Called 2002

Housing 

Vilma is a recognised specialist in Housing Law in the North East and across the North, with a client base that includes most major housing associations and local authorities. She also acts for tenants and private landlords in housing related matters.

Vilma’s housing practice is varied including:

possession claims Anti-Social Behaviour injunctions against both adults and minors Closure Orders succession claims right to buy homelessness allocation unlawful eviction disrepair tenancy fraud assignment committals

In relation to possession claims, Vilma has a particular specialism in cases involving discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, public law defences (including human rights) and capacity issues.

In addition to this, Vilma has extensive experience in dealing with matters in the First-Tier Tribunal in relation to appeals against Civil Penalty Notices, Improvement and Prohibition Notices, and other enforcement measures under the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016. She also deals with claims arising out of the Land Compensation Act 1973.

Where housing matters give rise to judicial review challenges or appeals to the Administrative Court, Vilma has been able to provide her clients with representation in these areas too.

Business & Property

Vilma regularly appears in the Business and Property Courts in the North East dealing with the following:

contractual disputes business tenancies landlord and tenant (commercial and residential) covenants and easements rights of way boundary disputes nuisance trespass real property matters Personal Injury

Vilma’s personal injury practice is solely centered on high-value multi-track cases arising out of road traffic accidents, accidents at work, public and occupier’s liability. She also specialises in industrial injuries and fatal accidents. She acts equally for Claimants and Defendants and is happy to accept work on a CFA basis.

Over the years, Vilma has gained a wealth of experience in dealing with complex medical conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic regional pain syndrome, spinal and brain injuries, as well as injuries arising out of asbestos exposure. Vilma regularly advises in conference with clients on the best settlement proposals, deals with medical experts and complex causation issues, as well as drafting clear and concise Schedules of Loss, and ultimately provides representation at Court.

Vilma also has experience in dealing with CICA claims.

APPOINTMENTS 2021 - appointed as a Deputy District Judge on the North Eastern Circuit. 2019 - appointed to the First-Tier Tribunal as a Fee-paid Tribunal Judge, deployed to the Social Entitlement Chamber. LECTURES & SEMINARS

Vilma regularly lectures to solicitors and other professionals on all aspects of her practise areas. She provides, on request, tailored in-house seminars. Most recently, she provided a local authority team with bespoke training on the First-Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) hearing of appeals concerning Improvement Notices and Civil Penalty Notices.

EDUCATION & AWARDS University of Leeds LLB Law Mars-Jones Award, Gray’s Inn Start Cunningham Macaskie KC Award, Gray’s Inn Prince of Wales Scholarship, Gray’s Inn ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Vilma is Direct Access registered and happy to accept instructions from the public.