clear emphasis on the legal advice provided and how this impacts not just the housing association but its tenants. This makes Forbes stand out, providing legal advice which it breaks down and shows the client how this impacts its tenants.’

  • 'Dan Milnes in particular is a valuable asset to Forbes Solicitors. Those that work with him clearly also help him to offer a valuable service to the social housing market.’
  • ‘Great communication.'

  • ‘The team are highly knowledgeable and thorough. They go above and beyond the line of duty to assist and are happy to attend meetings when needed.’

  • ‘The Team members that I deal with are absolutely fantastic. They are approachable and are extremely good at explaining legal matters in a language that is is easy to understand.’

Key clients

  • Together Housing
  • Lincolnshire Housing Partnership
  • Progress Housing
  • Onward
  • South Yorkshire Housing Association
  • Salix Homes
  • Community Gateway
  • Mosscare St Vincent's (MSV)
  • EMH
  • ONGO
  • Acis
  • Torus

Work highlights

Instructed by Weaver Vale Housing Trust to address anti-social behaviour arising from an unlawful bonfire event.
Instructed by Great Places Housing Association to advise on a rent possession order coupled with race discrimination and disrepair claims by a tenant.
Advised the Guinness Partnership on Complex injunction case against 2 Defendants, both of whom claimed disability discrimination as part of their defence.

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.

Catherine Kennedy

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Lachlan McLean

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Kirsty Varley

Practice head

Catherine Kennedy; Siobhan Hardy; Shirley Faragher; Daniel Milnes; Jonathan Holden

Other key lawyers

Lachlan McLean; Kirsty Varley; Jenna Tym; Lyndsay Baxter; Lara Hanson; Lauren Fisher; Sam Gorrell