Social Housing

Sarah Steinhardt is an effective, accomplished advocate with pronounced expertise in mental capacity and Equality Act issues in the context of social housing. Her impressive practice takes in homelessness cases and challenges to allocation schemes. She regularly handles disability discrimination matters as part of her diverse practice. Steinhardt is also recognised for her strength in housing benefit disputes.

"Sarah is a very experienced and impressive practitioner who is able to handle complex matters and take inventive and novel points."

"Her advocacy is exemplary, she is very personable with clients, and her advice, drafting and help generally in progressing a difficult case are second to none."

"Sarah is a real authority on Equality Act 2010 issues and also a really clear communicator, breaking down complex technical issues with ease."

Zia Nabi is a housing and social welfare specialist with significant experience advocating in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. He routinely handles public law challenges with regard to community care, social housing and human rights law.

"Zia is at the cutting edge of homelessness law. He gives his time freely and helpfully."

"A superbly persuasive advocate in the most difficult cases, and with a clear eye on the big picture. A particular expert on homelessness appeals."

"Zia Nabi is simply the best barrister in the country for homelessness."

Martin Westgate KC is a respected leader of the public law team at Doughty Street and widely considered to be a go-to silk for tenants and applicants. He has been involved in high-profile cases concerning the housing benefit cap and the so-called 'bedroom tax'. He regularly acts on matters where human rights and housing law interact. A further area of expertise lies in advising local authorities on policy issues.

"Martin is extremely clever and able. He is a top-level silk for housing and public law disputes."

"There is no one better than Martin for complex housing cases. He is extremely persuasive and his analysis is always very impressive."

Daniel Clarke has an impressive reputation for representing tenants in possession proceedings and homelessness appeals. He is particularly adroit at handling cases with elements of community care and garners praise for his ability to engage with clients who lack capacity. He is also frequently instructed in disrepair and unlawful eviction claims.

"A top choice for complex housing cases, including possession claims, housing disrepair and housing-related public law challenges."

"Daniel Clarke is extremely capable and knowledgeable. He is always very willing to take the extra time to think through case strategy."

"Daniel is very smart and pragmatic, and also a particular expert on the contentious issue of litigation capacity in possession proceedings."

David Carter is an established advocate with substantial experience acting for both private and public sector clients in landlord and tenant and local government issues. He is recommended for his skilful handling of matters that have a public law or human rights element, and is especially well regarded for his expert handling of homelessness appeals.

"He is effective, thorough and responsive when advising on highly complex matters."

"David is a really great barrister. He's very knowledgeable, he talks to you about your cases and he is always there to help."

"David is very knowledgeable and quick to respond. He gives really great advice and representation. I would always choose David to do battle in asylum tribunals."

Dominic Preston elicits praise for his homelessness expertise, encompassing priority need and intentionality cases, and Court of Protection and anti-social behaviour work. He is also known for his ability to handle complex disrepair and unlawful eviction claims, and is increasingly sought after by clients in possession proceedings. He is able to draw on broader knowledge of human rights, EU and immigration law to inform his housing practice.

"Dominic is a hugely experienced practitioner in his field. He is thorough and dependable. He has superb knowledge and is very tactically astute."

"He has very good attention to detail and thinks carefully about the consequences of his advice for the client, which they and instructing solicitors appreciate."

"Dominic is a masterful advocate who draws on his immense experience and intellect to achieve amazing results for his clients."

"Dominic is very expert and particularly good at untangling complex factual situations."

Jamie Burton KC is a well-respected litigator with a strong reputation for his judicial review work. He is held in esteem for his adroit handling of homelessness cases and landlord and tenant disputes, and offers particularly in-depth knowledge of the Housing Act 1996. Commentators note that he has an exceptionally strong grasp of human rights law.

"A top-level silk for housing and public law disputes."

"Jamie Burton is absolutely excellent on all fronts."

Matthew Lee is a strong junior with significant market recognition for his appearances in notable reported cases. He acts in possession cases and anti-social behaviour claims, among other disputes, including those relating to the Equality Act 2010.

"I know I can always trust Matthew to deal with complex matters in an impeccable way and pick out issues and bring about innovative arguments."

"Matthew is a fearless advocate and is particularly good on cases where there are Equality Act 2010 issues."

"He is innovative, personable and understands the struggles solicitors have with the clients."

Alice Irving handles mandates across all areas of housing law, such as possession claims, anti-social behaviour injunctions and closure orders. She also has experience in accommodation, disrepair and homelessness disputes.

"Alice has a keen awareness of how difficult life can be for vulnerable people that not all legal professionals hold. She is a force for good to have on your side in complex legal matters."

"Alice is a very conscientious and responsive barrister who can be relied on in difficult cases."

"She is clearly very passionate, which comes across in the way she conducts cases and her advocacy. She is particularly skilled when it comes to capacity issues."

"She is doing some absolutely exceptional work in this area and I have no doubt that she will go on to be a leader in housing law."

"She is collaborative and responsive with solicitors, and creative and detailed in written advice and pleadings."

David Cowan frequently acts on homelessness and housing duty matters as well as landlord and tenant mandates. Alongside his thriving practice, he is Professor of Law and Policy at the University of Bristol, where he teaches property and housing law.

"David Cowan is always whose advice I would seek with something out of the ordinary or an abstruse area of housing or property law."

"A recognised authority in housing law and a real pleasure to work with."

"He is effective, thorough and responsive when advising on highly complex matters."

Rea Murray has a wide-ranging and well-regarded social housing practice. She is an expert in such matters as homelessness and Equality Act matters. She has experience at all levels of court up to the Supreme Court.

"Rea fights hard and skilfully for her clients."

"Rea Murray provides excellent insight into complex cases and strong, well-drafted arguments regarding Equalities Act and protected characteristics in the context of a Housing Act appeal."

"She is effective, thorough and responsive when advising on highly complex matters."

Marie Paris is an up-and-coming social housing practitioner who is regularly instructed to represent vulnerable people in homelessness matters, judicial reviews and anti-social behaviour cases. She also has in-depth experience in possession proceedings.

"She is tenacious and fierce when she needs to be but is also very approachable and extremely sensitive when dealing with clients."

"She has built up a lot of fantastic legal experience in a very short time. Her written work is excellent and she is a compelling advocate when in court."

"Marie is a rising star of the housing advocacy world. She has a wonderful sympathetic manner with clients, is a forceful advocate and has a very pragmatic approach to litigation."