Public Law and Human Rights

Clara has a particular interest in public law and human rights, having gained a wealth of experience in these areas during her time at the Government Legal Service. At HMRC she conducted Human Rights Act analyses of new Finance Bill measures, provided legal advice on the department’s obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty, and dealt with discrimination claims made against the government by members of the public. 

Clara is frequently instructed in matters involving public law and human rights issues, including judicial review, discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 and the public sector equality duty. 

Clara was instructed as junior counsel for the Claimant in the case of Birmingham City Council v Afsar and Others [2019] EWHC 3217 (QB) and obtained injunctions against protesters who opposed the content of equality teaching at a primary school. The case considered the following competing rights under the ECHR: freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, right to respect for private and family life, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the right to an education.

Local Government

Clara’s experience at the Government Legal Service provides her with a strong government background. She has dealt with a range of matters in a government context, including functions and powers, government policy, state aid, the four freedoms of the EU, and judicial review. She has also advised the government on information disclosure in cases involving government data sharing, trusts, domestic court orders and cross-border enforcement of foreign judgments.

Clara undertook a secondment in the housing department of a large local authority and continues to advise and represent local authorities in matters involving housing, benefits and anti-social behaviour.

Clara acted as junior counsel for the Applicant in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) in the case of Licensees of Ashley Community Housing v Bristol City Council.

Housing and Property

Clara represents both claimants and defendants in all areas of housing law. She acts for both tenants and public bodies in judicial reviews and statutory appeals in matters concerning homelessness and the allocation of social housing. Clara has also acted in housing benefit appeals and regularly represents clients in matters concerning selective licensing, houses in multiple occupation (HMO), rent repayment orders (RRO), and statutory nuisance. 

Real Property

Clara accepts instructions from both social and private landlord and tenants in all matters relating to commercial and residential property. She is frequently instructed in possession claims involving residential tenancies, forfeiture, orders for sale, deposit claims, trusts and guardianship. She also represents leaseholders and freeholders in service charge disputes, enfranchisement, adverse possession, and party walls and boundary disputes.

Clara has dealt with the transfer of freehold and leasehold properties, easements, and constructive and resulting trusts in the context of relationship breakdowns and probate. Clara has also advised in matters involving suspected property fraud and rectification and indemnity applications to the Land Registry.

Regulatory

Clara accepts instructions in all areas of regulatory law relating to chambers’ core practice areas. Clara has represented clients in the General Regulatory Chamber tribunal and appears on behalf of landlords, local authorities, and property management companies in regulatory prosecutions. 

Anti-Social Behaviour

Clara’s practice covers all aspects of anti-social behaviour under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Clara undertook a secondment at a large local authority where she regularly dealt with anti-social behaviour and gang injunctions, committal applications, public law defences, discrimination, and legal capacity issues. Clara also has experience of dealing with closure orders and Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO). 

Education

Clara accepts instructions in all areas of education law, including special educational needs (SEN) challenges and school admission and exclusion appeals. 

Public Access

Clara is qualified to accept instructions through the Public Access scheme.