Catherine Watkins
Cwmbran NP44 1UG
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Cwmbran
29 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Catherine Watkins is an experienced family and property lawyer based in Cwmbran & Barry and cover South wales & Bristol, with 29 years of legal expertise. Fluent in both English and Welsh, Catherine is a key member of...
What does social welfare & housing involve?
- Homelessness assistance: Applying to local authorities for housing support, challenging unsuitable temporary accommodation, or appealing a homelessness decision.
- Housing benefit and Universal Credit: Disputing eligibility or payment amounts, and navigating appeals processes if a claim is refused or reduced.
- Social housing rights: Understanding your rights as a tenant of a council or housing association, including security of tenure and succession rights.
- Disrepair and maintenance: Holding social landlords accountable for unsafe or unhealthy living conditions, and seeking compensation where necessary.
- Evictions and possession proceedings: Addressing rent arrears, anti-social behaviour allegations, and legal defences to prevent unlawful evictions.
How can a solicitor help with social welfare & housing, and what does it cost?
A specialist solicitor or housing adviser can:
- Provide advice and representation: Explaining your entitlements, filling in forms, and challenging negative decisions from councils or benefit agencies.
- Negotiate with landlords and local authorities: Seeking repairs, preventing eviction, or improving living conditions through dialogue or mediation.
- Appeal in court or tribunals: If negotiations fail, a solicitor can present your case before a judge or tribunal, ensuring legal procedures are correctly followed.
Costs vary based on the complexity of your case and whether legal aid is available. Some individuals qualify for legal aid, which can cover part or all of a solicitor’s fees in housing matters. Otherwise, rates typically range from £100–£300 per hour, though some firms may offer fixed-fee or reduced-fee arrangements for certain cases. An initial consultation—often free or at a low cost—can help you understand your options, likely expenses, and the best steps to secure safe, stable housing.
5 Solicitors (domaine de droit rattaché pour Social welfare and housing)
Stephane Gentili
London W8 7JB
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
Does not accept legal aid
Stéphane Gentili, specialist immigration solicitor for over 20 years with very high success rate of 97%. We provide tailored advice in all areas of UK immigration, asylum and nationality law for individuals, families and businesses. Our commitment to...
Sarah-Jane Riddell
East Sussex BN3 5AA
Social welfare and housing Solicitor East Sussex
32 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Sarah-Jane collaborative family lawyer and accredited mediator specialising in family law since 1993 at a range of large regional and smaller local firms; offers mediation (including MIAMs) with regard to all issues relating to both children and finances;...
Emma Wood-Philips
London W10 5AD
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
11 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
As an experienced commercial solicitor, having previously worked for 9 years at a highly successful FTSE 100 company in London as Senior Corporate Counsel, I joined Lawbite in 2018 for the opportunity to work with a variety of...
Lisa Pharaoh
Dorchester DT1 1TL
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Dorchester
Does not accept legal aid
Lisa is a Solicitor and Civil Mediation Council Registered Mediator in both Civil & Commercial Disputes and in Workplace & Employment disputes. She has practised as a solicitor for over 26 years, qualifying in 1993. Her expertise...
Steve Smith
Belfast wc2 b6nh
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Belfast
Does not accept legal aid
Steve Smith, a freelance solicitor in Belfast, specializes in commercial and business law, focusing on business bankruptcy, corporate insolvency, and business disputes. With extensive experience, Steve Smith offers comprehensive legal services in various areas, including: Business Bankruptcy: Advising businesses...
