Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Social Housing - Northern/North Eastern (Bar)
What the Team is Known For
With a deep bench of housing law practitioners, Garden Court North Chambers continues to represent tenants and charitable organisations in a wide variety of cases, including possession claims, injunction proceedings and a range of judicial reviews. The barristers at the set are well known for their abilities in complementary areas, such as immigration, human rights and community care law, and bring this expertise to bear in complex cases. A recent instruction for the set was Sandwell MBC v Harris, a possession claim related to antisocial behaviour. An interviewee reports: "The set has very experienced counsel available for drafting pleadings and advocacy." Another adds: "The barristers are extremely knowledgeable and capable."
Annmarie Nightingale is head of practice management.
Strengths
When instructed on a matter, the clerks are extremely helpful and respond very quickly to enquiries.
Notable practitioners
James Stark regularly advocates before the Court of Appeal and enjoys a formidable reputation in the sector. In addition to his in-depth knowledge of public and private landlord and tenant law, he has broad experience in trespasser and Traveller cases, and frequently takes instructions from the official solicitor to represent those with diminished capacity and mental health issues. His housing cases often overlap with community care.
James Stark is an absolute expert in dealing with housing and homelessness matters.
Joseph Markus is a public law practitioner who often appears in housing-related judicial reviews. He has a strong knowledge of equality and human rights issues and draws praise for his work on homelessness cases.
Joseph Markus is extraordinarily efficient in turning instructions around, and with a real insight for the bigger picture which often goes far beyond the client's immediate presenting problem.
Joseph Markus is an exceptional barrister who is able to make even the most complex case look straightforward. He is responsive, clear and thorough in his advice.
Elizabeth Mottershaw acts in possession, injunction proceedings, unlawful eviction, disrepair and homelessness cases. She often represents clients with vulnerabilities including mental and physical disabilities and lack of capacity.
Elizabeth has covered various cases on our behalf and is very competent with strong advocacy skills.
Elizabeth Mottershaw is a brilliant barrister who provides extremely helpful written advice and high-quality pleadings.
An excellent advocate who is especially sensitive to the needs of vulnerable clients and goes the extra mile for them.
Sonia Birdee covers a range of housing cases and has particular expertise in discrimination-related matters. She defends her clients in possession claims and accommodation issues, and frequently acts in homelessness cases.
Her expertise in this area is extremely strong and she has a gift for approaching problems holistically, which is a huge asset when my cases involve clients with multiple complex needs.
Kevin Lister is an experienced housing barrister with vast knowledge of social housing matters. He is well known for his public law expertise.
Mr Lister's longstanding expertise in this sector shines through in his detailed, thorough and pragmatic advice. He is brilliant with clients.
Kevin's drafting is first-rate and his advice is insightful.
Rosalind Burgin has a growing practice in the social housing space which sees her acting in a wide range of matters including possession claims, and homelessness proceedings.
Rosalind Burgin is really clever and will bring new ideas to a case.