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Robert Brown
Barrister

Contact details

robert.brown@ardenchambers.com
Tel: 020 7242 4244
Fax: 020 7242 3224

Year of Call (& Silk)

2008

Areas of practice

Housing
Landlord & Tenant
Property
Public Law
Planning
LVT

Summary

Robert became a tenant in 2010 after successfully completing his pupillage in Chambers.

During his pupillage Robert gained extensive experience in the areas of housing, landlord and tenant, property and public law.

Since becoming a member of Chambers he has built on his experience through undertaking Multi-track and Fast Track trials, appearing in the LVT and the High Court, and advising on a wide range of issues.

Robert is keen to continue developing a practice covering all areas of Chambers' expertise and accepts work from tenants, local authorities, housing associations and private landlords.

Areas of practice detail

Housing

Robert advises and acts on behalf of both landlords and tenants on all aspects of housing law, including possession claims, anti-social behaviour injunctions, disprepair, harassment, unlawful eviction and homelessness.

He has gained particular experience of the preparation and trial of possession claims, especially in relation to anti-social behaviour. He has also appeared in the Crown Court for the defendant in proceedings for an Anti-social Behaviour Order.

Robert is familiar with all aspects of homelessness law and has been seconded to the legal team of a London local authority to assist with homelessness litigation on a regular basis since August 2010. He was also recently seconded to a local authority legal department as in-house counsel for anti-social behaviour cases.

Robert was instructed as second junior counsel by one of the respondent local authorities in Hounslow v Powell [2011] UKSC 8; [2011] HLR 23. He was also involved as a pupil in researching and preparing for the important housing and human rights cases of Salford v Mullen [2010] EWCA Civ 336; [2010] HLR 35; Wilson v Harrow [2010] EWHC 1574 (QB) and Pinnock v Manchester [2010] UKSC 45; [2011] HLR 7.

Residential Landlord & Tenant

During pupillage Robert has acted for and advised private landlords and tenants. He has also advised in relation to business tenancies. He appeared for the successful defendant in Zafar v Goddard Bristol County Court, Legal Action April 2011, a case concerning the interpretation of Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, s.48.

Property

Robert has experience of a wide range of property law matters, including adverse possession, orders for sale, trusts of land, easements and inheritance disputes. During pupillage he was involved in the High Court case of Ashby v Kilduff [2010] EWHC 2034 (Ch); [2010] 3 FCR 80.

LVT

Robert recently appeared in the LVT in cases concerning leasehold extension and the appointment of a manager.

During pupillage Robert gained experience of leasehold disputes including service charges, forfeiture and enfranchisement.

Public Law

Robert has assisted and been involved in a number of important public law cases, including Ali v Birmingham [2010] UKSC 8; [2010] 2 AC 39; [2010] HLR 22; Manchester v Pinnock [2010] UKSC 45; [2011] HLR 7; and Hounslow v Powell [2011] UKSC 8; [2011] HLR 23; as second junior counsel. He has also lectured on judicial review and recently worked on a major judicial review case on behalf of a local authority.

Planning

During his pupillage Robert gained experience advising on planning disputes, particularly involving permitted development and travellers' sites.

Legal publications

Articles

'The Localism Bill: taking security of tenure for granted?'
Jpurneal of Housing Law 2011, issue 14(2) (with Laura West)
'Weaver: a step too far?' Journal of Housing Law 2009 issue 12(6) (with Professor David Cowan).
'Where now for "public authorities?" A Comment on YL v Birmingham' JSHRN 2008

Memberships

Housing Law Practitioners Association
Human Rights Lawyers Association

Other

Prior to joining Chambers Robert gained considerable experience of working in Local Government, the Civil Service, higher education and the Third Sector. During this time he was involved in high profile judicial review cases and cases before the European Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.

Robert has a particular interest in human rights and discrimination law and was involved in lobbying during the drafting and parliamentary passage of the Equality Act 2010.

Robert was awarded the 2008 Sir Louis Gluckstein Price for Advocacy by Lincoln's Inn. He has degrees in History and Law.

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