Kuljit Bhogal KC has a broad practice with particular specialisms in local government, public law and judicial review, housing, and the Court of Protection. In March 2023, she was appointed King’s Counsel. Kuljit is ranked for Social Housing Law and Public Law in Chambers and Partners and for Social Housing Law in Legal 500.
In her public sector work, she acts predominantly for local authorities, housing associations and health bodies. In her private sector work, Kuljit acts for private landlords and developers.
Her local authority experience goes back over 21 years and she is able to advise on the full range of local authority functions.
She has an excellent understanding of the pressures faced by public bodies and is well able to service their needs. She is able to provide policy and strategic advice at the most senior levels.
She has extensive experience in policy and governance issues as well as in relation to individual cases and contracts.
Her recent work has ranged from governance (and other) issues relating to Public Space Protection Orders, the contracting out of local authority functions (in particular, homelessness functions) and the legality of Part VI Allocation Schemes.
Kuljit is able to provide advice quickly and efficiently and is able to provide practical solutions whilst working in partnership with her clients.
She is available and accessible to her clients on an informal basis and is able to discuss matters on the phone or in meetings, and outside of hours as required.
She is exemplary in terms of client care, trial preparation and written and oral advocacy skills.
Expertise
- Public Law and Judicial Review
Kuljit has over 21 years of experience acting for public bodies.
She has particular experience of acting for local authorities in relation to the full range of their functions and activities.
She provides clear advice and is able to draft robust Pre-Action Protocol Responses and Acknowledgments of Service. Her practical, quick and robust approach means that many threatened challenges are avoided without the need for litigation.
Kuljit finds that even when a claim is issued, a robustly drafted Acknowledgment of Service is crucial to avoiding the grant of permission for seeking judicial review.
Over the last 21 years, she had advised on numerous aspects of local authority functions and responsibilities.
Her recent work includes advising on:
- Public Space Protection Orders – she has been all of the cases to the litigated in the Court of Appeal and High Court, and settled a number of others
- Allocation schemes and the lawfulness of additional preference post the Localism Act
- The contracting out of local authority functions
- Succession policies
- Disabled facilities grants
- Council tax and housing benefit
- Housing renewal and the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) Order 2002
- Public law defences, Equality Act 2010 challenges and the Public Sector Equality Duty
- Abortion clinic “safe access zones” to take effect nationally23 Sep 2024
- High Court confirms legality of second abortion clinic “safe zone” PSPO15 Dec 2023
- Supreme Court to hear gang injunction challenge30 Jan 2023
- Community Protection Warning issued to a landlord is upheld04 May 2022
- Can you breach a no-alcohol zone in a PSPO if you are drinking orangeade?29 Jun 2020
- Community Protection Notice did not breach human rights06 May 2020
- Supreme Court refuses permission to appeal on UK’s first abortion clinic ‘buffer zone’11 Mar 2020
- Court of Appeal upholds the legality of the UK’s first ‘buffer zone’ outside an abortion clinic21 Aug 2019
- Abortion clinic buffer zone PSPO upheld by High Court02 Jul 2018
- High Court upholds Public Spaces Protection Order on multiple dog walking20 Apr 2018
- Lekpo-Bozua v London Borough of Hackney & Ors [2010] EWCA Civ 90901 Jan 2018
- London Borough of Haringey v Burgess, Haringey Magistrates Court, 2005 and Wood Green Crown Court01 Jan 2018
- Tachie (and others) v Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council [2013] EWHC 3972 (QB)01 Jan 2018
- Kuljit Bhogal KC Nominated for Lifetime Achievement Award25 Nov 2024
- Chambers UK Bar 2025: Cornerstone Barristers achieve 75 individual rankings across 15 practice areas 17 Oct 2024
- Kuljit Bhogal KC to Lead Debate at #ASB10 Conference 202426 Sep 2024
- Three new titles in the “Cornerstone On” series announced06 Aug 2024
- Kuljit Bhogal KC writes comment article for The Times on safe access zones at abortion clinics 15 Feb 2024
- Cornerstone Barristers’ Kuljit Bhogal is sworn in as a Recorder of the Crown Court14 Jun 2021
- PSPO deadline looms…22 Sep 2020
- NEW BRIEFING – Local authorities post COVID-19. All you need to know01 Jul 2020
- Video 3 – Locking down anti-social behaviour – An introduction to Public Spaces Protection Orders12 May 2020
- Video 2 – Locking down anti-social behaviour – Covid-19 and Closure Orders05 May 2020
- Video 1 – Locking down anti-social behaviour – Covid-19 and Community Protection Notices28 Apr 2020
- Birmingham school injunction was not within the ambit of the Equality Act 201002 Dec 2019
- PSPO challenge – Liberty fails to secure legal aid18 Jun 2019
- The Three Minute Brief – school protests in Birmingham and anti-social behaviour06 Jun 2019
- National buffer zones not proportionate17 Sep 2018
- Kuljit will speak at an LGA event on Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)01 Jun 2018
- Cornerstone Housing Newsletter – August 201601 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Barristers Special Edition Housing Newsletter: Housing and Planning Act 201601 Jan 2018
- Local Government Lawyer – Cornerstone on Anti-Social Behaviour – The New Law01 Jan 2018
- PSPO deadline is closer than you might think…01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter February 201701 Jan 2018
- What difference does the revised anti-social behaviour guidance make?01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Housing Newsletter – May 201601 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Housing Day 2015 – Presentations01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Barristers Housing Newsletter – July 201501 Jan 2018
- Housing
Kuljit is a leading silk in Social Housing in the current editions of the Legal 500 and Chambers UK. In her 21 years at the Bar, she has dealt with every aspect of housing law.
