"Very creative and excellent at spotting a new point, Alice is very thorough in her work and has strong advocacy skills"
Legal 500
Alice specialises in public law, housing, landlord & tenant and property law. She has a particular interest in cases involving discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, human rights and capacity issues.
Alice has appeared in courts and tribunals at all levels including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.
Alice is a member of the Attorney General's regional B panel of counsel and the Equality and Human Rights Commission panel of counsel.
Alice is not currently accepting instructions.
Alice’s practice covers all aspects of landlord and tenant and social housing litigation, including possession, homelessness, allocations, anti-social behaviour, tenancy deposits, unlawful eviction, disrepair and housing conditions, tenancy fraud, succession and assignment.
In addition to housing and homelessness matters Alice’s public law practice covers social security, community care, environmental law and prison law.
Alice has significant experience in cases concerning alleged breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.
Alice’s practice also covers traditional chancery work and she has particular experience of TOLATA claims, dilapidations, disrepair, possession and related disputes including breach of covenant, forfeiture and relief. She accepts instructions in leasehold disputes including service charges, property management and enfranchisement.
Alice is regularly instructed in regulatory matters in her specialist areas, including:
Alice has a developing Court of Protection practice and is regularly instructed in matters concerning both Property and Affairs and Health and Welfare Matters. She has been instructed by local authorities, professional deputies and on behalf of the Official Solicitor.
She is also regularly instructed in County Court matters in proceedings involving parties lacking capacity particularly those which arise in the context of housing and homelessness.
The ‘reasonable recipient’ test and possession notices (Pease v Carter), Lexis PSL, 20th February 2020 (available here)
Conviction for managing an unlicensed HMO quashed on appeal: an application must be decided before instigating a prosecution, LondonPropertyLicensing.co.uk, 19th July 2018 (available here)
The right to rent and local authorities’ duties (R v Milton Keynes Council), Lexis PSL,19th January 2018 (available here)
Proportionality and Private Landlords, Solicitor’s Journal 2016, 160(36) Supp (Bar Focus), 24-27.
Ali v United Kingdom: Homelessness Appeals and the Right to a Fair Trial, Journal of Housing Law 2016, Vol.19(2), 38-42.
Alice is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public through the Direct Access scheme.
Alice undertook a four-month internship with Reprieve working pro-bono on death penalty cases at a Texas law office prior to commencing pupillage. She continues to undertake pro-bono work including through the Bar Pro Bono Unit/ Advocate.
Lack of capacity was not an ‘other status’ under Article 14 and Regulations 8, 10, 12A and 12B of the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 1991 (the ‘hospitalisation rule’) had an objective and reasonable justification.
The Court of Appeal considered the correct approach to requests made to lessee-owned property management companies under s.116 Companies Act 2006. It was not improper to obtain contact information for other members to propose resolutions to replace the existing directors and managing agent. Whilst rights as a leaseholder and as a shareholder are distinct, it was impossible to draw a sharp dividing line between the covenants under the lease and the affairs of the company.
Successfully represented the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions defending a challenge to the lawfulness of the 28 day ‘hospitalisation rule’ in the Social Security (Disability Living Allowance) Regulations 1991. The Upper Tribunal held that a lack of capacity was not an ‘other status’ for the purposes of Art.14 and the rule did not unlawfully discriminate against disabled adults in hospital.
Judicial review of a decision to serve a noise abatement notice on a person with an involuntary vocalisation disorder primarily on the basis of disability discrimination under the Equality Act. The High Court agreed that the matter could proceed by way of judicial review notwithstanding the existence of a right to a statutory appeal as it was ‘uncertain’ whether the Magistrates’ Court had jurisdiction to consider the EA points.
Successfully represented a private landlord in a second appeal, to the Court of Appeal, on the applicability of the “reasonable recipient” test and “substantially to the same effect” provisions to possession notices served under s.8 Housing Act 1988.
It was an entirely proper and legitimate purpose for a member of a lessee-owned property management company to seek to inspect the register of members in order to pursue the objective of effecting a change of managing agents.
Successfully represented a tenant, pro-bono, in an appeal against the decision of the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to grant a Rent Repayment Order of £1. The judge held that there had been a breach of natural justice, the appeal was allowed on all grounds and the matter remitted to the FTT for a re-hearing.
Successfully represented a lessee-owned property management company in an application to the High Court seeking a direction that it need not comply with a shareholder’s request to inspect the register of members. The request was not made for a “proper purpose” because Mr Barton sought to pursue his rights as a leaseholder, not as a member of the company.
Represented the Secretary of State in this appeal concerning the test for “genuine and effective work" in relation to an EU citizen’s right to reside in the UK. The judge praised Alice’s “measured and thoughtful questioning and submissions
Successful appeal against conviction for failure to license an HMO under s.72(1) Housing Act 2004 on the basis of abuse of process. The authority had taken the decision to prosecute despite failing to deal with the landlord’s application for a license pursuant to the Act.
