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)
Dr. Donald Macfarlane
London EC4V 5EF
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
22 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Dr. Macfarlane represents all sizes of business covering all their corporate and commercial needs. Whether it is contract reviews or an acquisition of or for your business. As a trusted adviser he brings experience, technical, governance and compliance...
Sophie DONOVAN
West Midlands DY14 9HZ
Social welfare and housing Solicitor West Midlands
12 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Sophie Donovan is an experienced solicitor based in the West Midlands, specializing in a wide range of legal areas, including family law, Wills and probate, debt recovery, and residential conveyancing. With 12 years of experience in the legal...
Michael MCLEAN
Glasgow G2 2DH
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Glasgow
Does not accept legal aid
I am a partner within the Jones Whyte's Litigators and a law society accredited specialist in personal injury. A Lanarkshire man, I graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2005 before undertaking the postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice...
Simon Terry
Amersham HP6 6FA
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Amersham
27 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Having started my career in the Commercial Litigation department of one of the larger firms in the City of London I have spent the last 20+ years working both in private practice and in-house, gaining valuable experience of...
Joe Phelan
London W10 5AD
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
13 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
With 13 years of experience, Joe Phelan is a specialist in commercial property law, advising clients on the legal aspects of buying, selling, leasing, and re-financing commercial properties. Having worked with some of the largest law firms in...