She provides policy and strategic advice at the most senior levels. Her housing client base consists of local authorities, housing associations, and private firms of solicitors.
She is the leading authority on Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) and has been instrumental in ensuring the orders are being used to their best effect. She has been instructed in each of the Court of Appeal and High Court challenges to PSPO including a number where she has been able to successfully conclude the litigation avoiding potentially adverse findings and publicity.
She has obtained injunctions against ‘persons unknown’ to cover activities as wide-ranging as car-cruising, fly-tipping, travellers and rough sleeping.
Kuljit provides practical and commercially sensible solutions to the problems faced by her clients. She has a collaborative approach and is happy to lead a team to meet the client’s objectives.
Her practice covers each and every aspect of Housing Law including:
- Strategy and policy
- Kuljit has advised the Mayor on his Housing Strategy for London 2012.
- Other policy advice includes allocation schemes, decant policies, the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance Order) 2002.
- Vires and governance
- Homelessness
- Management
- Right to Buy disputes
- Succession
- Subletting
- Social housing fraud, benefit fraud and the investigation and prosecution of offences
- Houses in Multiple Occupation
- Service charge disputes
- Mental Health and Equality Act 2010
Kuljit is author of Cornerstone on Anti-Social Behaviour, the second edition was published in May 2019. She is the expert on the new provisions and has advised on both policy and individual cases.
- “Premises” – What can and what cannot be closed using a Closure Order?21 Jun 2023
- Community Protection Warning issued to a landlord is upheld04 May 2022
- R (Halborg) v Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council24 Feb 2022
- Can you breach a no-alcohol zone in a PSPO if you are drinking orangeade?29 Jun 2020
- Community Protection Notice did not breach human rights06 May 2020
- High Court upholds Public Spaces Protection Order on multiple dog walking20 Apr 2018
- Lekpo-Bozua v London Borough of Hackney & Ors [2010] EWCA Civ 90901 Jan 2018
- L B Croydon v Foreman01 Jan 2018
- L B Croydon V Marney And Allen01 Jan 2018
- Welwyn Hatfield BC V Holloway01 Jan 2018
- L B Hillingdon v Ali01 Jan 2018
- Burrell, R (On The Application Of) V London Borough Of Lambeth [2006] EWHC 394 (Admin); LAG May 2006 P.3301 Jan 2018
- London Borough of Haringey v Burgess, Haringey Magistrates Court, 2005 and Wood Green Crown Court01 Jan 2018
- Fast, Furious and Fatal01 Jan 2018
- Kuljit Bhogal KC Nominated for Lifetime Achievement Award25 Nov 2024
- Chambers UK Bar 2025: Cornerstone Barristers achieve 75 individual rankings across 15 practice areas 17 Oct 2024
- Kuljit Bhogal KC to Lead Debate at #ASB10 Conference 202426 Sep 2024
- Three new titles in the “Cornerstone On” series announced06 Aug 2024
- Cornerstone Barristers retains top ranking in legal directories for Social Housing25 Oct 2023
- Cornerstone Housing Day presentation slides10 Oct 2023
- Gang and anti-social behaviour injunctions: Supreme Court confirms the standard of proof to be applied19 Jul 2023
- Cornerstone Housing Newsletter – June 202327 Jun 2023
- Cornerstone Barristers’ Sarah Salmon and Kuljit Bhogal speak at SHLA Virtual Annual Conference 202116 Nov 2021
- Cornerstone Barristers’ Kuljit Bhogal is sworn in as a Recorder of the Crown Court14 Jun 2021
- PSPO deadline looms…22 Sep 2020
- NEW BRIEFING – Local authorities post COVID-19. All you need to know01 Jul 2020
- Video 1 – Locking down anti-social behaviour – Covid-19 and Community Protection Notices28 Apr 2020
- Litigation in lockdown: the housing cases receiving pandemic priority07 Apr 2020
- Residential Possession claims and COVID-1925 Mar 2020
- Birmingham school injunction was not within the ambit of the Equality Act 201002 Dec 2019
- Kuljit to take part in a world wide conversation on HE and gender equality17 Sep 2018
- Kuljit Bhogal chairs ResolveASB Conference 201601 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Housing Newsletter – August 201601 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Barristers Special Edition Housing Newsletter: Housing and Planning Act 201601 Jan 2018
- Kuljit Bhogal commended at Asian Women of Achievement Awards 201601 Jan 2018
- Kuljit Bhogal shortlisted for Asian Women of Achievement Award01 Jan 2018
- Local Government Lawyer – Cornerstone on Anti-Social Behaviour – The New Law01 Jan 2018
