Kelvin Rutledge KC

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Kelvin Rutledge KC is a specialist in local government law with a nationwide client base. His practice covers most areas of local authority responsibilities but he is especially well known for his experience and expertise in the fields of housing and social care. He is a highly accomplished advocate with multiple appearances in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. In addition to appellate work, Kelvin undertakes judicial review cases, civil trials, inquests and public inquiries. He is also a highly experienced and knowledgeable property lawyer.

Kelvin provides advocacy, advisory and drafting services in relation to a wide range of topics including, in the last two years, homelessness and housing allocation schemes, care home contracts, children’s services, housing finance, road traffic management schemes, land appropriation, public procurement, leaseholder’s rights, ombudsman’s complaints, ordinary residence disputes and equality duties. Kelvin regularly provides assistance to authorities on matters of policy and public governance. He also appears and advises in related areas of European, human rights and private law.

Common themes running through the directory entries are that Kelvin is a highly knowledgeable and technically-adept lawyer; a tenacious advocate with a friendly and accessible manner, and that clients enjoy working with him. He has a strong work ethic and can be relied upon to meet deadlines.

Kelvin has appeared in some of the leading cases in his field including Croydon LBC v Kalonga [2022] (Supreme Court, flexible tenancies); R(Gullu) v Hillingdon LBC [2019] (Court of Appeal, housing allocations schemes); Hackney LBC v Haque [2017] (Court of Appeal, public sector equality duty); Hotak v Southwark LBC [2015] (Supreme Court, homelessness vulnerability); Temur v Hackney LBC [2014] (Court of Appeal, homelessness reviews); McDonald v RB Kensington & Chelsea [2011] (Supreme Court, adult social care duties; resources); Hounslow LBC v Powell [2011] (Supreme Court, possession proceedings and human rights) and M v Slough BC [2008] (House of Lords, adult social care, definition of ‘care and attention’).

Expertise

Public Law and Judicial Review
Kelvin has substantial experience and tactical knowledge and expertise of judicial review, especially defence work. In particular, he has considerable knowledge and experience of defending decisions to reduce public services: see, for example, R(McDonald) v Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea in the Supreme Court. Due to careful handling, many of these cases do not go to a full hearing. For homelessness duties see Elkundi v Birmingham CC/Imam v Croydon LBC [2022]; for traffic management schemes see HHRC v Hackney LBC [2021]; for children’s services see R(AK) v Islington LBC [2021]; for civil restraint orders see Islington LBC v Adelaja [2019]; for public spaces protection orders see Summers v Richmond upon Thames LBC [2018]; for ordinary residence disputes see R(Barking & Dagenham LBC) v SSH [2017] and R(Kent CC) v SSH [2015]; for care homes see Menon v Herefordshire Council [2016]; for selective licensing schemes see R(Regas) v Enfield LBC [2014]; for age assessments see R(SO) v Barking & Dagenham LBC [2014]; for land appropriation see R(Maries) v Merton LBC [2015]; for foster carers see R(X) v Tower Hamlets LBC [2013] and for European law see Konodyba v Kensington & Chelsea RBC [2012]. For disputes concerning the interplay between local government and health services see R(LB Greenwich) v Secretary of State for Health [2006]; for claimant work see R (Structadene) v LB Hackney (2001); for factually sensitive cases see R(M) v LB Hackney [2009] EWHC 2255 (Admin) (successfully defended local authority’s decision not to rehouse a convicted paedophile); for politically sensitive cases see R(Beale) v LB Camden [2004] (the “Camden ALMO case”) and Swords v Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government [2007] EWCA Civ 795 (both high profile challenges to council housing stock transfers).
Housing
Chambers & Partners recognises that Kelvin has a formidable reputation in the social housing sector describing him as an “exceptional” practitioner who “leaves no stone unturned in his preparation”. His thorough and detailed approach is complemented by a “wonderfully accessible and friendly manner”, which naturally means he is “adored by clients”. The Legal 500 describes him as an “outstanding housing lawyer” and a “leading expert in the field”.

Kelvin’s recent housing cases include Croydon LBC v Kolonga [2022] (Supreme Court, flexible tenancies); Biden v Waverley BC [2022] (Court of Appeal, homelessness enquiries and equality duties); Elkundi v Birmingham CC / Imam v Croydon LBC [2022] (Court of Appeal, homelessness duty and mandatory relief); R(Gullu) v Hillingdon LBC [2019] (Court of Appeal, allocation schemes); Hackney LBC v Haque [2017] (Court of Appeal, equality duties); Temur v Hackney LBC [2014] (Court of Appeal, homelessness reviews), and Hotak v Southward LBC [2014] (Supreme Court, homelessness, definition of vulnerability).
Health and Social Care
One of Kelvin’s greatest strengths is his cross-over knowledge and experience between different areas of local government law, especially between housing, adult social care, children’s services, mental health and educational services. His law-changing cases in the adult social care sphere include M v Slough BC [2009] (House of Lords, definition of ‘care and attention’) and McDonald v Kensington & Chelsea RBC [2011] (Supreme Court, care assessments and human rights). Kelvin is often instructed on major strategic matters such as budget setting and formulation of policy and procedure, as well as commercially and reputationally sensitive cases.
- Cornerstone Housing Day 2015 – Presentations01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Housing Newsletter – October 201501 Jan 2018

