Alex Panayi

Solicitor
Housing and Social Care
Property Litigation

Contact Alex

  • ‘Osbornes are very approachable; in a time where many firms are unwilling to take on cases that do not look promising, they are prepared to look at difficult situations and find a way to assist their clients.

    Legal 500 2023

  • "Osbornes is one of the firms that I consistently recommend. Excellent service, and thorough and knowledgable lawyers."

    Legal 500 2023

  • ‘From the very first moment, I was aware and grateful to have been put in touch with Osbornes. The expertise, advice, leaving no stone unturned right from the first minute until the very last, I would most certainly recommend every single time.’

    Legal 500 2023

  • "The associates have a thorough knowledge of the area of law, communicate effectively and are incredibly easy to work with."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "They are a firm that likes a challenge and are prepared to do the groundwork to develop cases, even if it means much preparation without remuneration."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "It is clear the firm put the interests of the client first at all times."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "There’s a real sense of team ethic. It’s clear that internal communication and case recording are strong because if a solicitor handling a case is away the person covering is fully up to speed, has the necessary documents available to them and nothing falls through the cracks."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "If a short deadline comes up on an urgent case, solicitors are active in collaborating to ensure it can be met."

    Legal 500 2023

  • "The practice is ‘undoubtedly one of the best in the business‘ and has a strong reputation for complex disrepair cases and possession claims against local authorities and housing associations."

    Legal 500 2023

  • Very strong team – incredibly knowledgable with good cross-over knowledge in mental capacity and community care. Thorough, dedicated and very professional. Clients will feel they are getting a gold standard service.

    Legal 500 2022

  • Shilpa really helped us take charge of the situation and helped resolve this property dispute. I would not hesitate to recommend her or the team to anyone in a similar situation.

    David A, Trustpilot Review

  • On first meeting Shilpa I was sure that she understood immediately my requirements, and was sympathetic both to my financial restraints and my emotional state. She achieved everything I asked of her and proved to be invaluable, professional and efficient

    P Ashcroft, Trustpilot Review

  • At every step Shilpa alleviated any concerns and stresses we had. Always fast to respond, always professional and super knowledgeable.

    Trustpilot review

  • Shilpa has helped us through some key property litigation matters (residential and commercial) since 2014 and has delivered on every occasion. One particular issue had kept us in a state of stress and tension for almost a decade and after getting in touch with Shilpa she was able to help us bring the matter to a peaceful and successful conclusion.

    Trustpilot review

  • I received a call from Shilpa Mathuradas a couple of hours after filling the enquiry form for a callback. She actively listened to my party wall concerns responding with gentle professionalism, answering my concerns, letting me know what is and is not possible and when best to bring in a solicitor. All this within 10 minutes. Excellent.

    Trustpilot review

  • "Osbornes are an exceptional team. They have a wealth of housing experience and knowledge that is ‘top notch’. Clients are safe in their hands. As colleagues, they have a fantastic working relationship with each other and, feeding off of each other’s expert knowledge, their solicitors work to ensure that no stone is unturned."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "The team at Osbornes is inspired by its leader Will Ford, a truly first-rate, modern lawyer’s lawyer. The team have blossomed under his Will and are now packed with conscientious, dedicated and excellent lawyers who always give their clients 100%."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Alex McMahon – thorough and committed. Very easy to work with."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "William Ford - A good technical lawyer with a strong commitment to his clients"

    Legal 500 2021

  • "A committed and well-organised team with a good knowledge of the law and who work hard to secure a good outcome for their clients"

  • "Osbornes has an impressive social housing team and the quality of their work that I have seen is very high. Will Ford is a very well-regarded figure in the housing law world and leads a team of high quality and committed lawyers."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "Osbornes provide an incredibly high-quality service to their clients. The firm treats its legal aid clients with the same respect and commitment as if they were important private clients, which is rare and admirable. Their housing solicitors are also highly skilled and knowledgable."

    Legal 500 2021

  • "He goes the extra mile for his clients."

    Chambers UK 2021

  • "He is an excellent lawyer with exceptional attention to detail. He leaves no stone unturned in finding the right solution for his clients."

    Chambers UK 2021

  • "This is an outstanding firm with great attention to detail. They work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients. They have excellent client care skills and are extremely organised."

    Chambers UK 2021

  • “Osbornes has an impressive social housing team and the quality of their work that I have seen is very high. Will Ford is a very well-regarded figure in the housing law world and leads a team of high quality and committed lawyers. The existence of family and property law teams at the firm, amongst others, means that they are able to offer a holistic and expert approach to their clients.”

