020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591 London | Birmingham | Cardiff
Riccardo specialises in public law and judicial review, housing and homelessness, and planning law.
He is a member of the Attorney General's C Panel of Counsel and of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's panel of counsel. He is ranked in both the Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 directories of highly-rated barristers. He has appeared in more than 30 reported cases in the higher courts, including the Supreme Court.
Chambers and Partners 2022
Legal 500 2022
Chambers and Partners 2021
Clients describe Riccardo as an "enthusiastic" and "terrific barrister" who "works in partnership with [them] throughout the case" and who is happy to "take the lead". He "give[s] a very professional service", is "very attentive to detail", and produces "well-argued skeleton arguments". Riccardo's "written and oral advocacy is persuasive, and he wins over judges easily, even in cases which seem un-winnable".
Judges have lauded his "very careful submissions" (HS (Bangladesh) v SSHD [2018] EWCA Civ 446), commended the "extraordinarily helpful way" in which he puts his case (UBT Pty Ltd v Moffitt [2017] EWHC 3251 (Ch)), and described him as presenting his submissions "with skill and moderation" (Ali v SSHD [2018] EWCA Civ 2220).
He is qualified to accept instructions on a Public Access basis directly from members of the public.
"A formidable advocate." Chambers and Partners 2022
"He is extremely thorough, and his preparation comes over in the work that he produces and appearances before court." Chambers and Partners 2022
"He is very proactive, provides sound, thorough and timely advice, and fights the corner of the client but is always realistic." Legal 500 2022
"Riccardo is brilliant as an advocate. He is very user-friendly and incredibly professional and approachable." Chambers and Partners 2021
"Riccardo has boundless enthusiasm and a real capacity for hard work. He is 100% reliable and has a real understanding of social housing law." Legal 500 2021
"He has the drive, determination and extreme intellect to go far in social housing." Chambers and Partners 2020
"He is very efficient, knowledgeable, personable and reliable." Chambers and Partners 2020
"He is very good technically, highly approachable and good with clients." Chambers and Partners 2019
"Efficient and thorough, he's able to absorb significant amounts of information swiftly and provide balanced advice with a view to the overall aim of the litigation." Chambers and Partners 2019
Riccardo is is a member of the Attorney General's C Panel of Counsel and a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's panel of counsel. He has extensive experience in public law claims and is instructed for and against public bodies in matters relating to all of Chambers' core practice areas. He regularly advises and appears in claims for judicial review.
He has recently been instructed in the High Court and Court of Appeal in applications under s.222 Local Government Act 1972, in judicial review claims arising out of local authorities' homelessness function, in immigration appeals from the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), in welfare benefits cases in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber), and in inquests before HM Coroner. He regularly advises in unlawful detention claims in the High Court and County Court.
He is a contributor to the local government law section of LexisPSL.
Recent cases
Riccardo is ranked in both Chambers & Partners (Band 3) and Legal 500 (Rising Star) for housing.
He has extensive experience of the whole range of housing law matters at first instance and on appeal. He is regularly instructed in homelessness appeals under ss.204-204A Housing Act 1996 and related judicial review claims, including on an urgent basis and out of hours.
He is the Consultant Editor of the Housing Volume of Halsbury's Laws of England (2022).
Recent cases
Riccardo has a growing planning and highways practice. He represents the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, local authorities, developers, and interested parties in judicial review claims, s.288 statutory reviews, s.289 appeals, planning inquiries and hearings, and in prosecutions.
He is a contributor to the planning law section of LexisPSL and to the LexisNexis case analysis service for planning decisions.
Recent cases
Riccardo accepts instructions from residential and commercial landlords and tenants throughout the court and tribunal systems.
Recent cases
17th May 2022
Consultant Editor
Contributor
Articles
Podcasts / Webinars
Case: Housing
Court of Appeal confirms that there can be no late review of a s.107D(3) notice
17th May 2022
R (Kalonga) v Croydon LBC [2022] EWCA Civ 670 Croydon LBC granted to Ms Kalonga a flexible tenancy. Before that tenancy came to an end Croydon served on Ms Kalonga a....News: Housing
New edition of the Housing Volume of Halsbury’s Laws of England published
9th May 2022
A new edition of the Housing Volume of Halsbury's Laws of England has been published, with Riccardo Calzavara as the Consultant Editor. For more information see here.....Case:
5th April 2022
In Croydon LBC v Kalonga [2022] 2 WLR 592, SC the Supreme Court explained how a flexible tenancy could be determined during its fixed term. Our summary of the judgment....Case: Housing
Croydon Council succeeds in the Supreme Court on the termination of flexible tenancies
9th March 2022
Croydon LBC v Kalonga [2022] UKSC 7
....News: Housing
Kelvin Rutledge QC and Riccardo Calzavara in the Supreme Court today
12th January 2022
Today Kelvin Rutledge QC and Riccardo Calzavara of Cornerstone Barristers are in the Supreme Court in an appeal (Croydon London Borough Council v Kalonga) that seeks clarity as to the....Case: Housing
No late review of a s.107D(3) notice: R (Kalonga) v Croydon LBC
4th August 2021
