Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Social Housing - London (Bar)

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Cornerstone Barristers is a pre-eminent set for housing cases and highly sought-after by social housing landlords. The set has an impressive team of practitioners who are experienced in the full range of social housing matters. Members of Cornerstone's team are particularly capable in cases dealing with complex issues such as community care, human rights and immigration, and have appeared in such cases as Juraj Hynek v LB Islington, a homelessness appeal. A source notes: "Cornerstone Barristers has top experts on local authority work with a wide range of specialist expertise." Another reports that the barristers are able to "distil complex issues into core matters."

Daryl Hughes is the senior clerk.

Strengths

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Notable Practitioners

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Andrew Lane
Andrew Lane
Star Individuals

Andrew Lane is a talented advocate who is praised for his unwaveringly dedicated approach, regardless of whether he is handling high-profile cases in the Court of Appeal or Supreme Court or in County Court possession claims. His practice encompasses all areas of social housing law, including welfare reform, housing fraud and advisory work for registered providers. He is further known for his strength in handling disrepair claims. He also has a growing policy practice and is able to assist housing associations in drafting allocation and rent reduction schemes.

He has really good awareness of the commercial impact for registered providers and his advice always takes this into account. He is an excellent advocate. Working with Andy is always easy.

Andy is our go-to for Section 204 and homelessness advice. He is a pleasure to work with, receptive and proactive.

He is the best of the best - great knowledge and an unbelievably nice chap who will help anyone.

Andy's level of expertise and approach to advocacy has proven to be exceptional. His service has been amazing, always on-hand, responsive, professional.

Catherine Rowlands
1
Catherine Rowlands
1
Band 1

Catherine Rowlands predominantly advocates on behalf of local authorities and housing associations. She offers expertise across all areas of housing law, and regularly handles cases relating to succession disputes, possession claims and unlawful evictions. She is also a notable expert on homelessness law and has acted in multiple major cases regarding the law in this area.

Catherine is practical and thinks strategically to get the best result possible for our vulnerable clients. The clients can see Catherine really cares.

1
Dean Underwood
1
Band 1

Dean Underwood is a housing and administrative specialist adept in the representation of local authorities and social landlords at all levels of court and tribunal. His areas of particular expertise include possession proceedings, homelessness challenges and disrepair claims.

1
Kelvin Rutledge
1
Band 1

Kelvin Rutledge KC is a highly experienced silk with a particular focus on matters concerning local government. He offers respected expertise in a range of cases, such as those involving homelessness allocation schemes and outer borough placements. He also makes frequent appearances before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He complements his housing expertise with an impressive community care practice, and is able to act in a range of cases where the two spheres intersect. He also regularly provides counsel to local authority clients on issues of policy.

There is nothing Kelvin doesn't know about housing and homelessness; his expertise is unparalleled. His contextual analysis of issues is excellent.

1
Lindsay Johnson
1
Band 1

Lindsay Johnson is a housing specialist known for his strong track record in judicial reviews and in public law challenges covering a range of issues, such as failure to comply with homelessness duties, antisocial behaviour policies and failure to follow allocation policies. His diverse practice also includes areas such as stock transfers, unlawful eviction and possession proceedings. He is also known for his ability to handle disputes over tenancy agreements and service charges.

Lindsay Johnson has immense experience and is very thorough. He has also demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills.

Ranjit Bhose
1
Ranjit Bhose
1
Band 1

Ranjit Bhose KC is a well-respected silk with a broad housing practice that encompasses possession actions, housing finance and large-scale regeneration schemes for local authority and housing association clients. He is particularly commended for his expertise in complex leaseholder issues and service charges. Bhose also regularly advises local authorities and associations on fire safety issues, and frequently appears at all levels of court including the Upper Tribunal and Supreme Court.

He was accessible, supportive yet frank, and able to adapt his approach as needed during the hearing itself.

Ranjit is accessible on short notice or at unusual hours and always happy to help, as well as being able to grapple with technical and detailed aspects of legislation and case law.

Ranjit is our go-to at Cornerstone for all social housing and related matters.

Riccardo Calzavara
1
Riccardo Calzavara
1
Band 1

Riccardo Calzavara has a notable ability to handle complex possession proceedings. He is also frequently instructed in anti-social behaviour cases and homelessness appeals. His impressive practice has seen him make several appearances in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, often in leading cases.

His ability to pay such close attention to every fact, procedural point and submission, while keeping laser-focused on the primary objective and strategy is particularly impressive.

Riccardo is a great advocate. He is sensible and pragmatic in the face of pressure and able to cut through irrelevant complexities.

Riccardo is extremely approachable and supportive.

Sarah Salmon
1
Sarah Salmon
1
Band 1

Sarah Salmon is well versed across all aspects of landlord and tenant law, with particular expertise in antisocial behaviour cases and complex possession proceedings. She is widely praised for her advocacy skills and highly respected for her leading commentary on housing law and judicial reviews. Her complementary acumen in public law matters buttresses her enviable practice.

She has a wealth of experience and utilises this experience to provide realistic appraisals of the merits of a case. She is meticulous is her approach, but incredibly sharp.

