"A distinguished record in the social housing sector"
(Chambers and Partners)
“one of the strongest teams of juniors in this sector”
(Chambers and Partners)
Cornerstone is recognised as having one of the bar’s leading housing teams. Chambers and Partners ranks it in the top band and describes how ‘it continues its rise to prominence in the social housing sector.’ In particular the directory notes how:
• ‘Individuals are pragmatic and understand both the client's perspective and the day-to-day issues solicitors have to contend with’
• Its housing members are ‘very much team players, they really get involved with their cases’
• The team is ‘consistently praised for the strength and depth of its juniors’
• Members treat their ‘clients very well’
• ‘there is no side to any of the members there, and they are all free of pomposity’
• Its ‘clerks are noted for being affable, approachable and efficient’
The housing team has continued ‘its rise to prominence’ by recruiting some of the bar’s best housing specialists. Since 2006 Cornerstone has recruited Bryan McGuire QC, Kuljit Bhogal, Sian Davies, Jon Holbrook, Matt Hutchings, Catherine Rowlands and Kelvin Rutledge. These new members joined a team that already included established housing practitioners such as Ranjit Bhose QC, James Findlay QC, Wayne Beglan, Rory Clarke and David Lintott.
The team is also ‘consistently praised for the strength and depth of its juniors’. Cornerstone makes a determined effort to recruit the best and brightest juniors and to train them thoroughly during pupillage.
The Cornerstone housing team offers the full range of services but is particularly known for its work with local authorities and housing associations. Members were instrumental in setting up the Social Housing Law Association (SHLA), an organisation they continue to support.