MSB Solicitors’ social housing team, led by Louise Murphy, Andrew Moore, Andrew Fairman, Amy Tagoe, and Thomas Stockton, provides advice to housing associations, local authorities, and public sector bodies. They advise on consumer regulations, affordable housing, regeneration projects, governance, sustainability, and green housing. Murphy focuses on ASB, disrepair, and possession proceedings. Fairman specialises in compliance litigation, safety, and Net Zero initiatives, and Moore advises on technical land disputes, service charges, and ASB. Tagoe handles complex possession, injunctions, and homelessness cases, and Beth Hyams focuses on housing disrepair matters. Kirsty Varley joined the team in 2026.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is recognised among peers as one of the leading teams for landlords operating in the North West. This is a result of the team being one of the most knowledgeable and experienced around.’
‘Phillip Coburn is very much the 'go-to' for all things ASB for landlords and has a solid track record whether it be possession or injunction matters (often involving complex capacity issues or issues under the Equality Act 2010). The same can be said for both Amy Tagoe and Louise Murphy in a housing disrepair context. What they do not know about housing disrepair is not worth knowing.’
‘My team have worked with MSB solicitors now for many years and we have no intention of going anywhere else, when we require legal advice and support. We have developed high levels of confidence and trust with numerous people at MSB and although they are external colleagues, they actually feel operationally like an extension of my team.'
‘Louise Murphy - consistently reliable and trustworthy and always provides sound legal advice.'
- 'Andy Moore - excellent legal advice and support and particular expertise with ASB and leasehold cases.'
- 'Amy Tagoe - Great to work with, responsive, helpful and supportive. ’
‘The team at MSB live up to their name - Means Something Better. Their legal approach is tailored to each organisation, but their advice is always spot on. Nothing is very too much for them and we are yet to present an issue they have not been able to resolve!’
‘The interaction we have with the Social Housing Department is next to none. We work with other firms and MSB stand out from the rest. Headed up by Louise Murphy, Beth Hyams and Amy Tagoe and the team do an outstanding job.
- 'They ensure engagement is tailored to our needs as business, they are aware of our visions and values and our culture as an Organisation.’
- 'The firm has an excellent team with a great deal of specialist knowledge and litigation experience. MSB has an embarrassment of talent at partner and senior associate level.'
Key clients
- One Manchester Limited
- Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
- Trafford Housing Trust
- The Riverside Group
- Progress Housing Association Limited
- Irwell Valley Housing Association
- Unity Housing
- South Yorkshire Housing Association
- Yorkshire Housing Limited
- Arcon Housing Association
- Bamboo Lettings
- Bolton Council
- Brighter Futures Housing Association
- Community Gateway Housing Association
- Connect Housing
- Magenta Living
- Parkway Green Housing Trust
- Plus Dane Housing
- Weaver Vale Housing Trust
- Westfield Housing Association Limited
Work highlights
Asked by the Chair of the Board at Tower Hamlets Community Housing (THCH) to create and deliver two bespoke coaching sessions for its Senior Leadership Team and Board Members, in relation to compliance with the new Consumer Standards issued by the Regulator of Social Housing from 1 April 2024.
Provided solutions to Regenda Group in relation to rent and service charge increases following an issue over an irregularity of the date the increase took effect. This advice was provided on an urgent basis, with the rent increase date less than 2 weeks away at the time of instruction.
Providing advice to One Manchester when faced with a multi-faceted claim for discrimination, breach of data protection, defamation and personal injury. Successfully provided an urgent and robust defence, alongside an application strike out the action among other elements. At first hearing the matter was successfully struck out on all elements
Lawyers
Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Amy Tagoe
Practice head
Louise Murphy; Andy Moore; Andrew Fairman; Amy Tagoe; Thomas Stockton
Other key lawyers
Beth Hyams; Kirsty Varley