- Law Society Gazette: Cornerstone on Anti-Social Behaviour: The New Law01 Jan 2018
- Appeal-proof Homelessness Decisions01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Newsletter: Bringing You the Latest in Legal Developments01 Jan 2018
- PSPOs: Bans on hats, lying down in public, car cruisers and skateboarders…what next?01 Jan 2018
- PSPO deadline is closer than you might think…01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter February 201701 Jan 2018
- What difference does the revised anti-social behaviour guidance make?01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Housing Newsletter – May 201601 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Housing Day 2015 – Presentations01 Jan 2018
- Cornerstone Barristers Housing Newsletter – July 201501 Jan 2018
- Housing Law Update: the essential guide to all the latest changes01 Jan 2018
- Strategy and policy
- Court of Protection
Kuljit is a specialist in this area and has expertise of both welfare and financial cases. She was involved in the nationwide training offered by Cornerstone Barristers following the introduction of the Care Act.
Her experience includes:
- Best interests disputes
- Cross-examining sexual abusers and experts
- DoLS, including unauthorised deprivations
- Disputes as to costs and damages
- Mental Health Act disputes, nearest relatives
Some examples of her recent cases:
- L B Wandsworth v SMR and GB – Dispute as to capacity to manage financial affairs, concerns of financial abuse and a request for repayment of sums paid from SMR’s assets. Kuljit acted for the L B Wandsworth.
- Thomas (x2) v Thomas (x2) and L B Wandsworth and L B Bromley – Dispute about the validity of an Enduring Power of Attorney. Whether EPA should be disclaimed in place of a deputyship. Contact between P and family members. Kuljit acted for L B Wandsworth.
- L B Haringey v HS and VS – Best interest with regards to the residence of P who has severe learning disabilities. The dispute arose following allegations of historical and current sexual abuse by family members within the family home that had resulted in terminations of pregnancy. Kuljit appeared for VS.
- Kuljit Bhogal KC Nominated for Lifetime Achievement Award25 Nov 2024
- Chambers UK Bar 2025: Cornerstone Barristers achieve 75 individual rankings across 15 practice areas 17 Oct 2024
- Court of Protection Masterclass: Navigating Complex Cases25 Sep 2024
- Cornerstone Barristers’ Kuljit Bhogal is sworn in as a Recorder of the Crown Court14 Jun 2021
- NEW BRIEFING – Local authorities post COVID-19. All you need to know01 Jul 2020
- Inquests and Inquiries
Kuljit has appeared in several inquests, mainly on behalf of local authorities in their capacity as licensing authority, provider of social care or housing authority.
She has experience of:
- Inquests following death in a health setting, in the work place, in a holiday or leisure setting.
- The adequacy of assessments and care plans for the provision of residential care.
- Good practice in the provision of services to vulnerable adults and children in a residential setting.
- Health issues in residential care homes.
- Delineation of responsibilities between local authorities and other service providers.
Kuljit is currently instructed in an inquest involving a death at home and the social care provided by the local authority.
Kuljit was instructed in relation to the inquests into the deaths of JS, GP and KB, Inner South London Coroner’s Court. The fatalities related to licensed spa premises and Kuljit was instructed for the London Borough of Lambeth, an interested party. Further details can be found here.
- Licensing
Kuljit has a developing licensing practice, and has particular niche expertise in Closure Orders made in respect of licensed premises under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and the interaction of this statutory regime with the Licensing Act 2003. She has acted for both local authorities and premises owners.
She is also able to advise on all aspects of managing anti-social behaviour relating to licensed premises.
- Chambers UK Bar 2025: Cornerstone Barristers achieve 75 individual rankings across 15 practice areas 17 Oct 2024
- Cornerstone Barristers’ Kuljit Bhogal is sworn in as a Recorder of the Crown Court14 Jun 2021
- NEW BRIEFING – Local authorities post COVID-19. All you need to know01 Jul 2020
- Video 1 – Locking down anti-social behaviour – Covid-19 and Community Protection Notices28 Apr 2020
- Cornerstone Leisure Newsletter February 201701 Jan 2018