    Legal 500 2021 - William Ford

  • William Ford is "highly committed to his clients and leaves no stone unturned in seeking to assist them with their problems"

    Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, William Ford

  • William Ford "is an astute litigator, and his breadth of knowledge allows him to take a holistic approach to clients’ situations."

    Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, William Ford

  • "They are at the forefront of legal developments in the field of social housing and community care. They are committed to using their multidisciplinary expertise to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients."

    Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, Social Welfare

  • "This a great team - the quality of their work is amazing and they are very professional"

    Chambers & Partners Directory 2020, Social Welfare

  • "They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."

    Chambers UK

  • "An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."

    Chambers UK

  • "William Ford frequently represents tenants in possession proceedings, homelessness appeals and disrepair claims... and is praised for his dynamic and hard-working approach."

    Chambers UK

  • "Osbornes team is noted for cross-practice expertise in areas such as housing and community care, which it brings to bear in disrepair, possession and homelessness cases involving vulnerable adults, individuals with language difficulties, the elderly and those with no recourse to public funds."

    The Legal 500

  • "The absolutely brilliant William Ford."

    The Legal 500

  • Excellent in every aspect.

    Property Department Client

  • I was very happy with the excellent service from Osbornes in my disrepair case. They obtained a great result in my case and always pushed hard for my rights.

    Disrepair Client

  • The social housing team is friendly, approachable and genuinely care about its clients.

    Chambers UK

  • A broad knowledge places the social housing department one step ahead of others when it comes to community care knowledge.

    Chambers UK

  • The social housing department always go the extra mile.

    Chambers UK

  • The social housing team has a strong track record in representing tenants in claims against local authorities and housing associations, with particular expertise in complex disrepair and possession cases.

    Legal 500

  • The social housing department provides an excellent service and is able to react quickly in critical situations.

    Legal 500

  • Thanks for all your support during this very difficult time for my family.

    Housing and Social Care Client

  • William Ford receives effusive praise for his dedication and commitment to social housing. Interviewees highlight his technical understanding and background in housing law, and describe him as highly impressive."

    Chambers UK

  • The team understand vulnerable clients and young people, and on the front line they are prompt and efficient.

    Housing and Social Care client

  • Edward Taylor undertook my case from an almost unwinnable position. From our first meeting, Edward's enthusiasm was apparent. He was determined, diligent and most professional when dealing with my case, keeping me informed at every stage. I wholeheartedly thank Edward for his endeavours and would not hesitate in recommending him and Osbornes Solicitors to others.

    Housing and Social Care Department Client

  • Osbornes Solicitors give us the confidence and strength to continue and input the belief that the case would turn in our favour … What was most important was the transparency in communication that Osbornes provided.

    Housing and Social Care Department Client

  • Osbornes Solicitors are the pinnacle of professionalism and have gone beyond to assist with this case … I felt that I wasn't only dealing with just one dedicated solicitor but I had a good knowledgeable team behind me at all times.

    Housing and Social Care Department Client

  • I have been extremely impressed with the level of patience and guidance provided in the case … I would like to thank you for your sympathetic approach and understanding towards my mother’s case and I would strongly recommend Osbornes Solicitors to anybody.

    Housing and Social Care Department Client

  • 'First-class lawyer' William Ford is 'completely dedicated to making a positive difference', and is acting in cases challenging the 'bedroom tax'.

    Legal 500

  • Osbornes is commended for its 'rare level of commitment'.

    Legal 500

  • If I had another reason to have to seek legal advice again, I wouldn’t hesitate to use Shilpa, and would recommend her to anybody who needed legal advice.

    Property Litigation client

  • Shilpa was professional, realistic, and unflappable. Shilpa managed to persuade a reluctant witness to come forward to support my case. She obviously knows her subject very well.

    Property Litigation client

  • I always had full confidence in Shilpa keeping my best interests at heart. I often didn’t understand the legal language, and she would follow this up with a phone call and patiently explain.

    Property Litigation client

  • William acts on possession, disrepair and homelessness cases, and has particular expertise in the protection of tenancy deposits under the Housing Act 2004

    Chambers UK

Alex’s notable cases

  • Hajjaj v City of Westminster; Akhter v LB Waltham Forest [2021] EWCA 1688A successful appeal to the Court of Appeal to overturn a previous County Court decision relating to the steps a Local Authority are required to take when assessing whether an offer of private rented accommodation is suitable. The court confirmed that a Local Authority cannot make assumptions to satisfy themselves that the criteria in Article 3 of the Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2012 are complied with.

Contact Alex today

For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






    Related InsightsVIEW ALL

    1. 28.9.2023

      Disrepair case against Landlord and Freeholder successfully settled

      Osbornes Law represented a private tenant who lived with his young son. The property suffered from severe disrepair including leaking/...

