Catherine Watkins
Cwmbran NP44 1UG
Social welfare and housing Solicitors Cwmbran
29 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Catherine Watkins is a seasoned family and property lawyer based in Cwmbran, with 29 years of experience. She speaks both English and Welsh and does not accept legal aid. As a key member of Newbold Solicitors, Catherine specialises...
What does social welfare & housing involve?
- Homelessness assistance: Applying to local authorities for housing support, challenging unsuitable temporary accommodation, or appealing a homelessness decision.
- Housing benefit and Universal Credit: Disputing eligibility or payment amounts, and navigating appeals processes if a claim is refused or reduced.
- Social housing rights: Understanding your rights as a tenant of a council or housing association, including security of tenure and succession rights.
- Disrepair and maintenance: Holding social landlords accountable for unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, and seeking compensation where necessary.
- Evictions and possession proceedings: Addressing rent arrears, anti-social behaviour allegations, and legal defences to prevent unlawful evictions.
How can a solicitor help with social welfare & housing, and what does it cost?
A specialist solicitor or housing adviser can:
- Provide advice and representation: Explaining your entitlements, filling in forms, and challenging negative decisions from councils or benefit agencies.
- Negotiate with landlords and local authorities: Seeking repairs, preventing eviction, or improving living conditions through dialogue or mediation.
- Appeal in court or tribunals: If negotiations fail, a solicitor can present your case before a judge or tribunal, ensuring legal procedures are correctly followed.
Costs vary based on the complexity of your case and whether legal aid is available. Some individuals qualify for legal aid, which can cover part or all of a solicitor’s fees in housing matters. Otherwise, rates typically range from £100–£300 per hour, though some firms may offer fixed-fee or reduced-fee arrangements for certain cases. An initial consultation—often free or at a low cost—can help you understand your options, likely expenses, and the best steps to secure safe, stable housing.
Paschal Ihebuzor
Birmingham B66 4AA
Social welfare and housing Solicitors Birmingham
18 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
With 18 years of legal experience, Paschal Ihebuzor is a dedicated lawyer providing expert guidance in employment law, family law, immigration, litigation, and judicial review. Committed to achieving the best outcomes for his clients, he approaches each case...
5 Solicitors Conveyancing (Area of expertise might be Social welfare and housing)
Karen Rieveley
London SW11 4HY
Social welfare and housing Solicitors London
33 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
I am a Director of Hodders Law Limited having trained with Hodders and then qualifying in 1992. I am also Head of the Conveyancing department at Hodders and in charge of Compliance and Complaints. I am mainly based...
Stephen Davies
Lancashire L40 0SA
Social welfare and housing Solicitors Lancashire
32 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Stephen Davies is a lawyer based in Lancashire with 32 years of experience. He specializes in mediation, litigation, civil litigation, and conveyancing, with expertise in both residential and commercial conveyancing, including transfer of equity and property matters. Stephen...
Elizabeth Middleton
Reading RG5 4AE
Social welfare and housing Solicitors Reading
4177 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Visiting a solicitor should be, welcoming and friendly experience, which is why I pride myself on offering a sympathetic, professional environment, based on listening and empathy. It’s important to me that clients have time to explain their problems...
Liz Garratt
Derbyshire DE55 7DD
Social welfare and housing Solicitors Derbyshire
18 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Liz Garratt is a qualified Private Client Solicitor with over 18 years of experience in the legal profession, specializing in wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney, and Court of Protection deputyship orders. With a deep understanding of the...
Shah Ali
London E1 2LX
Social welfare and housing Solicitors London
13 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Shah Ali is the founding Senior Partner of Waterstone Solicitors, bringing over 13 years of post-qualification experience to his practice. Specializing in a broad range of legal areas, including family law, immigration, intellectual property, bankruptcy, conveyancing, judicial review,...