Andrew Lane

Call: 1999

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Andy’s practice focuses on social housing, local government and public law, and he works primarily for local authorities and housing associations.

Before coming to the Bar, Andy spent over 10 years working in the statutory and voluntary sector in the field of housing, debt and benefits advice. He also had a spell as a local authority councillor, and held a number of portfolios during that time, including Chair of the Housing Committee. This background has meant that Andy is very approachable, comfortable in a variety of settings and able to articulate his advice and case in a manner that is both attractive and compelling.

Though Andy has extensive experience in matters ranging from housing possession and injunction trials, homelessness appeals, judicial review claims and Upper Tribunal age assessment challenges through to appellate advocacy in the higher courts, clients have also increasingly instructed him to advise on policy matters, compliance with statutory duties questions, tenancy agreement revisions and the impact of and fall-out from primary and secondary legislation, and government direction.

The legal directories have consistently recognised Andy as one of the leading practitioners at the Bar in the Social Housing field by placing him in the top-ranking category:

‘Andrew provides good, strong advice and speaks in a way clients understand easily.’ (Legal 500, 2022)

‘Fiercely intelligent, a formidable opponent, yet friendly, down to earth and approachable.’ (Legal 500, 2021)

‘His knowledge is exceptional, and his advocacy and written services have been consistently at a very high standard.’ (Chambers and Partners, 2021)

He is also ranked in the Legal 500 2022 Local Government field.

He is the author of Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud and has set up a blog to encourage the free flow of information on this topic.

His recent appearances in the higher courts include Hertfordshire County Council v Davies [2020] EWHC 838 (QB), R (Z and anor) v Hackney LBC and anor [2020] 1 W.L.R. 4327, Stanley v Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council [2021] H.L.R 12, R(LYB) v Kent County Council [2021] EWHC 663 (Admin), Clarion Housing Association Ltd v Carter [2022] H.L.R. 10, Metropolitan Housing Trust Ltd v TM [2022] 1 W.L.R. 2161, R(SO) v Thanet District Council [2022] EWHC 1731 (Admin) and R(ZK) v Havering LBC [2022] EWHC 1854 (Admin).

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