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Garden Court Chambers
www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk / info@gardencourtchambers.co.uk


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Home » Practice Areas » Housing

Housing

Seen by many as the premier chambers representing tenants or the homeless, Garden Court has individuals who are "at the forefront of housing law." Its highly regarded members are "a pleasure to work with," and are lauded for their dedication to the sector. They are "passionate about assisting vulnerable people in society, and ensuring that justice is upheld," say observers. An additional boon provided by the set comes in the form of the clerking team, led by Phil Bampfylde, all of whom "provide a high level of service" and are "very helpful."
Chambers UK 2013

"The members of this highly lauded set act for those who avail themselves of social housing. Praised for their intelligence, efficiency and dedication to their work, they are at the forefront of areas such as tenants' rights"
Chambers UK 2012

The Work We Do

Garden Court Chambers has one of the largest specialist housing law teams in the country (currently 27 barristers) and has a well-earned reputation for excellence in this area. We cover all aspects of housing law including possession claims, unlawful eviction, homelessness, allocation of social housing, disrepair and housing benefit.

Our practitioners also have specialist expertise in many of the 'niche' areas within housing law including Romani Gypsy and Traveller Rights, disability issues, welfare benefits, ASBOs and ASBIs, community care, unfair terms in tenancy agreements, general town and country planning matters, grants, licensing of houses in multiple occupation, housing standards, and the housing health and safety rating system. We are particularly committed to representing tenants, other occupiers and homeless people.

"Best known for representing tenants, Garden Court is home to a wealth of intelligent and passionate barristers who are 'extremely committed to their work and always willing to go that extra mile.'"
Chambers UK 2011

Cross-Over Expertise

Housing law cases can and often do also raise aspects of immigration, family law, welfare benefits, disability, and criminal law. We pride ourselves on our cross-over expertise and as part of a multi-disciplinary set are extremely well placed to advise on these other issues related to housing. The team advises on the full range of accommodation and support issues concerning migrant welfare and asylum support. We are able to offer a complete service in social services, homelessness and connected Children Act matters. Thanks to our fluid and cross-disciplinary approach, we can draw on the wisdom and experience of our colleagues in Chambers who specialise in these areas.

"Clients appreciate the set's strength and depth in a range of disciplines, such as immigration and civil liberties, which naturally complements its housing expertise. The full spectrum of housing law is catered for here, particularly homelessness, unlawful eviction and disrepair issues."
Chambers UK 2011

We are fortunate to have a wide breadth of expertise on the team - from experienced senior practitioners and QCs to tenacious and committed juniors. The Housing Team provides a full service, covering cases from the lowest to the highest courts, as well as undertaking advisory work.

"Garden Court Chambers is 'exceptional in housing law', where the barristers are 'dedicated and go the extra mile for clients'."
The Legal 500 2011

Publications, Advice and Training

Our work extends beyond the courtroom. We also spend time training, advising and writing on housing issues. Our members have written or co-authored some of the most important works currently available in housing law:

We have also written two of the Jordans Special Bulletins on The Homelessness Act 2002 and Housing and the Human Rights Act.

We produce a free weekly Housing Law Bulletin and regularly contribute articles and case reports to professional publications such as Legal Action, Journal of Housing Law, Solicitors Journal, Landlord and Tenant Review and the New Law Journal.

Over many years, we have supported the Housing Law Practitioners' Association (HLPA) as both ordinary and executive members, and by giving talks and attending meetings. We have also taken part in numerous training courses provided by or in association with the Legal Action Group, the Law Society, Liberty and others.

Recent Notable Cases

We have appeared in many of the leading housing cases of recent years. A selection of just the most recent higher court cases in which members of the team have appeared includes:

2012
Corporation of London v Samede [2012] EWCA Civ 160
Wirral MBC v Salibury Independent Living Ltd [2012] EWCA Civ 84

2011
Sheridan and Others v Basildon BC [2011] EWCA Civ 1374
Hounslow LBC v Powell [2011] UKSC 8
Sun Street Properties v Smith and others [2011] EWHC 3432
Flynn v Basildon BC [2011] EWCA 1226
Bubb v Wandsworth LBC [2011] EWCA Civ 1285
Places for People Ltd v Sharples [2011] EWCA Civ 813
Yemshaw v Hounslow LBC [2011] UKSC 3
R (on the application of FZ) v Croydon LBC [2011] EWCA Civ 59

2010
Manchester City Council v Pinnock [2010] UKSC 45
Tiensia v Universal Estates [2010] Civ 1224
Sheffield City Council v Wall (No.2) [2010] EWCA Civ 922
Hall v Mayor of London [2010] EWCA Civ 817
Metropolitan Housing Trust v Hadjazi [2010] EWCA Civ 750
Salford City Council v Mullen [2010] EWCA Civ 336
Henley v Bloom [2010] EWCA Civ 202
Teixeira v Lambeth LBC [2010] EUECJ C-480/08
Bilgili v Paddington Churches Housing Association [2010] EWCA Civ 1341
Austin v Southwark LBC [2010] UKSC 28

Wayne Smith v Land Registry [2010] EWCA Civ 200
Kay v United Kingdom (Application no 37341/06) [2010] ECtHR Judgment

R (Ariemuguvbe) v Islington LBC [2009] EWCA Civ 1308

Service to our clients

We are proud of the professional, approachable and up-to-date housing law service that we provide.

"The individuals at the set 'are all approachable and friendly, and you get the sense that they are doing it for more than the money.' This sense of dedication and professionalism is seen to permeate the set in its entirety: "Everyone here is very good. The Chambers as a whole is well run, and the clerks and barristers are a pleasure to work with.'"
Chambers UK 2012

If you would like more information about the housing team, please email the clerks civilclerks@gclaw.co.uk or call us on 020 7993 7600.

Chambers' housing team operates an urgent work and out of hours rota. The housing clerks can be contacted on 07920 497 962 and will be pleased to arrange for members of the team to assist with urgent work.

Please note that this number is for the legal profession only. Calls that are not related to urgent housing work cannot be dealt with on this number. Enquiries from members of the public cannot be dealt with on this number. They may find the DirectGov website helpful.

The team

Members of the Housing team are listed below - click on their names to go to their profiles.

James Bowen

1979

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Jan Luba QC

1980

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Stephen Cottle

1984

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Beatrice Prevatt

1985

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Marc Willers

1987

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Edward Fitzpatrick

1990

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Bethan Harris

1990

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Stephen Knafler QC

1993

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Liz Davies

1994

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Michael Paget

1995

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Adrian Berry

1998

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Adrian Marshall Williams

1998

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Alex Offer

1998

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Catherine O'Donnell

2000

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Marina Sergides

2000

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Tim Baldwin

2001

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Maya Naidoo

2002

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Irena Sabic

2002

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John Beckley

2003

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Stephen Marsh

2005

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Shu Shin Luh

2006

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Alex Grigg

2007

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David Renton

2008

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Claire McGregor

2009

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Owen Greenhall

2010

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Connor Johnston

2010

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GARDEN COURT CHAMBERS, 57- 60 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LJ
Telephone: 020 7993 7600, Fax 020 7993 7700 | info@gclaw.co.uk
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Garden Court Chambers, 57- 60 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2A 3LJ
Telephone: 020 7993 7600 / Fax 020 7993 7700 / Email: info@gclaw.co.uk

© 2013 Garden Court Chambers