Housing Law

"An outstanding set known for its superb representation of tenants, Garden Court maintains its position at the forefront of social housing issues."

Chambers UK Bar Guide - Band 1

"Members of the set routinely act for vulnerable clients in possession proceedings, disrepair claims and homelessness appeals, and appear at all levels challenging local authorities' decisions on welfare and benefits."

Chambers UK Bar Guide - Band 1

"Garden Court’s formidable reputation in housing is complemented by its extensive expertise in community care, human rights and public law cases. Its barristers are particularly adept at utilising Equality Act defences."

Chambers UK Bar Guide - Band 1

"The clerks at the chambers are efficient, helpful and friendly." "The set’s clerking service is excellent."

Chambers UK Bar Guide - Band 1

"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."

Chambers UK Bar Guide - Band 1

To contact the Housing Clerks, please email housingandpropertycl@gclaw.co.uk or phone

+44 (0)20 7993 7600

We also accept instructions for both paperwork and hearings taking place by telephone and video link. We are well set up to arrange video links. We are also readily available to provide urgent advice and guidance.

Share This Page

Email This Page

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Logo
Logo

Positioned at the forefront of social housing legal advice, Garden Court Chambers is ranked in Band 1 of the Chambers UK Bar Guide & Tier 1 in Legal 500, in recognition of our outstanding expertise in this area of law.

Areas of Expertise

  • Possession claims
  • Homelessness
  • Disrepair and housing conditions
  • Equality Act and Disability issues
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Allocation of social housing
  • Unlawful eviction
  • Romani Gypsy and Traveller Rights
  • Welfare benefits
  • Community care

The Housing Team at Garden Court is one of the largest teams in the country and offers expertise across the full range of housing work. The experience available within the Team is unrivalled. We advise and represent housing clients at all court levels. Members of the Team have appeared in many of the leading cases.

We write or contribute to many practitioner texts and articles including Housing Allocation and Homelessness Law and Practice, Discrimination in Housing Law and the monthly Housing Law update in Legal Action.

Housing law cases can and often do raise aspects of immigration, family law, welfare benefits, discrimination, and criminal law. Court of Protection issues can also arise. We pride ourselves on our cross-over expertise and as part of a multi-disciplinary set of around 200 barristers, we are extremely well placed to advise on these other issues related to housing.

Our housing law barristers advise 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 and Care 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.

Recent Notable Cases & News

Garden Court Chambers celebrates 50th Anniversary

This year marks 50 years of Garden Court Chambers winning ground-breaking cases of constitutional importance.

Friday 31 May 2024

Clarion Housing Association ordered to pay significant compensation for discriminating against tenant

Ms Feeney was represented by Nick Bano of the Garden Court Chambers Housing Law Team. Nick was instructed by Serdar Celebi and Anna Jones at Islington Law Centre.

Friday 31 Jan 2025

Court of Appeal clarifies rules on service of “Notices” in landlord-tenant dispute

The tenants were represented by Tim Jones of the Garden Court Chambers Housing Law Team, alongside Matthew Lee and led by Martin Westgate KC of Doughty Street Chambers. Counsel were instructed by Manjinder Kaur Atwal and Vincent Davis of Duncan Lewis Solicitors. 

Tuesday 21 Jan 2025

Judicial Review dismissed – Decision upheld to allow prosecution of Clearsprings Ready Homes for housing standards breach in asylum support accommodation

Stephanie Harrison KC, leading Tim Baldwin, were instructed by Swindon Borough Council, the Interested Party and prosecution authority in this case, which is of significant public importance concerning the enforcement of housing standard in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Thursday 2 Jan 2025

Second Court of Appeal hearing scheduled for December in crucial housing legal case

Tim Jones of the Garden Court Housing Law Team represents the Appellant, alongside Matthew Lee of Doughty Street Chambers, instructed by Manjinder Kaur Atwal and Vincent Davis of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

Monday 18 Nov 2024

Michael Engelhardt-Sprack joins Garden Court Chambers as new tenant

We are delighted to announce that Michael Engelhardt-Sprack has joined Garden Court Chambers as a new tenant.

Wednesday 13 Nov 2024

URGENT WORK

Chambers’ housing team operates an urgent work and out of hours rota.

The housing clerks can be contacted on 07889044442 and will be pleased to arrange for members of the team to assist with urgent work. Please note this number is for the legal profession only. Enquiries from members of the public or enquiries relating to non-urgent work cannot be dealt with on this number.

General enquiries from the legal profession can be dealt with by contacting the clerks on housingandpropertycl@gclaw.co.uk or call us on 020 7993 7600.

Enquiries from members of the public can be dealt with by emailing pa@gclaw.co.uk or calling 020 7993 7777.

Publications, Advice & Training

Our work extends beyond the courtroom. Our housing law barristers 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, including:

  • Against Landlords: How to solve the housing crisis (2024) by Nick Bano
  • Discrimination in Housing Law (1st edition, 2024) by David Renton
  • A Practical Guide to the Public Sector Equality Duty in Housing (1st edition, 2023) by Nick Bano
  • Migrant Support Handbook (2023) co-authored by Connor Johnston
  • Housing Allocation and Homelessness Law and Practice (6th edition, 2022) co-authored by HHJ Luba KC, Liz Davies KC, Connor Johnston and Tessa Buchanan.
  • Defending Possession Proceedings (9th edition, 2022) co-authored by HHJ Luba KC (and others)
  • Jobs and Homes: Stories of the Law in Lockdown (2021) by David Renton
  • Housing Law Handbook (2nd edition, 2020) by Stephen Cottle and other members of the Garden Court Chambers Housing Team, available from the Law Society
  • Housing Conditions: Tenants’ Rights (6th edition, 2019) co-authored by HHJ Luba KC, Catherine O’Donnell and Giles Peaker

We 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, Legal Action Group, The Law Society, Liberty and others.

If you would like the Housing Team to deliver a training session at your firm or organisation please contact the Housing Team clerks.

Useful Links & Materials

Useful Links

We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

+ View more awards