England - London • Real estate
Clarke Willmott LLP
The social housing practice at Clarke Willmott LLP, led by Vicky Kells and Lindsay Felstead, acts for significant London-based registered providers, having won both appointments and reappointments to several panels in 2022. The firm is involved in active areas within the sector, advising on biodiversity net gain, the rollout of electric vehicle charging points, and fire safety litigation. Kate Silverman leads on regeneration, property, and development-related matters, and the team is handling an increasing number of acquisition and regeneration projects.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Great team ethic and they work really hard for the social housing clients.'
‘They have the experience and history of working with lenders' solicitors and know what they prefer.’
‘Vicky Kells always updates us, keeps matters transparent, and there is always someone available.’
'The team are very responsive and helpful. This is a practice I would approach when I need something looked at a bit differently, from a different angle. The team are also very well connected.'
'They bring experience from other situations, and are well placed to connect clients up where there is a mutual benefit.'
'Kary Withers brings her calm but considered expertise to every scenario. She has an ability to quickly apply logic to different scenarios. This I believe comes from her breadth and depth of experience and industry wide network.'
'Clarke Willmott have a good understanding of the issues facing social landlords in managing claims for possession across different categories.'
'The practice is excellent at maintaining open communication with me as client, providing sound advice, not seeking to say what I would like to hear or to please me, and keeping an eye on details and providing helpful feedback.'
Key clients
- Peabody Trust
- Clarion Housing Group
- Metropolitan Thames Valley
- Southern Housing Group
- London & Quadrant Housing Trust
- One Housing Group Limited
- BPHA
- Sovereign
- Silva Homes
- Guinness Partnership
Work highlights
- Advised L&Q Group on negotiating a bespoke works agreement in relation to gas safety upgrade works with the ultimate landlord and freeholder, which involved a detailed review and negotiation of the underlying building contract, together with drafting provisions in the works agreement to cover access, defects, and delay.
- Advised One Housing Group Limited on the highly intricate Granville Road regeneration scheme involving infill development between council tower blocks, dealing with the phased acquisition of the affordable housing as well as the subsequent transfer of the long-term management of the estate to the client.
- Acted for Lewisham Homesin defending a judicial review claim with costs sought, and since instigated possession proceedings after a tenant passed away and the tenant's son submitted an unsuccessful succession claim.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Lindsay Felstead, Vicky Kells