There is no power to accede to a late review request of a landlord's decision not to grant a fresh tenancy upon expiry of a flexible tenancy R (Kalonga) v Croydon....Case: Housing
Supreme Court grants permission to appeal in Croydon LBC v Kalonga
26th April 2021
Croydon LBC granted a flexible tenancy to Ms Kalonga. During the fixed term of the tenancy Croydon instituted a possession claim against Ms Kalonga in the County Court. Because of....Case: Housing
You don't need it, but you have to use it
27th January 2021
Croydon LBC v Kalonga [2021] EWCA Civ 77 Ms Kalonga was the flexible tenant of property let to her by Croydon. She was served notice on the basis of rent arrears....Case: Property
It is not necessary to plead rectification in order to rectify
8th December 2020
Ralph v Ralph [2020] EWHC 3348 (QB) The claimant and defendant were son and father respectively. Some years ago they jointly bought a property in which the father intended to, and....Case: Housing, Property
19th November 2020
Hussain v Waltham Forest LBC [2020] EWCA Civ 1539 The Court of Appeal has upheld the decision of the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) that in deciding whether a person is “fit....Case: Housing
6th November 2020
On 6 November 2020, in Stanley v Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council [2020] EWCA Civ 1458, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal against the striking out of a county court....Case: Housing
Permission to appeal granted in Croydon LBC v Kalonga
24th August 2020
The Court of Appeal has granted permission to appeal against the judgment of Tipples J in Croydon LBC v Kalonga [2020] EWHC 1353 (QB). Floyd LJ granted permission on both grounds....Case: Housing
You need it, but you don’t have to use it
2nd June 2020
Croydon LBC v Kalonga [2020] EWHC 1353 (QB)
....Case: Housing
2nd April 2020
James v Hertsmere BC [2020] EWCA Civ 489
....Case: Housing, Licensing, Property
6th February 2020
Waltham Forest LBC v (1) Marshall (2) Ustek [2020] UKUT 0035 (LC)
....Case: Housing, Licensing
New guidance on spent convictions and underlying conduct in applying 'fit and proper person' test?
6th November 2019
(1) Nasim Hussain (2) FHCO Ltd (3) Farina Hussain v Waltham Forest LBC [2019] UKUT 339 (LC)
....Case: Planning and Environment
No irrationality on the part of the Secretary of State’s Inspector
9th August 2019
Stroud DC v Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government & Cole
....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
Court of Appeal: No home for discrimination claims in section 204 appeals
2nd August 2019
Adesotu v Lewisham LBC, EHRC intervening [2019] EWCA Civ 1405
....News: Public Law and Judicial Review
Four Cornerstone members appointed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s panel of counsel
15th May 2019
We are proud to announce that Estelle Dehon, Matt Lewin, Riccardo Calzavara and Tara O'Leary have been appointed to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's (EHRC) panel of counsel. Head of....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
15th March 2019
In an earlier judgment from the other of these two conjoined judicial review claims, the High Court declared that the Right to Rent scheme is incompatible with the European Convention....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing
1st March 2019
[2019] EWHC 452 (Admin)
....News: Licensing
27th February 2019
By Riccardo Calzavara Uber, founded in San Francisco in 2009 and operating in London since 2012, is ubiquitous. Since then, it has been the subject of significant judicial consideration in a....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Planning and Environment, Housing, Licensing, Information Law, Property, Commercial and Regulatory, Inquests and Inquiries, Court of Protection, Health and Social Care, Local Government
Riccardo Calzavara and Matt Lewin appointed to the Attorney General’s C Panel
23rd January 2019
We are proud to announce that the Attorney General has appointed Riccardo Calzavara and Matt Lewin to the C Panel of Junior Counsel to the Crown for a period of....Case: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing, Local Government
Court of Appeal rejects challenges to out-of-area placements
6th December 2018
Adam v Westminster CC; Brent LBC v Alibkhiet [2018] EWCA Civ 2742
....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing, Property
Riccardo Calzavara nominated for Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year
10th October 2018
We are proud to announce that Riccardo Calzavara has been nominated as Young Pro Bono Barrister of the Year for the Bar Pro Bono Awards 2018. We wish Riccardo good luck for the award....News: Public Law and Judicial Review
Court of Appeal considers the Immigration Rules
10th October 2018
The Court of Appeal has transcribed (on 9 October 2018) its judgment in an immigration appeal heard on 27 June 2018. The court had been asked to determine what "time....News: Housing
Homelessness Reduction Act 2017: six months on
26th September 2018
By Riccardo Calzavara The statutory scheme in England for homelessness assistance has been contained in Part 7 Housing Act 1996 ("HA 1996") since it came into force on 20 January....News: Public Law and Judicial Review, Housing, Property, Local Government
Riccardo Calzavara joins Cornerstone Barristers
4th June 2018
Cornerstone Barristers is delighted to announce that Riccardo Calzavara has joined us from Arden Chambers. Riccardo specialises in public law and judicial review, housing, property, and local government. He was called....Court of Appeal confirms that there can be no late review of a s.107D(3) notice
17th May 2022
R (Kalonga) v Croydon LBC [2022] EWCA Civ 670 Croydon LBC granted to Ms Kalonga a flexible tenancy. Before that tenancy came to an end Croydon served on Ms Kalonga a....020 7242 4986 or 0333 240 0591
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