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 Conveyancing (domaine de droit rattaché pour Social welfare and housing)
Bestin Joseph
London E18 1JL
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
20 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Bestin Joseph is a highly skilled and experienced lawyer based in London, specializing in Immigration, Conveyancing, and Business and Human Rights. With over 20 years of practice, Bestin is dedicated to providing efficient, stress-free solutions for his clients,...
Ian Hay
London SW18 1GN
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
40 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Ian Hay is a highly experienced solicitor based in London, with over 40 years in the legal profession, specializing in property law. As a founding partner of Murray Hay, Ian has dedicated more than three decades to managing...
Dean Smith
Cardiff CF24 5PJ
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Cardiff
11 years of experience
Accepts legal aid in Social welfare and housing
Dean Smith is a highly skilled solicitor based in Cardiff with 11 years of experience, specialising in criminal law, employment law, litigation, dispute resolution, conveyancing, consumer rights, and commercial law. His diverse legal practice encompasses complex matters such...
Vince Adon
London EC4A 2AB
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
7 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Vince Adon is a London-based lawyer with seven years of experience, specializing in a diverse range of legal areas, including education, employment, family law, divorce, mediation, immigration, litigation, bankruptcy, conveyancing, and consumer rights. With a strong academic background,...
Mark Cairns
Derbyshire DE55 7DD
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Derbyshire
41 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
With 41 years of experience, Mark Cairns is a seasoned solicitor specializing in residential and commercial conveyancing, wills, trusts, estates, and neighbour disputes. Having joined Rickards & Cleaver in 1986 and later becoming a Partner, he has a...
