Osbornes

Housing and Social Care

Partner

Ranked in Chambers and Partners 2021 with the following review: “He goes the extra mile for his clients.” “He is an excellent lawyer with exceptional attention to detail. He leaves no stone unturned in finding the right solution for his clients.”

Recognised as a “key figure” in the Legal 500 directory, in years 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Winner in the Children’s Rights category at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards 2019.

Edward is dedicated to acting for disadvantaged individuals. He adopts a client-focused approach and prides himself on making a real difference to people’s lives.

Edward has developed a niche practice acting for unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors whose ages are disputed by Social Services and/or the Home Office. He acted in the significant Judicial Review case of R(AS) v Kent CC [2017] UKUT 446 (establishing the unreliability of dental age assessments), and has since been recognised as a leading practitioner in the area.

Edward has considerable High Court experience and has also conducted appeals to the Court of Appeal, including the recent judgment in Troy Guiste v Lambeth LBC [2019] EWCA Civ 1758, which concerned the vulnerability test in homelessness cases, and in particular successfully challenged local authority use of ‘NowMedical’ opinions from doctors summarily reporting without even examining the homeless individual.

Edward has also achieved success in complex disrepair, possession, community care, harassment and unlawful eviction cases. Edward has gained a reputation of being a force to be reckoned with and is relentless in his pursuit of suitable housing and support for his clients.

Edward regularly represents clients with mental health difficulties and has experience working alongside the Official Solicitor and Public Trustee. He also often represents clients facing the loss of their homes at the Clerkenwell & Shoreditch County Court duty desk scheme.

Edward is frequently invited to speak at conferences and assists the careers team at the University of Law, by speaking at panel events.

In his spare time, Edward enjoys camping and travelling, if he can drag himself away from his cases!

In his spare time, Edward enjoys camping and being outdoors as much as possible, if he can drag himself away from his cases!