EXPERTISE

Housing Law

Helen is an experienced housing lawyer and, having practised in this area for over 12 years, now specialises exclusively in Housing Law. She appears principally in the County Court and High Court, on the North East circuit and further afield, and has appeared in the Court of Appeal both as junior counsel and alone. Helen also acts in hearings in the Magistrates' court and is familiar with the procedures in that jurisdiction.

Her practice includes all aspects of Housing Law and extends to Judicial Review applications made by homeless applicants and relating to possession claims against travellers. Helen is instructed on behalf of landlords (private, local authority and registered social landlords) and tenants in equal measure. Her work involves all types of tenancy agreements and she is familiar with the varying rights of and interaction between Assured Shorthold (sometimes Starter) tenancies, Assured tenancies, Introductory, Demoted and Secure tenancies and non-secure periodic tenancies. She is experienced in the law relating to trespassers, licensees and the homeless.

A large proportion of Helen's work arises from allegations of Nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour, whether in the context of claims for injunctive relief and associated committal hearings, for demotion or possession orders, or for Anti-Social Behaviour or Closure Orders. Helen also acts in claims for possession involving issues of succession, loss of security and arrears of rent and other breaches of tenancy.

Helen is experienced in matters relating to homeless applications and in both bringing and defending appeals under section 204 of the Housing Act 1996. In the High Court Helen appears in Judicial Review claims relating to the provision of accommodation and is able to advise on and draft such applications at short notice.

In addition to claims for possession Helen is frequently instructed by both landlords and tenants in claims relating to disrepair, harassment, breach of covenant of quiet enjoyment and unlawful eviction. She is familiar with the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 and associated case law relating to the protection of deposits in private sector tenancies.

Helen has a particular interest in the impact of disability both physical and mental on the provision of accommodation and the basis on which injunction or possession orders can successfully be sought in such circumstances. She has been instructed both by and against individuals requiring the assistance of the Official Solicitor and is familiar with the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and Equality Act 2010.

Helen frequently acts in cases in which possession orders are sought against travellers. She was junior counsel in Court of Appeal in the case of Leeds City Council v. Hall, one of the group of cases which considered the applicability the Gateway B to Introductory and non-secure tenancies.

MEMBERSHIPS

  • Yorkshire Housing law Practitioners’Association

EDUCATION & AWARDS

  • Bar School (Ashworth Scholarship)
  • City University London, CPE / Diploma in Law
  • Inner Temple for the CPE
  • University of Edinburgh, B.Sc. Hons.,Chemistry

Clerking team

Paul McNab

Civil & Criminal Silks' Clerk

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0113 3235 955

Lead Civil Clerk

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0191 245 9589

Lead Employment Clerk & Civil Clerk

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0191 300 9359

Civil Clerk

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0191 245 9556

Clerk

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01642 247 569
  • "Helen Greatorex is diligent, intelligent and hard-working, with excellent client manners. She is a strategic thinker." "Helen Greatorex is excellent. She has extensive knowledge on social housing matters and adopts a no-nonsense, pragmatic approach which has resulted in many successful outcomes for us"

    Social Housing, Chambers & Partners 2024

  • "Helen has a strong intellect and a very thorough approach to litigation. She has an assertive yet measured advocacy style, and offers sound, pragmatic advice"

    Legal 500 2024

  • "Helen has broad experience across social housing law, a strong intellect and a very thorough approach to litigation. She also has an assertive but measured advocacy style to ensure the best prospects of a successful outcome. ""Helen is detailed and thorough, and very capable with the clients"

    Social Housing, Chambers UK 2023

  • "An exceptional courtroom advocate with depth and strength in her chosen field. Ranked: Tier 1 "

    Social Housing, Legal 500 2023

  • "She is fastidious in her approach and goes out of her way to engage with and explain matters to clients." "She has broad experience across social housing law, a strong intellect and a very thorough approach to litigation"

    Chambers & Partners 2022

  • "She has a strong intellect and an assertive yet measured advocacy style. She is always fully prepared and very thorough in her work."

    Legal 500 2022

  • "Helen has broad experience across social housing law, strong intellect and a very thorough approach to litigation. Helen has an assertive but measured advocacy style to ensure the best prospects of a successful outcome. She fully grasps the varied and often competing demands within social housing litigation and is able to offer sound, pragmatic advice"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "A housing law specialist with extensive expertise in the Equality Act 2010. She regularly deals with complex possession cases". “She is very professional, a skilful cross-examiner and very able"

    Chambers & Partners 2021

  • "A housing law specialist with extensive expertise in the Equality Act 2010. She regularly deals with complex possession cases." "She is intellectually able and identifies and articulates the essential issues effectively in complex and sensitive trials.""She is excellent – thoughtful and extremely thorough"

    Chambers & Partners 2020

  • Gill v. Leeds City Council [2007] EWHC 2693 (QB)
  • Kirklees Council v. Davis [2008] EWCA Civ 632
  • Wear Valley District Council v. Robson [2008] EWCA Civ 1470
  • Leeds City Council v. Hall [2010] EWCA Civ 336 (part of group of appeals including Salford City Council v. Mullen)

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