Social Housing | UK Bar

4-5 Gray's Inn Square is home to a highly regarded bench of experienced practitioners acting on an exceptionally wide range of housing matters. Members represent clients in possession proceedings, homelessness appeals and housing benefit disputes, among other complex cases. Work highlights for the set this year include Gray v Islington LBC and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. One source says: "4-5 Gray's Inn Square has highly skilled and experienced counsel." Another enthuses: "They produce a high standard of work, achieve great results and are good with highly vulnerable clients."

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.

Doughty Street Chambers is an excellent housing set known for its capabilities in acting for tenants and applicants. The members are experts in possession proceedings and homelessness appeals, with a particular focus on matters involving community care considerations. A particular work highlight for the year was Westminster City Council v Kazam and Rahimi. One source notes: "The expertise at this Chambers sets them apart from others." Another adds that the set has "experienced, knowledgeable and approachable barristers who are easy to work with."

Sian Wilkins is the senior clerk.

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.

Garden Court Chambers is very well known for its representation of tenants in highly complex social housing cases. Members of the set frequently represent vulnerable clients in disrepair claims, homelessness appeals and possession proceedings. Barristers at the set are regularly called on to assist with challenges to local authority housing, welfare and benefit decisions. One source comments: "Garden Court Chambers' broad variety of expertise is a real standout." Another states: "Garden Court is my go-to chambers for complex and sophisticated matters in a homelessness context." A work highlight for the set this year is Ghaoui v Waltham Forest LBS, a homelessness appeal.

A well-respected set with a strong reputation in the social housing sector, Landmark Chambers has an impressive roster of housing practitioners. The barristers regularly represent social landlords and local authorities in a wide range of housing matters. The set routinely handles housing management and development cases involving public law considerations. A market source comments: "They have a wide variety of barristers who have vast knowledge in specific areas." A second interviewee adds: "This chambers is a key resource for the rang of legislation affecting the Landlord and Tenant industry at the moment." A recent work highlight for the set is Tower Hamlets LBC v various leaseholders, concerning the ability of landlords to charge leaseholders for safety works.

42 Bedford Row is a well-respected set with strong expertise in social housing. The social housing team advises local authorities, housing associations, social landlords and private individuals. The barristers work on a wide range of housing mandates, including disrepair, antisocial behaviour, homelessness and allocation issues, and possession and eviction proceedings. A market source says: "42BR Barristers has a good range of barristers that are very knowledgeable with a good skill set." Another states that the members take an "incredibly analytical, thought-based approach in progressing a case." A particular work highlight for the year is Richmond Housing Partnership v Caleeb Yakub-Hughes, a mandatory possession proceedings.

Stuart Ritchie is the senior practice manager.

Gatehouse Chambers continues to be a popular choice for local authorities, landlords and housing associations. The barristers act on a broad range of social housing matters and represent clients in complex possession cases, disrepair claims and anti-social behaviour disputes. Members of the set regularly appear in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

A recent work highlight for the set this year was Poplar v Kerr, a case concerned with a suspended possession order. One source says: "Gatehouse chamber has a strong bench across the board." Another adds that that set has "experienced and skilled practitioners."

Elliot Langdorf is the practice director.

One Pump Court houses a number of experienced social housing barristers who have expertise in possession claims, antisocial behaviour proceedings and cases relating to homelessness. They are frequently retained for both landlord and tenant work, and offer experience appearing before all levels of the court, up to the Supreme Court. A source says: "One Pump Court has very experienced barristers, they are able to provide counsel at short notice." Another adds that the set has "a wealth of expertise, excellent service, is very responsive and committed to legal aid work."