Successfully defeated the local authority’s appeal to the Court of Appeal. The authority were not entitled to ‘revise’ their positive decision on Mr Sambotin’s homelessness application notwithstanding the fact that a local connection referral was outstanding.
Successfully represented the local authority in the largest ever gang-injunction application against 18 members of rival gangs engaging in serious anti-social behaviour. The case received national media attention.
Successfully represented the claimant in a judicial review of a local authority’s decision to revoke a decision made under Part 7, Housing Act 1996.
Successfully opposed an appeal to the Court of Appeal on the lawfulness of a suspended sentence for breach of a gang injunction.
Successfully acted for the RLA, an intervener, in the Supreme Court on the applicability of an Article 8 defence in possession proceedings brought by a private landlord.
Paul joined Trinity Chambers in March 2020 following the closure of Zenith Chambers.
Paul has a wealth of experience in the legal profession having commenced his career in the late 80's and qualified as a legal executive in the early 90's whilst working for one of the countries largest criminal law firms dealing with serious criminal cases before moving to Number One Fountain Court in Birmingham as the Senior Clerk. Following the merger of Number One with St Philips Chambers in 2002 Paul became the Senior Criminal Clerk looking after what was then the largest criminal team in the country at the time.
Paul took almost a decade away from clerking during which he was the Chief Executive of an International Law firm specialising in domestic and international public law and human rights law adding a range of business and management skills to his CV before returning to the Bar in 2017 as the Senior Civil Clerk at Zenith Chambers in Leeds.
Away from chambers Paul can be found packing down in the second row although he has been on the verge of "retirement" from club rugby for the last three seasons but as a former club captain it's difficult to let go. When Paul does hang his boots up he plans to start learning to play the guitar again. When not playing rugby Paul is a season ticket holder at Wasps RFC and religiously follows Ireland Rugby home and away where possible where he enjoys the occasional "sociable pint"!
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Paul McNab is always available, commercial and pragmatic.'
'Paul McNab, clerk, is the go-to person. If Paul can't do it no one can. He is the finest clerk I have worked with. He's an asset to the chambers.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
‘Paul McNab is always available and always willing to assist where he can.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Paul McNab, clerk, is excellent and has never let me down.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerks are approachable and accommodating.’‘Paul McNab – contactable, adaptable, and provides a good service.’‘Paul McNab is responsive, professional and knowledgeable.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Paul McNab is an excellent clerk. He's responsive, reliable and personable.'
Steve joined Trinity Chambers in 2018 as Civil Clerk. He has worked in the legal industry for over 20 years, initially as a Litigation Executive at a number of firms in Manchester and then, from 2004, as a Clerk at leading sets in Manchester, London and Newcastle. Having worked as a litigator for many years prior to becoming a clerk, Steve is acutely aware of the pressures Chambers’ clients work under and goes out of his way to ensure the service they get from Chambers goes beyond that of our competitors.
As well as day to day management of the civil diary Steve is heavily involved in business development and client relationship management for the Civil Team. He is always more than happy to discuss with clients how Chambers, Members of Chambers and the Clerks might tailor the service we offer to best suit your needs.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Trinity has a really good clerking team. I deal mostly with Steve Walker, lead civil clerk, who is a pleasure to deal with. He and the rest of his team are very approachable and responsive.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steven Walker is excellent.’
‘Steve Walker and Paul McNab are always friendly, approachable and make excellent suggestions as to which counsel may be best suited for a particular matter.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steve Walker has a very good knowledge of the market. He is a very helpful clerk.' 'Steve Walker is very responsive and helpful.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Steve Walker has always been efficient and helpful.’ ‘All of the clerks are responsive and helpful. Steven Walker is superb.’ ‘Steven Walker will go above and beyond for his clients ensuring that instructing solicitors are matched with the right barrister matching their skill set for the matter.’ ‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Chambers & Partners 2022
'Steve Walker is responsive and very helpful.' 'Steve Walker is very hard-working and does a good job looking after the barristers.' 'Steve Walker is very proactive, easy to talk to and will sort things out if we need any help.'
Legal 500 2022
'Steve Walker is excellent. He takes the time to understand the problem and works around the clock to ensure expectations are met.'
Josh joined Trinity in 2020 as a Clerk on the Civil team after working for 5 years in business management. The transferable skills gained have enabled him to make this change in career and given him the chance to revert back to his university degree in Philosophy and Theology.
Within the Civil clerking, Josh heads up the clerking of the Employment Law team.
