Annabel Steele

Annabel has developed a particularly busy homelessness practice and is regularly instructed in statutory appeals under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996, judicial review claims and related advisory work.

She appears frequently in the County Court in homelessness appeals and has also acted as junior counsel in the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Annabel’s practice covers the full spectrum of homelessness decision-making, including cases concerning:

• Intentional homelessness

• Priority need

• Suitability of accommodation

• Interim accommodation duties

• Local connection referrals

• Eligibility and immigration-related issues

• Procedural fairness

• Irrationality and wider public law failings.

She has particular experience in cases involving vulnerable applicants, including disabled people, asylum seekers and families with young children, as well as challenges arising from significant procedural irregularities, and s.204A appeals against refusals to grant accommodation pending appeal.

Alongside her court practice, Annabel has delivered training to solicitors and legal aid providers on homelessness law.

Annabel accepts instructions across the full range of housing litigation, including:

• Possession proceedings

• Unlawful eviction

• Succession and tenancy disputes

• Anti-social behaviour injunctions

• Disrepair

• Appeals and interlocutory applications

She is regularly instructed in contested possession matters involving allegations of anti-social behaviour, disability discrimination and public law issues. She has a particular interest in cases engaging the Equality Act 2010, as well as public law defences involving breach of policy.

She is also experienced in unlawful eviction claims, including applications for urgent injunctive relief and damages claims involving alleged harassment, trespass and interference with goods.

Annabel has a particular interest in Equality Act and human rights issues arising in housing litigation and public law. She is instructed in matters involving disability discrimination, direct and indirect discrimination, the public sector equality duty, and policy breaches in relation to vulnerable people.

Annabel regularly appears in matters arising under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, including anti-social behaviour injunctions and related possession proceedings.

She has appeared as junior counsel in the High Court in proceedings concerning a challenge to a public spaces protection order and is experienced in cases involving overlapping public law, housing and community protection issues. She has also appeared in the Youth Court for a vulnerable child in an application for an ASB injunction.