Simpson-Lowe v Croydon LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 131
The role of local authority medical advisers where an applicant claims priority need homelessness status on medical grounds
Area of Law: Housing & Community Care Public Law
— Read moreCall: 1999pt@onepumpcourt.co.uk
Specialist in
Direct AccessExperience
Patricia is recommended in Chambers & Partners UK as an experienced housing practitioner. She specialises in all aspects of housing, property and related public law, including homelessness, landlord and tenant disputes (possession, disrepair, harassment and unlawful evictions), leaseholder service charges and forfeiture. Patricia represents clients in courts and tribunals at all levels including the High Court, Court of Appeal, county courts and property tribunals.
Patricia’s recent cases include the following:
Homelessness appeal: arguing even if the local authority concludes an applicant was not in fear of her former partner, the denigration of her personality resulting from psychological, emotional and/or financial abuse comes within the wider Yemshaw v Hounslow definition of domestic violence.
Public law defences: Securing the dismissal of a possession claim brought against the defendant after his application for non-statutory succession was refused, where the local authority unsuccessfully argued a public law defence (without an article 8 proportionality defence) was not available because the defendant had no private law contractual rights.
Disrepair: arguing the local authority had failed in its attempt to delete the relevant term of its secure tenancy agreements (affecting approximately 5,400 of its tenants), and as a result was liable for condensation and other dampness that was not a consequence of section 11 disrepair.
What the directories say
Chambers and Partners 2020:
“She was great to work with; her knowledge and experience is brilliant.”
Chambers and Partners 2019:
“Excellent with vulnerable clients, she is calm under pressure and can be relied upon.”
“She is always very helpful and pays attention to detail.”
Chambers and Partners 2018:
“Particularly sound on homelessness matters”
Chambers and Partners 2017:
“Very good with clients and excellent at cross-examination.”
Chambers and Partners 2016:
“Veteran social housing practitioner with expertise across all areas.”
Chambers and Partners 2015:
Calm, polite and firm, she has an excellent manner when dealing with challenging clients. She is prompt and responsive in all her dealings.”
Education
BSc – Southampton University
C.P.E (now known as GDL) – City University
Professional Memberships
Housing Law Practitioners’ Association
Property Bar Association
Awards
Chambers and Partners, 2016
The role of local authority medical advisers where an applicant claims priority need homelessness status on medical grounds
Area of Law: Housing & Community Care Public Law
— Read moreHomeless applicants have a right to an oral hearing on a review of their case by a local housing authority.
Area of Law: Housing & Community Care
— Read moreWhether a local authority is entitled to provide oral reasons for its decision following a Children Act assessment
Area of Law: Housing & Community Care Public Law
— Read moreThe provisions in an agreement regarding the increase and recovery of service charges
Area of Law: Housing & Community Care
— Read moreAccommodation pending review for a homeless applicant claiming priority need on the grounds that her sister is a child dependent on her
Area of Law: Housing & Community Care Public Law
— Read more