Edward Sharp

Housing, Discrimination & Property Disputes

Edward became a Partner in May 2024, and has been working in Housing law since 2010. His legal knowledge is wide-ranging and he has eclectic experience across the housing law spectrum, and in the related areas of Discrimination law and Property Disputes. He acts in complex defended possession / injunction proceedings, often in the context of mental health disability; disrepair, fitness for human habitation and statutory nuisance cases; homelessness appeals / judicial review challenges against local authorities; as well as discrimination claims and property disputes.  He has experience conducting cases in the County Court, the High Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court, as well as in the Magistrates Court, the Upper Tribunal, and in various forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Edward’s work has included numerous significant and complex cases in these areas.  Highlights include the recent case of Campbell, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Ealing [2024] EWCA Civ 540, currently awaiting permission to proceed in the Supreme Court, a case of wide public importance about the meaning of Section 23 Care Act 2014 which will determine the scope of whether and when social services can provide housing assistance to UK citizens; the case of Rosebery Housing Association v Williams & Anor [2021] EW Misc 22 (CC), which was the first successful disability discrimination claim to be reported on in the context of a Housing case; and Kannan v London Borough of Newham [2019] EWCA Civ 57 in which Edward acted for the successful appellant to the Court of Appeal, a case about how local authority homelessness decisions should be approached where an applicant has a disability.

Outside the context of the court room, Edward’s meticulous, tireless and nuanced approach results very regularly in justice for his clients through successfully negotiated outcomes, variously in the form of possession proceedings fended off, unfair decisions quashed, substantial compensation awards obtained, and works carried out.  He has worked regularly on the instruction of the Official Solicitor for clients who lack capacity, and he is passionately committed to access to justice.  In addition to his case-work, Edward has worked closely with housing charities, providing homelessness training seminars and regular ad hoc advice on cases.