Department profile
Five Paper

Social Housing

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Five Paper

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Social Housing - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Five Paper continues to be well respected for its social housing expertise. The set is home to highly experienced barristers covering a range of matters, including disrepair claims, tenancy disputes, homelessness cases and possession proceedings. Members of Five Paper regularly act for local authorities and housing providers, as well as individuals. The barristers are regularly called on to act in complex cases that challenge existing policies. Instructing solicitors note the set's barristers are "knowledgeable, take a friendly approach and are easy to talk to." Another source reports: "Five Paper are true specialists for social landlords and the breadth of their experience through the set is unsurpassed." This year, the set appeared in Hajan v Brent LBC, a second appeal on the issue of the meaning of the work 'proceedings' for the purposes of the Housing Act 1985.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • A proactive helpful set of clerks.

    Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • David Portch, director of clerking, is always great at getting straight back to me.

    Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks at Five Paper respond the quickest.

    Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks will always try their best to accommodate requirements even with last-minute hearings and tight deadlines.

    Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Practice manager Dan Driscoll is excellent.

    Social Housing respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Nicholas Grundy
    Band 1Nicholas Grundy

    Nicholas Grundy

    Nicholas Grundy KC is an experienced senior advocate with a specialism in social housing cases that interact with real property, European law or discrimination issues. He regularly advises local housing authorities on policy matters and earns praise for his dedication to clients. He has appeared at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court.

    • Nicholas Grundy is highly reliable and efficient in his skill sets and experience in dealing with social housing matters.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Nick continues to be a leading light in the sector and can always be relied upon to provide pragmatic and commercially aware advice.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Nick has acted in some big and complex issues. He provides a level of security for the clients.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Nicholas is the go-to senior. He has assisted us with some complex technical issues and has the gravitas and authority to not only get results at court but to make clients feel safe in his hands.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Stephen Evans
    Band 1Stephen Evans

    Stephen Evans

    Stephen Evans is considered an authority on the Equality Act and disability discrimination in relation to social housing. He is also experienced in judicial review of homelessness decisions, leasehold valuation and dilapidation claims. He frequently appears at all levels of court, including the Court of Appeal. He counts several local authorities and registered providers as his clients.

    • Stephen is very knowledgeable in his practice area. In addition, he is very approachable and personable which are some of the great attributes of a great lawyer.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Stephen is extremely experienced. He is always entirely thorough, well-prepared and can be relied upon to provide technically excellent advice and representation.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Terence Gallivan
    Band 1Terence Gallivan

    Terence Gallivan

    Terence Gallivan acts primarily for housing associations and local authorities, although he is also recognised for his representation of legal aid clients in the sector. Much of his housing practice involves human rights and mental health issues, and he routinely handles a number of homelessness and possession appeals. He is also known for his expertise in acting for tenant management organisations.

    • Terence Gallivan has provided clear advice in difficult cases. A very strong advocate.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Tina Conlan
    Band 1Tina Conlan

    Tina Conlan

    Tina Conlan is recognised for the breadth of her practice; she is often instructed in possession proceedings, disrepair claims and antisocial behaviour matters. She has appeared before all levels of court, including the Court of Appeal. She is also commended for her work on homelessness appeals and subletting cases.

    • Tina is an absolute gem of a barrister working in the homelessness field. She is extremely knowledgeable and able, an excellent advocate, outstandingly accessible and helpful beyond measure.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Tina Conlan is tremendous and easy to talk to. She has excellent expertise, very good advocacy skills and is friendly.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Angela Hall
    Band 2Angela Hall

    Angela Hall

    Angela Hall operates a dynamic practice and is favoured by leading solicitors in the field, as well as a number of key local authorities and housing providers. She acts in homelessness cases, allegations of antisocial behaviour and harassment, and a variety of regulatory matters.

    • Angela Hall is reliable, providing clear advice and is strong in her advocacy before the court.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Angela is a brilliant advocate and always will spot any weaknesses or issues and come up with a plan to address those issues to ensure the best outcome for the client.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Elizabeth England
    Band 2Elizabeth England

    Elizabeth England

    Elizabeth England is a housing specialist who acts for a range of clients in possession proceedings, unlawful eviction cases, and harassment and antisocial behaviour matters, among other cases. She regularly handles cases concerning human rights issues and the Equality Act.

    • Liz has very good client skills and is always clear with her advice and on the merits of a case, which helps to plan and consider strategy. Liz is very good as an advocate and very persuasive.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Elizabeth England has excellent legal knowledge; she is very approachable and considers the commercial sense of advice given.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Elizabeth has excellent knowledge of housing and produces high-quality work.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Sam Phillips
    Band 2Sam Phillips

    Sam Phillips

    Sam Phillips is a strong junior who routinely handles a range of housing matters, including possession proceedings and cases that raise Article 8 challenges. He gained significant sector expertise from his time working for one of the largest social landlords in the country before being called to the Bar. He also has notable experience handling succession of tenancy disputes.

    • Sam is an excellent barrister who just gets it. Brilliant with clients, extremely approachable and technically very good.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Sam is extremely well liked by the clients for being able to advocate strongly and provide clear advice.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Jennifer Moate
    Band 3Jennifer Moate

    Jennifer Moate

    Jennifer Moate's social housing experience includes overcrowding and Equality Act mandates. She also has notable expertise in a wide range of complex matters including those related to infringement of a person's freedom, homelessness, antisocial behaviour and possession.

    • Jennifer is very experienced and very helpful. The quality of the service she provides is outstanding.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Jenny gives clear advice and is realistic about prospects of success. Her advocacy is strong.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • My go-to counsel for all levels of work, but particularly for knotty problems. Jennifer's work is always first-rate.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Josephine Henderson
    Band 3Josephine Henderson

    Josephine Henderson

    Josephine Henderson is an established junior barrister with a comprehensive knowledge of the full range of social housing issues. She is frequently instructed by both tenants and landlords to act in homelessness appeals, antisocial behaviour cases and service charge disputes. Her broad housing practice has frequently taken her to the Court of Appeal, and she is particularly commended for her work on cases with a human rights element.

    • Josephine Henderson is very experienced and knowledgeable.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Michael Mullin
    Band 3Michael Mullin

    Michael Mullin

    Michael Mullin is the head of Five Paper's social housing practice and frequently acts on possession claims, accommodation suitability matters and EPA prosecutions, among numerous other cases. He has experienced of appearing at all levels of court including the High Court and Court of Appeal.

    • Michael is an excellent barrister, an all-rounder both in drafting and advocacy and advice. He has achieved some excellent results for us.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Michael is expert in his area of housing and property. He was faultless in providing his opinion, generous, practical and accessible to instructing lawyers.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Millie Polimac
    Band 3Millie Polimac

    Millie Polimac

    Millie Polimac regularly acts for local housing authorities, as well as individual tenants, in cases ranging from claims for possession to allocation policy challenges. She has considerable knowledge of EU law.

    • Millie's knowledge and advocacy skills in Section 204 appeal cases are excellent, as is her service delivery.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Tristan Salter
    Band 3Tristan Salter

    Tristan Salter

    Tristan Salter is a promising junior with a broad social housing practice. He represents registered providers and local authorities in succession matters, unlawful evictions and possession proceedings.

    • Tristan is an excellent advocate and is his paperwork is always first-rate. He is a go-to junior, a safe pair of hands and someone you want on your side.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Tristan is always a safe pair of hands and is adept at identifying developing trends in the sector and factoring the same into his approach.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar
    • Tristan is an excellent barrister - technically very good and understands the intricacies of social housing law.

      Social Housing respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Five Paper (12)

London (Bar)

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