Outside of Chambers Josh enjoys playing football and following his beloved Newcastle United where he has had a season ticket since he was a young boy. He also enjoys playing music as part of a band, predominantly playing drums but plays piano and sax as well.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'The service from the clerks is first rate. There is never any delay in replying to correspondence and they are always very helpful. Josh Stewart-Tilling is the lead employment clerk.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
Legal 500 2023
‘Clerking is first class. Steve Walker and Josh Stewart-Tilling provide a quick and helpful service.’
Aimee joined Trinity in 2021 as a Junior Clerk within the Civil team, after 1 year of working as a litigation paralegal in a well-regarded, Newcastle based law firm. Here she developed an eye for detail and great organisational skills, moreover she gained a sound understanding of court procedures and litigation paperwork.
Aimee achieved a first-class BA (Honours) degree in Children and Young People from Newcastle College University Centre in 2019. She completed a dissertation on the advantages and challenges of standardised testing in primary schools and comparatively researched the difference between testing in both Year 2 and Year 6. While studying for her BA degree, Aimee worked in a nursery for 2 years where she was able to enhance her communication skills and teamworking abilities.
Outside of chambers Aimee enjoys walking her dog along the beach, socialising with friends, and travelling.
Legal 500 2024
‘Paul McNab, Aimee Bloxham and Josh Stewart-Tilling are always on the end of the phone or email to help us find barristers with availability, even at short notice.’
Chris had over 9 years experience as a Senior Clerk in a barristers chambers in Middlesbrough before joining Trinity Chambers. Prior to that Chris worked in the Lord Chancellors Department, now HM Courts and Tribunals Service, at Teesside Combined Court Centre for over 10 years. During that time Chris covered most areas but the majority of his experience was gained in dealing with Criminal and Family Law matters. Chris’ latter years in the LCD were spent in the Listing Office at Teesside Crown Court where he developed his skills which ultimately saw him transferring to his role in a barristers chambers.
Chris is a member of the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Outside of work Chris enjoys playing cricket for Marske Cricket Club in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League, watching football and rugby and socialising.
Legal 500 2024
‘Liam Gorman and Chris Gibbin are always on hand to deal with last minute issues, and have an excellent working relationship with local courts.’
Legal 500 2022
'Chris Gibbin is an extremely helpful and experienced clerk.'
'The Teesside branch is spearheaded by Chris Gibbin who is extremely helpful and efficient.'
Chambers & Partners 2022
'I cannot fault the clerking services – Chris Gibbin in Middlesbrough is very helpful, offers prompt responses and is always willing to assist.'
Steve Preen joined Trinity in October 2011 after earning a position of considerable respect in HM Court Service where he worked for 17 years; he has come to Trinity with a very sound knowledge of Court procedures, especially on the Civil side.
Outside of Chambers Steve enjoys playing football at a semi professional level. He has undertaken an FA coaching certificate and coaches youngsters on a voluntary basis at a local club. He also enjoys spending time with his family and two children.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
'Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
'Steven Preen and Paula McLure are at the top of their game and will go the extra mile to ensure representation is available.'
Legal 500 2024
‘Steve Preen is fantastic.’
‘Steve Preen is outstanding, he is highly personable and very helpful. A credit to chambers.’
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, and Ken McLafferty, clerk, are particularly responsive to any queries and are always very accommodating.'
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely friendly and helpful.’‘The clerks provide a good service; Steven Preen and Paula McLure are always incredibly helpful and respond quickly to requests.’ ‘Steven Preen is friendly and approachable, and there to help where he can.’
Legal 500 2022
'The family clerking is led by the dynamic Steven Preen and the unflappable Ken McLafferty who compliment each other to great effect.'
'Ken McLafferty and Steve Preen are excellent. They are friendly, accommodating and efficient.'
Ken joined Trinity in March 2007 after seven years clerking in Durham, culminating in being the Senior Clerk and taking on all the responsibilities so required. Working in Durham gave him the opportunity to return to the city where he spent three years enjoying life under the guise of studying for his degree in Theology and Religious Studies.
When not following the trials and tribulations of his chosen football and baseball teams Ken enjoys cooking and tending to the charges in his allotment - where he fights a losing, and seemingly never-ending, battle against the elements, weeds, and caterpillars.
Chambers & Partners 2024
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, Ken McLafferty, clerk, and Paula McLure, clerk, are excellent. They are always very accommodating and very helpful.'
Steven Preen, Ken McLafferty and Paula McLure all offer a brilliant service. They are very responsive and go out of their way to assist.'
Chambers & Partners 2023
'Steven Preen, lead family clerk, and Ken McLafferty, clerk, are particularly responsive to any queries and are always very accommodating.'
Legal 500 2022
'The family clerking is led by the dynamic Steven Preen and the unflappable Ken McLafferty who compliment each other to great effect.'
'Ken McLafferty and Steve Preen are excellent. They are friendly, accommodating and efficient.'
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