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)
Lawlex Solicitors
London EC3V 4AB
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
8 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Lawlex Solicitors is a London-based law firm led by a highly qualified solicitor with eight years of experience in immigration law and dispute resolution. Fluent in English, Georgian, and Russian, the firm provides expert legal services to a...
Najib Khan
Hatfield AL9 5HZ
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Hatfield
18 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Najib Khan is an independent lawyer based in Hatfield, with over 18 years of experience in immigration litigation, dispute resolution, civil litigation, conveyancing, and various other legal areas. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Urdu, Najib offers a comprehensive...
James Tomkins
London NW10 4UA
Social welfare and housing Solicitor London
32 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
James Tomkins is a highly experienced litigation and dispute resolution lawyer based in London, with 32 years of expertise in civil, commercial, and employment law. He is a Director at Hodders Law Limited and leads the firm's Litigation...
Giselle BROWN
Leeds LS1 3HB
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Leeds
8 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
Giselle Brown is the founder of GDB Legal, a boutique immigration firm providing personalised service at an affordable price. The firm specialises in helping individuals and families, as well as corporations, obtain UK visas and permits. With 17...
David Smith
Birmingham B14 7DY
Social welfare and housing Solicitor Birmingham
11 years of experience
Does not accept legal aid
I joined Glover Priest in May 2019 having previously spent several years working as a family solicitor for Legal 500-ranked regional firms. I have a wealth of experience as a solicitor and deal with the full range of...