Kelvin’s knowledge of housing and homelessness is unparalleled...he is widely regarded as a leading expert in this field, for good reason.
Legal 500 (2025)

Kelvin is an exceptional silk.
Legal 500 (2024)

Kelvin is extremely experienced and innovative. I use him on all complex cases.
Chambers UK Bar (2023)

No one knows the legislation better than Kelvin, he knows every provision.
Chambers UK Bar (2022)

A very impressive barrister.
Chambers UK Bar (2022)

Kelvin is the alchemist of legal complexity and dedication.
Legal 500 (2022)

About Kelvin

Directory quotes
- Social Housing – “Kelvin’s knowledge of housing and homelessness is unparalleled. His knowledge of the law as it stands, and its development and evolution over time is exceptional, and he is widely regarded as a leading expert in this field, for good reason. He understands clients, the risks and challenges they face, and provides practical advice that meets their needs. His analysis of the law, and his written submissions are exceptional.” Legal 500 2025
- Local Government – “He has careful regard to clients’ strategic needs and resource pressures. His analysis of the issues, strategy and written pleadings have been simply excellent.” “He is always helpful and prompt in his responses and very knowledgeable.” Chambers and Partners 2024
- Social Housing – “Kelvin is an exceptional silk”. Legal 500 2024
- Social Housing – “Kelvin is extremely experienced and innovative. I use him on all complex cases.” Chambers and Partners 2023
- Social Housing – “A leading silk in the housing field.” Legal 500 2023
- Local Government – “Kelvin is the alchemist of legal complexity and dedication – his ability to condense globalised legal complexities into entirely digestible and persuasive nutrition for judges is exquisite.” Legal 500 2023
- Social Housing – “No one knows the legislation better than Kelvin, he knows every provision.” Chambers and Partners 2022
- Local Government – “A very impressive barrister.” Chambers and Partners 2022
- Community Care – “A hugely experienced local authority advocate.” Chambers and Partners 2022
- Kelvin is ranked in Court of Protection and Community Care and Social Housing with Legal 500.
- Local Government – “Kelvin is the alchemist of legal complexity and dedication – his ability to condense globalised legal complexities into entirely digestible and persuasive nutrition for judges is exquisite.” Legal 500 2022
- Social Housing “Highly experienced silk with a particular focus on matters concerning local government. He offers respected expertise in a range of cases, such as those involving homelessness allocation schemes and outer borough placements. He also makes frequent appearances before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Rutledge complements his housing expertise with an impressive community care practice, and is able to act in a range of cases where the two spheres intersect. He also regularly provides counsel to local authority clients on issues of policy. Strengths: “A very fair and thorough advocate.” “A real specialist who deals with difficult cases.” Chambers and Partners 2021
- Community Care “Leading silk with a broad community care practice, who is most active representing local authorities. He has appeared at the highest levels of the judicial system including at the Supreme Court and House of Lords. Strengths: “Extremely knowledgeable and very thorough.”Chambers and Partners 2021
- “Has a good eye for detail.” Legal 500 2021
- “He is very knowledgeable about his subject matter and he always performs.” Chambers and Partners 2020
- “He’s a very nice opponent and has very good judgement.” Chambers and Partners 2020
- “He has a particular expertise in homelessness law and is, deservedly, a go-to silk for local housing authorities nationwide.” The Legal 500 2020
- “Great on the case detail.” The Legal 500 2020
- “Always extremely fair and very well prepared.” “He absolutely knows housing law inside out.” Chambers and Partners 2019
- “Kelvin has an encyclopaedic and enviable knowledge of housing law and its inter-relation with other areas of law, including community care and the Court of Protection. These qualities make him an excellent housing lawyer. He is equally an experienced, authoritative and persuasive advocate.” Legal 500 2021
- “A very competent silk.” “A go-to for government and local authorities.” Chambers and Partners 2019
- “He is forensic in his legal approach, yet makes it seem so simple.” The Legal 500 2018
- “Generous with his time and encyclopaedic in his knowledge of housing law through the ages.” The Legal 500 2018
- “He’s a die-hard defender in local authority cases, and a solid silk who has lots of public authorities seeking him out.” Chambers & Partners 2018
- “Blown away by him, one of the most tenacious advocates around.” Chambers & Partners 2017
- “A tactical opponent who goes in quite hard but also takes a fair and balanced view.” Chambers & Partners 2017
- “A tough and excellent advocate, who is easy to work with as part of a team.” Legal 500 2016
- “He’s a very succinct advocate who is dogged in his determination.” Chambers & Partners 2016
- “He should be singled out for his knowledge of eligibility issues and matters related to EU law.” Chambers & Partners 2016
- “Very knowledgeable on all aspects of homelessness law.” Legal 500 2015
Services

Kelvin is a well-known speaker at both national and regional conferences and training programmes on topics relating to his fields of specialism.
Associations

Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA)
Publications
Notable Cases
Events