England - South East • Real estate
Capsticks LLP
Covering all elements of housing management and development, the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Winchester-based team at Capsticks LLP specialises heavily in complex section 106 agreement schemes and leasehold litigation. Leading on the housing management side, Michael Owen delivers an ’excellent quality of service’ to landlords on succession disputes and anti-social behaviour cases. Spencer Vella Sultana heads up the regeneration offering, with expertise in the preparation of new bids on proposed schemes and ventures. Suzanne Smith is an expert in handling residential and commercial planning applications, and legal director Mike Regan has over 25 years’ experience advising across real estate issues. Principal associate Sarah Christy is knowledgeable on obtaining civil injunctions. Charlotte Rawson rounds out the list of recommended team members.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A strong team with many pairs of safe hands means that work is turned around quickly, competently and efficiently. Experts in the field who know exactly what they are doing and how to achieve the best outcome for their clients, whether you are dealing with a paralegal, a partner or everyone in between.’
‘Sarah Christy is a joy to work with. Her experience means that she knows exactly what to ask for from her clients in a timely manner and to navigate difficult cases through to excellent resolutions.'
'Charlotte Rawson is calm and collected, an excellent draftsman with a very firm grip on steering difficult cases to the best outcomes.'
'Michael Owen steers the Capsticks ship admirably, and his team clearly follow his lead of intelligence, strength and humour.’
‘Michael Owen always makes sure our business interests are protected. Always guides us to make the right decisions, he’s always upfront with costs where other companies have let me down.’
‘Michael Owen - great client care, excellent quality of advice and support, great feedback from my team further to training he has delivered.'
‘The Capsticks housing management team is extremely knowledgeable with genuine sector expertise and knowledge throughout the team. They also have excellent client care skills, are responsive and very much part of the process. They seek at all times to partner with us and build longstanding trusted relationships.’
‘The team are all very approachable, friendly, reliable and provide timely and approachable legal advice and assistance. Importantly, they provide good value for money. There are no weak links. Certainly a formidable team.’
Key clients
- Ocean Housing
- Sandbourne Housing
- Vivid Housing Limited
- Aster Group
- Westward Housing
- The Guinness Partnership Limited
- Raven Housing Trust
- Paragon Asra Housing Limited
- Teign Housing
- Selwood Housing Group
Work highlights
- Advised Guinness on a suspected social housing fraud matter.
- Assisted Sovereign with obtaining a youth injunction.
- Successfully represented Aster in opposition to an incorrect claim for council tax payments relating to any-day tenancy properties.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Experience Michael is head of the Housing Management Team at Capsticks. In addition to leading the team, Michael works with Registered Providers and Councils nationally on all aspects of Housing Management. He also previously advised private landlords and tenants. Expertise Michael advises social landlords on all aspects of housing management from drafting and interpreting tenancy agreements, policies and other documentation to advising on complex succession disputes, disrepair matters and high-profile anti-social behaviour cases. He represents clients on Public Law, Equality Act and Human Rights Act challenges and advises on complaints handling. He has also represented clients at coroner’s inquests and frequently oversees multi-agency approaches to resolve matters including through alternative dispute resolution.Michael undertakes training nationally for clients and sector leaders such as the Chartered Institute of Housing, Resolve, National Housing Federation, Housemark, Lime Legal and Capita. He is also a regular contributor to housing media. Notable projects Regularly speaks at and chairs national housing conferences Legal advisor to the CIH knowledge hub Asked by the Home Office to help stress test the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 Represented Registered Providers on many leading cases
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Michael Owen, Spencer Vella Sultana