Sarah is one of the best barristers in housing law and the first port of call when the chips are down and my client needs a result.

1
Victoria Osler
1
Band 1

Victoria Osler is well known for her diverse practice, which covers areas such as possession actions and homelessness cases, among others. She routinely handles matters in the High Court and Court of Appeal, and impresses clients with the high quality of her written advice as well as her oral advocacy. She has a strong practice defending public law challenges to social housing decisions. She has also acted for clients in shared ownership and subletting disputes.

Victoria Osler is really thorough, strategic and reasonable.

2
Matt Hutchings KC
2
Band 2

Matt Hutchings KC is a highly regarded, passionate advocate with a broad housing practice. He is known for his adept representation of local authorities, tenants and homeless applicants before all levels of court.

He has incredible knowledge of the law and a keen eye for detail, as well as a commercial focus and very good understanding of strategy and court procedure.

Matt has been on-hand when the matter became very complex. He gave clear and helpful guidance.

2
Michael Paget
2
Band 2

Michael Paget offers top-quality advice to an array of clients, including local authorities and housing associations. He is also highly regarded for his direct access and pro bono work on behalf of tenants. He is noted for his adroit handling of homelessness applications and leasehold disputes, and for his work where housing and community care matters intersect. He is also known for his ability to handle unlawful evictions and complex disrepair claims.

Michael Paget is clearly very busy and sought after.

Ryan Kohli
2
Ryan Kohli
2
Band 2

Ryan Kohli is a talented junior who receives regular instructions in antisocial behaviour injunctions, homelessness appeals and possession claims. He is notable for acting in cases where the Equality Act and public law defences are raised. He is highly experienced at tribunal level and has served as sole counsel in the Court of Appeal. His broad practice also sees him advising on fire safety and leasehold disputes.

Wayne Beglan
2
Wayne Beglan
2
Band 2

Wayne Beglan is a junior with a strong reputation for his local government and social housing practice. He routinely undertakes housing work on behalf of local authorities and registered providers, and offers notable expertise across the areas of planning, regeneration and procurement. He has considerable experience appearing before the High Court and appellate courts, and is noted for his experience of judicial review procedures.

Alexander Campbell
3
Alexander Campbell
3
Band 3

Alexander Campbell has a growing reputation for his representation in both housing and public law matters. He is able to rely on his extensive experience in human rights and discrimination cases to undertake complex homelessness and allocation litigation and is particularly strong in claims for possession.

Alexander's written work is very good.

His client care is incredible, especially with nervous clients, and he is definitely a barrister I would send a piece of work to at any level.

Alexander is an amazing, clear and persuasive advocate.

3
Kuljit Bhogal KC
3
Band 3

Kuljit Bhogal KC is considered an expert in areas such as antisocial behaviour, public law defences and the Equality Act. She is frequently sought out by housing clients for her insight and advice on major policy matters. Her impressive client base includes local authorities and housing associations. Bhogal's broad practice also encompasses community care and Court of Protection work.

Tara O'Leary
3
Tara O'Leary
3
Band 3

Tara O'Leary is a talented junior with notable experience in a variety of public law matters. She handles cases relating to homelessness, discrimination and mental capacity issues, among others.

Tara is approachable and helpful. She provided quick advice on a complex matter with a clear view to reputational and commercial concerns.

Tara's advice and drafting work is always excellent, as are her advocacy skills. She is also very sensible and commercially aware.

She always meets deadlines, however tight. She can explain complex matters in a way that my clients can understand.

Her approach was so appreciated and supportive.

4
Matthew Feldman
4
Band 4

Matthew Feldman's areas of expertise include housing and property law, along with skills in public law. He often acts for local authorities and housing associations in all courts in England and Wales, including the Supreme Court.

Matthew is technically brilliant with particularly strong ability of identifying and addressing complex legal issues.

Matthew is always proactive and available to discuss and advise on short notice.

Ranked Barristers at
Cornerstone Barristers

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Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

London (Bar)

Social Housing

1
Kelvin Rutledge KC
1
Band 1
Ranjit Bhose KC
1
Ranjit Bhose KC
1
Band 1
2
Matt Hutchings KC
2
Band 2
3
Kuljit Bhogal KC
3
Band 3

Juniors

London (Bar)

Social Housing

Andrew Lane
Andrew Lane
Star Individuals
Catherine Rowlands
1
Catherine Rowlands
1
Band 1
1
Dean Underwood
1
Band 1
1
Lindsay Johnson
1
Band 1
Riccardo Calzavara
1
Riccardo Calzavara
1
Band 1
Sarah Salmon
1
Sarah Salmon
1
Band 1
1
Victoria Osler
1
Band 1
2
Michael Paget
2
Band 2
Ryan Kohli
2
Ryan Kohli
2
Band 2
Wayne Beglan
2
Wayne Beglan
2
Band 2
Alexander Campbell
3
Alexander Campbell
3
Band 3
Tara O'Leary
3
Tara O'Leary
3
Band 3
4
Matthew Feldman
4
Band 4