Selena Jones

Practice Summary

Selena accepts instructions in all areas of Chambers' practice and has a particular interest in Property, Local Government and Public Law.  Selena previously practised at a leading set of chambers which specialises in Criminal Law, where she gained significant experience of conducting trials both defending and prosecuting in the Youth Court, Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court.  This experience compliments Selena’s Housing and Property practice and makes her the perfect choice for cases involving criminal offences which relate to social housing properties.   She is highly valued by lay and professional clients and is renowned for her “fearless approach to defence” and has been commended for her written and oral advocacy by those who instruct her.  Selena has been commended by judges as an advocate with “ability, knowledge, principled confidence and strong ethics together with a thoroughly pleasant and highly persuasive manner”.  She is recognised for her skilful handling of cases involving vulnerable defendants and is described as having a “wonderful aura which makes clients feel at ease”.  Selena has appeared in contested confiscation hearings some of which have included the consideration of Unlawful Profit Orders. Notable cases are listed below.

Prior to pupillage, Selena was an accomplished Senior Fraud Investigator.  Selena successfully led a project which was funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime in respect of offences relating to Social Housing properties committed by Serious Organised Criminal Networks. A notable case was selected by the BBC; Selena worked as the lead investigator on behalf of two local authorities and the Department for Work and Pensions concerning an individual who used multiple identities to perpetuate a large-scale fraud which was valued at £314,126.77.  The individual unlawfully sublet two local authority properties and dishonestly claimed Single Persons discounts and Housing Benefit. The BBC re-enacted the case and featured it in a documentary. Selena received commendation and praise from the BBC on leading “an excellent investigation.”.  Selena gained a wealth of experience in diverse, complex and serious fraud cases, during which she developed expertise in the prosecution of offences relating to Housing Law; an insight which has proved invaluable in her practice.

Selena also worked for 8 years as a Housing Officer where she gained extensive experience in all aspects of landlord and tenant law; homelessness, allocations, nuisance, leasehold management, disrepair, unlawful eviction, possession proceedings, family home rights and succession. She has worked as a Housing Paralegal where she undertook legal research, drafted pleadings, assisted in the preparation of defences, prepared bundles for trial and attended court; an Appropriate Adult, which provided her with frequent experience of interacting with youths and vulnerable adults; an Advisor with a Law Centre,  a FRU Representative and a McKenzie Friend with the National Centre of Domestic Violence where she represented sufferers of domestic violence in the County Courts.  Selena has also worked on the disclosure review relating to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.