Housing
Robert advises and acts on behalf of both landlords and tenants on all aspects of housing law, including possession claims, injunctions to restrain anti-social behaviour, disrepair, harassment, unlawful eviction and homelessness. He has gained particular experience of the preparation and trial of possession claims.
Robert is familiar with all aspects of homelessness law, having represented both appellants and authorities on Housing Act 1996, s.204 appeals, as well as acting in judicial review claims. He was junior counsel (led by Andrew Arden QC) in Haile v Waltham Forest LBC [2015] UKSC 34; [2015] AC 1471; [2015] HLR 24. He was seconded to the legal team of a London local authority to assist with homelessness litigation for several years. He has also acted in allocations cases, such as R (Alansi) v Newham LBC [2014] EWCA Civ 786.
Robert was instructed as second junior counsel by one of the respondent local authorities in Hounslow LBC v Powell [2011] UKSC 8; [2011] 2 AC 186; [2011] HLR 23. He was also involved as a pupil in researching and preparing for the important housing and human rights cases of Salford CC v Mullen [2010] EWCA Civ 336; [2010] HLR 35; Wilson v Harrow LBC [2010] EWHC 1574 (QB) and Manchester CC v Pinnock [2010] UKSC 45; [2011] 2 AC 104; [2011] HLR 7.
Much of Robert’s housing practice involves disputes about antisocial behaviour. He has acted for landlords and defendants in possession proceedings, applications for injunctions and committal applications. He has also been seconded to a local authority legal department as in-house counsel for anti-social behaviour cases.
Robert has provided training on powers available to local authorities to deal with social housing fraud. He has also represented local authorities and housing associations in cases of alleged housing fraud. He also has experience of issues with tenancy deposits and licensing schemes
Robert’s housing practice often involves community care issues. He has advised and acted in judicial review cases on duties under Children Act 1989.
Robert lectures and provides training on a range of housing issues. He is an editor of the Housing Law Reports, a co-author of Quiet Enjoyment: Protection from Rogue Landlords, 8th edition (LAG, 2017) and a co-author of Arden & Partington on Housing Law (Sweet & Maxwell).
Real Property
Robert has experience of a wide range of property law matters, including adverse possession, boundary disputes, mortgages, orders for sale, trusts of land, easements, and inheritance disputes.
Public Law
Robert has been involved in a number of important public law cases, including Ali v Birmingham CC [2010] UKSC 8; [2010] 2 AC 39; [2010] HLR 22; Manchester CC v Pinnock [2010] UKSC 45; [2011] 2 AC 104; [2011] HLR 7; Hounslow LBC v Powell [2011] UKSC 8; [2011] 2 AC 186; [2011] HLR 23; R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496; Haile v Waltham Forest LBC [2015] UKSC 34; [2015] AC 1471; [2015] HLR 24.
He has also worked on a complex procurement dispute and advised in relation to state aid.
He has lectured on judicial review and the Equality Act 2010 and is a co-author of Judicial Review Proceedings: A Practitioner’s Guide, 3rd edition (LAG, 2013).
Local Government
Robert has acted for and advised local authorities in cases involving a wide range of issues, including procurement, state aid, data protection, freedom of information, and constitutional arrangements.
Residential and Commercial Landlord & Tenant
Robert regularly acts for and advises private landlords and tenants. He has acted in complex forfeiture cases and has also advised in relation to business tenancies.
He has appeared in the FTT(PC) and LVT in cases concerning enfranchisement, the right to manage, service charges, consultation requirements, variation of leases and the appointment of a manager. He also regularly advises on these matters and provides training on a wide range of leasehold issues.
Public Access
Robert accepts instructions on a Public Access basis in appropriate cases.
