Anti-Social Behaviour
Early in her career, Stephanie was periodically seconded to a large local authority to advise and represent on all aspects of anti-social behaviour. She regularly acts for local authorities in relation to obtaining and enforcing injunctions preventing nuisance and annoyance and possession proceedings. She has expertise in the new legislative scheme under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and can provide training on the new powers available to local authorities and the police.
Housing
Stephanie has experience in all aspects of housing, including leasehold disputes (construction of covenant, service charge recovery, appointment of managers, enfranchisement, right to manage, lease extensions), possession proceedings, the right to buy, shared ownership, housing fraud, disrepair/dilapidations and unlawful eviction/harassment.
Stephanie regularly appears in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in respect of residential leasehold matters. In 2011, she was nominated for the Bar Pro Bono Award, primarily for her work on Oaklands Court Worthing Residents Association v Oaklands Court Pension Fund (CHI/45UH/LIS/2011/0031).
Local Government
Stephanie routinely represents and advises both local authorities and applicants in homelessness matters including s.204 appeals and applications to the High Court for judicial review of refusals to accept applications and provide accommodation under ss.188(1) and (3).
Stephanie also has experience of prosecuting breach of bye-laws, successfully appearing in the Crown Court on appeal and coroner’s inquests (particularly death arising from carbon-monoxide poisoning).
Public Access
Public
Stephanie’s practice regularly involves public law issues. Her recent appearances in the Court of Appeal in Wilson and Haque (see below) concerned the interrelationship between the public-sector equality duty under s.149, Equality Act 2010 (in the context of disability) and local authority homelessness functions. She has acted for both local authorities and tenants in possession proceedings raising equality and human rights defences.
Real Property
Stephanie has also advised and represented local authorities and
private individuals in cases concerning disputes over freehold and
leasehold land (both residential and commercial) as well as adverse
possession and encroachment.
She acts in cases concerning inheritance disputes, trusts of the
family home, the Party Walls etc. Act 1996 and other boundary disputes.
