Cornerstone Barristers

Public law; social hosuing; property

Michael is widely recognised as a leading housing and property practitioner. He deals with homelessness, unlawful evictions and disrepair. His recent cases include:

Supreme Court

MWB v Rock [2018] UKSC 24 - Commercial licence for serviced offices. Non-oral variation clauses binding on parties; MM v Secretary of State for Justice [2018] (26 July 2018 - decision pending) – what conditions can a Tribunal impose when discharging a restricted patient from mental hospital. Loveridge v Lambeth LBC [2014] UKSC 65 -  application of s.27/28 Housing Act 1988 statutory damages for unlawful eviction of secure tenant

Court of Appeal

Davis v Watford BC [2018] EWCA Civ 529 - correct court to seek interim relief following a non-completion s.204 appeal; Wood v Hull City Council [2017] EWCA Civ 364 - HMOs when to serve improvement notices on more than one property owner. Wodzicki v Wodzicki [2017] EWCA Civ 95 - beneficial interest in family property - constructive trust extends beyond partners - and interest is to be determined after an accounting exercise; K v Hospital Managers of the Kingswood Centre and others [2014] EWCA Civ 1332 considered how a discharge order from a nearest relative can be delivered to the hospital manager; TW v Enfield LBC [2014] EWCA Civ 362 in what circumstances can a AMHP dispense with consultation with the nearest relative prior to detention under the Mental Health Act 1983; Henley v Bloom [2010] EWCA Civ 202 - when a fresh disrepair claim following settled possession will and will not be an abuse of process.

High Court, Upper Tribunal and Court of Protection

Enfield LBC v Matrix Deputies Ltd [2018] EWCOP 22 – guidance on the bond call-in procedure for Deputies; Hackney LBC v Twersky (2018) UT CH/3538/2016 – Housing Benefit overpayment of more than £250,000 on basis claimant was beneficial owner of property company; Sanderson v Valuation Tribunal [2018] EWHC (Admin) - council tax liability where property HMO; Public Guardian v Matrix Deputies [2017] EWCOP 14 - Acted for Ealing LBC, new professional deputies and estates where Matrix Deputies Ltd have been removed as Deputy from over 50 cases following a number of breaches; Khan v Feltham Magistrates Court [2017] EWHC 3042 (Admin) - recoverability of litigation costs where liability orders challenged; Rashid v Rashid [2017] UKUT 0332 (TCC) - adverse possession does not despite obtaining paper title unlawfully; Amin v Barking Central Management Company Ltd  [2017] UKUT 232 (LC) - determination of extent of service charge clauses.

He was called in 1995.

Property Bar Association (PBA); Social Housing Law Association (SHLA); Planning and Environmental Bar Association (PEBA); Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA).