About Andrew

• Directory Quotes
  • Social Housing – “Andy Lane remains an outstanding barrister and a wonderful person.” Chambers and Partners 2023
  • Social Housing – “Andrew provides good, strong advice and speaks in a way clients understand easily.” Legal 500 2023
  • Social Housing – “Andrew Lane is a talented advocate who is praised for his unwaveringly dedicated approach, regardless of whether he is handling high-profile cases in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court or more routine County Court possession claims. His practice encompasses all areas of social housing law, including welfare reform, housing fraud and advisory work for registered providers. He is further known for his strength in handling disrepair claims. Lane also has a growing policy practice and is able to assist housing associations draft allocation and rent reduction schemes.” Strengths: “He is simply outstanding.” “He has an amazing ability to remember facts and he is hugely confident in court in a way that keeps the judges really happy.” “He has a fantastic brain and an encyclopedic knowledge of housing. He’s great with clients and makes complicated matters straightforward. He is one of the best social housing barristers out there.”
    Recent work: Represented Hackney London Borough Council in a challenge to the decision of Agudas Israel Housing Association to only allow allocations (via Hackney’s allocation scheme) of Agudas’s available properties to Orthodox Jewish households. The Supreme Court held this did not constitute unlawful discrimination. Chambers and Partners 2022
  • Social Housing – “Andy always gives direct and realistic advice and is excellent in cross-examination and putting submissions clearly and precisely.” Legal 500 2022
  • Social Housing – “Talented advocate who is praised for his unwaveringly dedicated approach, regardless of whether he is handling high-profile cases in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court or more routine County Court possession claims. His practice encompasses all areas of social housing law, including welfare reform, housing fraud and advisory work for registered providers. He is further known for his strength in handling disrepair claims. Lane also has a growing policy practice and is able to assist housing associations draft allocation and rent reduction schemes. Strengths: “His knowledge is exceptional, and his advocacy and written services have been consistently at a very high standard.” Chambers and Partners 2021
  • ‘Fiercely intelligent, a formidable opponent, yet friendly, down to earth and approachable.’ Legal 500 2021
  • “He really puts people at their ease and, beneath that, he is a steely market-leading expert.” “He has exceptional people skills and is a great advocate for the lay client.” Chambers and Partners 2020
  • “He only raises sensible points and is incredibly knowledgeable” Legal 500 2020
  • “He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of housing law, is very good on his feet and does an all-round fantastic job.” “A firm favourite of clients, he explains even the most complex of issues with great simplicity, putting clients at ease while realistically managing expectations.” Chambers and Partners 2019
  • “One of the most practical, down-to-earth and talented people at the Bar, he is completely unflappable and exudes confidence.” “He is really strong on housing management and leases, and has excellent client care skills.”  Chambers & Partners 2018
  • “He simplifies the law and court process and puts clients and witnesses at ease.” Legal 500 2017
  • “He’s got a very good presence in court, affable but very able.” Chambers & Partners 2017
  • “Excellent client skills and very good on his feet. He’s particularly good with vulnerable residents who require a more sensitive form of cross-examination.” Chambers & Partners 2017
  • “Without doubt, one of the best social housing juniors out there.” Legal 500 2016
  • “He has a great eye for detail.” Legal 500 2016
  • “When he’s in front of a judge, you are in awe. His management of the case and the way others defer to him is wonderful to watch. You’re always glad to have him on your side.” Chambers & Partners 2016
  • “Nobody disagrees that he’s brilliant; he always wipes the floor with the other side.” Chambers & Partners 2016
  • “Highly regarded for his expertise in tenancy fraud and nuisance actions.” Legal 500 2015
• Services

  Andy is a regular speaker at internal webinars and seminars, as well as at conferences organised by external providers, on a range of topics. Most recently he has spoken on allocation schemes, homelessness, domestic abuse and joint tenancies, and the public sector equality duty.

  He is always happy to co-tutor in-house and has long offered informal advice to clients where appropriate.

• Associations
  • Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association
  • Property Bar Association
  • Social Housing Law Association
  • Chartered Institute of Housing
• Publications
  • New deal for social housing—accountability of social housing providers17 Sep 2018
  • Grenfell Tower Inquiry update05 Dec 2017
  • Section 11 of the Children Act and orders for possession08 May 2017
  • Local authority employees, tied accommodation and Article 14 challenges15 Sep 2016
  • Fully Mutual Housing Co-operatives and Possession Claims02 Sep 2015
  • Fully mutual housing corporations and possession proceedings22 Jun 2015
  • Social Housing Fraud23 Dec 2014
• Notable Cases
  • Positive News for Positive Action16 Oct 2020
  • R (Z and anor) v Hackney LBC and anor08 Jun 2019
  • The Court of Appeal provides helpful guidance to second possession claims and set aside applications20 Mar 2019
  • High Court upholds 10 years’ residence requirement to join social housing waiting list26 Jul 2018
  • R (on the application of Martina McDonagh) v Enfield London Borough Council (2018)24 May 2018
  • Breach of s. 11 Children Act 2004 does not necessarily preclude orders for possession06 Mar 2018
  • Cornerstone Barristers to host first-ever Public Law Week12 May 2023
  • Better Late Than Never? First Reading of Renters (Reform) Bill in Parliament18 May 2023