Social Housing

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, anti-social 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.

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.

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.

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 growing practice defending public law challenges to social housing decisions. She has also acted for clients in shared ownership and subletting disputes.

David Lintott is known particularly for his expertise in homelessness matters, and he regularly makes successful presentations before the Court of Appeal. His broad client base includes a number of local authorities. He also shows strength in possession proceedings and anti-social behaviour order applications.

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.

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.

Ryan Kohli is a talented junior who receives regular instructions in anti-social 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.

Sarah Salmon is well versed across all aspects of landlord and tenant law, with particular expertise in anti-social 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 is the current chair of the SHLA.

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 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.

Kuljit Bhogal KC is considered an expert in areas such as anti-social 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.

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.

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.