The social housing department at Capsticks LLP which is praised for its ‘considered and clear’ legal advice is co-led by Michael Owen  and Spencer Vella Sultana. Owen is ‘incredibly knowledgeable’, serving as a key advisor on housing management matters including injunction orders, powers of arrest and exclusion orders, and possession orders. A housing development specialist, Vella Sultana assists major clients on land and unit acquisitions, site development, and estate regeneration. Further experts include Suzanne Smith, who brings deep planning law knowledge to the social housing space, and Rita Saadeh, who acts for registered providers on site development and regeneration matters.

Demonstrating a ‘collaborative, client-focused approach’, the social housing sector group at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP offers housing providers and associations specialist advice on home ownership, social housing finance, and portfolio and asset management matters. Linda Storey heads the team, bringing longstanding expertise to housing providers on matters including acquisitions, disposals, and home ownership transactions. A housing securitisation and portfolio management expert, Charlotte D’Avola acts for housing associations on funding models, transactions, and asset management matters. A key contact among registered providers, commercial property specialist Catherine Bradshaw assists on site acquisitions, planning and development agreements, and leases.

Possessing an acute ability to balance legal ‘professionalism with compassion’, Duncan Lewis Solicitors offers a deep bench of experts on legal aid housing law services, serving as a key port of call for social tenants in complex and critical matters. Manjinder Kaur Atwal heads the team and litigates possession claims and eviction matters, landlord and tenant disputes, and homelessness cases. ‘An extremely dedicated, competent and tenacious litigator’, Dianne Cowie  represents clients in possession proceedings and homelessness appeals, while the ‘very competent and responsive’ Bernadette Chikwe acts for clients across possession proceedings, homelessness cases, and allegations of antisocial behaviour.

The ‘solution-driven’ affordable housing team at Foot Anstey is highly sought-after among housing associations and social housing developers for commercially focused advice on development and transactional mandates. Lara Borrett-Lynch heads the team and acts for housing associations on land acquisitions, development agreements, and the sale of affordable housing stock. An expert in navigating the legal challenges posed by complex sites, Georgina Massey acts for leading regional housing associations and residential developers on planning matters and land and build acquisitions.

The ‘professional, efficient, and knowledgeable’ social housing group at Perrin Myddelton boasts a deep bench of experts on complex and impactful transactions and disputes. Jonathan Jennings leads the social housing team in property and development matters and stands out for his ‘good and fair advice’ to registered care providers on high-value affordable housing acquisitions and development matters. Managing partner Fred Perrin is a longstanding expert on commercial and strategic issues impacting major clients within the sector. Simon Braun heads the housing department and is a key contact on sensitive housing matters, including anti-social behaviour and homelessness issues.

The housing practice at Judge & Priestley LLP is highly regarded by clients for its ability to help navigate ‘complex and emotive’ matters. ‘A strong lawyer and leader with a keen sense for business’, Nitika Singh heads the team and assists local authorities on housing management issues including disrepair, possession, and EPA proceedings. Mark Oakley acts for public sector landlords on leasehold disputes and breach of lease matters, while Andrew Barron is a key contact on housing and leasehold management.

Pairing ‘incredible client care’ with ‘top-notch legal skills’, the housing department at Turpin & Miller LLP specialises in supporting vulnerable clients under legal aid and the housing law prevention and advice service. A ‘stand-out’ advisor, particularly with vulnerable clients, Laura Coyle heads the team and acts for clients in complex homelessness cases, anti-social behaviour proceedings, and possession proceedings.