      Read more
    2. service charges
      22.8.2023

      “Reasonableness” of Service Charges

      It is well known that the relevant costs that a landlord incurs in the provision of services, repairs improvements, maintenance...

      Read more
    3. Japanese Knotweed
      5.2.2023

      Japanese Knotweed: Knot in my backyard again!

      Many will have read the recent case in which a furniture designer pursued his seller successfully after he moved into...

      Read more
    4. Business people hands applauding at meeting
      14.7.2022

      20 Years of Celebrating Legal Aid Lawyers

      This year the litigation team at Osbornes attended the 20th anniversary of the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2022 (“LALY 2022”)...

      Read more
    5. london property
      9.6.2022

      TOLATA Claims

      What are trusts of land? Property ownership is not always a straightforward legal issue, particularly where the parties are cohabitees...

      Read more
    6. right to light
      8.6.2022

      Right to Light Explained

      Right to Light Law in the UK Property owners have a legal right to light as set out in the...

      Read more
    7. flats in a london street
      8.6.2022

      Landlords and the Dangers of Rent-to-Rent

      Rent-to-Rent refers to the practice of landlords letting a whole property to a tenant (usually a limited company), which is...

      Read more
    8. Green ecological house in empty field
      9.11.2021

      Can I still claim adverse possession?

      The principle of “adverse possession” commonly known as “squatters rights” is a principle which allows a person who does not...

      Read more
    9. party wall disputes
      5.10.2021

      Buying a property where a Party Wall Award...

      Buying a house with a party wall agreement Buying a property can already be a stressful process but finding out...

      Read more
    10. mould
      19.8.2021

      Housing Disrepair Scandal in South London

      Following an investigation by ITV nearly 500 homes in the Eastfields Estate in Mitcham, south London, owned by the housing association...

      Read more
    11. people talking
      26.6.2021

      The Risks Of Buying Properties Off Plan!

      The Daily Mail reported that 300 families a week have to move into shoddy newly built homes. Not all will have...

      Read more
    12. Carole Patterson
      7.5.2021

      Costly clauses missed by lawyers in leasehold contracts

      A mum has been left facing a bill of millions of pounds a year for the ground rent of her...

      Read more
    13. london apartments
      22.12.2020

      Housing disrepair issues resolved after three years

      Osbornes were instructed on behalf of a disabled tenant who had been decanted from her temporary accommodation for some three...

      Read more
    14. plot of land
      8.5.2020

      Easements – Five Questions Answered

      What is an easement? An easement is a right benefitting a piece of land (known as the dominant land) that...

      Read more
    15. london house
      30.3.2020

      I have a disrepair issue can I withhold...

      Withholding rent is not your best course of action. I see the logic in using the non-payment of rent as...

      Read more
    16. 6.2.2020

      ‘Glass in Hand’ Lecture – Should we be nervous...

      Hampstead residents will be able to find out about their legal rights when trees damage or overhang their property, next...

      Read more
    17. 11.10.2019

      Government eviction reforms “risk increasing delays”

      Government plans to end so-called ‘no fault’ evictions – and at the same time expand what amounts to a good reason...

      Read more
    18. 13.8.2019

      Squatting-will the new law provide homeowners with increased...

      On Saturday 1 September 2012 a new law came into force which makes squatting in a residential building an offence punishable by...

      Read more
    19. 13.8.2019

      Osbornes win 5 day trial in property dispute at...

      In 1985 clients of Osbornes, Mr and Mrs Ali-Khan, purchased a house. For various reasons they were not able to obtain...

      Read more
    20. 13.8.2019

      Canary Wharf v EMA

      EMA Decision: Brexit Does Not Frustrate Commercial Property Lease The largely anticipated decision in the case of Canary Wharf v...

      Read more
    21. 13.8.2019

      Rogue landlord ordered to pay tenant over £20,000 in...

      A team of our housing solicitors were successful in a longstanding claim against a rogue landlord concerning a conduct of...

      Read more
    22. 12.8.2019

      Basement developments- How to fight back

      Basement developments are growing ever more popular, particularly in wealthy London boroughs, leaving homeowners fearful that neighbours’ excavation projects will...

      Read more
    23. 18.7.2019

      New Builds, Poor Standards!

      This week’s Dispatches programme examined allegations of shoddy standards, poor customer care and excessive profits from one of Britain’...

      Read more
    24. Ed
      23.5.2019

      Enforcement Proceedings issued against Housing Association

      Osbornes Law have successfully enforced a binding agreement reached with a housing association concerning works to remedy housing disrepair. In...

      Read more

    VIEW ALL