Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP’s social housing group is highly praised by clients, especially for ‘matters concerning disrepair and housing conditions’. The team is well regarded in cases involving the rights of social housing tenants and leaseholders, and it boasts particular expertise in new-build and shared ownership properties, fire safety, and tenancy deposits. Leaseholder issues and disrepair claims are a key area of expertise for Andrew Brookes, who sits at the helm of the department and was instructed on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. Timothy Waitt is well equipped to handle cases regarding defective newly built shared housing schemes, while Giles Peaker is experienced in multi-claimant matters and possession claims. Eleanor Solomon is also a key name who is praised as ‘an exceptional lawyer’, and she undertakes the full range of social housing litigation.

The social housing team at Bindmans LLP is praised as ‘a market leader’ for its notable expertise in exclusively representing tenants across the entire gamut of housing law, and it is frequently sought after to handle mandates involving mental capacity issues, fire safety, civil liberties, and community care. With substantial experience assisting cladding victims, ‘veteran’ departmental lead Paul Ridge also had a pivotal role in representing the victims of Grenfell Tower. The ‘brilliant housing lawyer’ Christian Hansen boasts extensive expertise in large group claims for tenants and leaseholders against social landlords. Hansen also specialises in Human Rights Act defenses against possession claims. Other key members of the team include Will Whitaker and Emma Pein.

The social housing team at Osbornes boasts extensive experience in representing clients with claims against local authorities and housing associations in mandates surrounding disrepair, possession, eviction warrants and illegal evictions, homelessness, and anti-social behaviour. Its client base often includes individuals who are vulnerable, suffer from mental health issues, lack capacity, and have language difficulties. Practice head William Ford is praised as ‘the best housing and social security lawyer in the sector’, and he predominately acts for tenants. Ford is also well-equipped to bring judicial review claims, and he has a strong focus on supporting migrants. Edward Taylor has a particular focus on representing disadvantaged individuals, including those who are homeless and those who have mental health difficulties. Disrepair and possession-related cases are a key strength of Taylor. Alex McMahon is another notable team member who practices across housing law, public law, and community care.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors regularly represents landlords and tenants across the entire remit of social housing law matters, from possession and homelessness cases, disrepair issues, and succession for tenants, to unlawful evictions and neighbourhood disputes against local authorities. Key names within the team include Manjinder Kaur Atwal, who advises clients on landlord and tenant disputes, judicial review claims, and property nuisance issues, and Dianne Cowie, who has appeared before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Bernadette Chikwe is another notable name with expertise in applications to suspend warrants of eviction. Daljit Singh is skilled in homelessness reviews and appeals in the County Court.

The housing and property department at Hodge Jones & Allen boasts wide-ranging expertise, encompassing issues of disrepair, possession, illegal eviction, and anti-social behaviour injunctions. Of particular note is the group’s strengths in the public and administrative law elements of social housing work, including homelessness reviews and appeals, judicial review claims, and discrimination. Practice head Jayesh Kunwardia has a broad housing litigation practice and frequently acts in disrepair, possession, and judicial review claims, as well as mandates regarding discrimination. Farzana Chowdhury is lauded as ‘the go-to person for longstanding disrepair issues’, in addition to defending possession claims revolving around nuisance, anti-social behaviour, and tenancy fraud. Sophie Bell ‘is a fantastic solicitor who does a lot of work on behalf of clients who suffer with disabilities’, and she is notably active in homeless reviews and appeals, in addition to possession and eviction mandates. Daniel Fitzpatrick joined Capsticks LLP in March 2024 and Suzanne Bird also left the firm.

Miles & Partners LLP is well equipped to advise tenants, homeless people seeking accommodation, and those living in unsuitable accommodation. Its expertise encompasses advice on possession proceedings, disrepair issues, tenant succession, and judicial reviews. Social welfare law expert Lou Crisfield sits at the helm of the team and boasts significant experience in the cross-over between social housing and immigration law. Rajea Sultana frequently represents clients challenging local authority decisions surrounding priority need, intentional homelessness, and suitability of accommodation. In team news, Rebekah Carrier joined the group in April 2023 from Hopkin Murray Beskine Solicitors and she has bolstered the team’s public law offering.

Burke Niazi Solicitors & Advocates regularly undertakes social housing work that intersects with discrimination, mental capacity, and social care issues, as well as mandates involving Equality Act and public law elements. The practice is jointly led by mental health and mental capacity law expert Michael Barrett and Alexander Kalliades, who rejoined the firm in the beginning of 2024, bolstering the group’s judicial review offering.  Keith Clarke was appointed as a District Judge in December 2023.

GT Stewart Limited‘s housing group represents clients across a range of mandates, including possession proceedings, antisocial behaviour injunctions, and disrepair matters, as well as homelessness and judicial review claims, leasehold extensions, and unlawful evictions. Practice head Claire Wiles and Susan Gronbach regularly act for clients who lack capacity and those who have medical, social, and mental health problems, and they are often instructed by the Official Solicitor. Sarah Mossop is particularly active in housing disrepair claims, while James Garvey specialises in acting for leaseholders.

The social housing department at Russell-Cooke LLP has been active in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, representing clients in mandates surrounding their housing situation, civil claims, and the public inquiry. Jason Hunter leads the team, and homelessness case expert Caroline Brosnan and Jodie Green take leading roles in the group’s legal aid provision. Jack Crown boasts a broad ranging practice that encompasses cases of homelessness, possession proceedings, unlawful eviction, discrimination, judicial review, and disrepair matters.

Katie Brown chairs the social welfare and public law team at TV Edwards Solicitors LLP, which has broad-ranging expertise across possession proceedings involving allegations of anti-social behaviour, rent arrears, and sub-letting, disrepair mandates, and homelessness cases. The practice benefits from the firm’s wider knowledge of Court of Protection matters and community care, which are often overlapping with social housing cases. Jacky Starling and Emily Black are also key names within the department.