7.10.2024
Disabled Woman Wins £34,000 Benefits Case
The Background to the Case In 2019 Ramona Cerbu was crossing the road when she was hit by a car and...
Read moreSam O’Flaherty
Sam is a highly regarded solicitor specialising in public law, housing law, welfare benefits and community care.
In recognition of his commitment and achievements, Sam was the only solicitor shortlisted for the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) Awards 2022 in the ‘Legal Aid Newcomer’ category.
Sam has a reputation for achieving meaningful outcomes not only for his individual clients but also for wider groups affected by unlawful policies and systemic failings. His public law work regularly involves high-profile challenges against local authorities and the Home Office, often securing urgent relief for vulnerable individuals and families facing destitution or homelessness.
In R(Ibrahim) v City of Westminster [2021] EWHC 2616 (Admin) Sam successfully argued that new medical evidence could require a local authority to accept a fresh homelessness application, even if circumstances have not changed since a previous application was refused. This clarified an important point in homelessness law. In R(Shadacia White) v London Borough of Brent [2021] EWHC (Admin) Sam acted for an 18 year old and overturned a social housing policy that had unlawfully excluded over 1,200 homeless households from social housing since 2013.
His work has also led to refugee families being rehoused from dangerous asylum support accommodation, and to the Home Office being compelled to address prolonged and harmful delays in immigration decision-making—restoring clients’ ability to work, access benefits, and rebuild their lives.
Sam’s housing practice includes defending possession proceedings, securing repairs and compensation in disrepair claims, and challenging gatekeeping and unlawful homelessness decisions. He regularly acts as a duty solicitor at a local County Court, providing on-the-spot advocacy for unrepresented tenants at risk of losing their homes.
With detailed knowledge of the intricacies of the welfare benefits system, Sam regularly advises clients on navigating complex entitlements and disputes. He has secured positive outcomes in numerous Tribunal appeals, often making the difference between destitution and stability for his clients.
Sam joined Osbornes Law in 2020, having previously worked in the housing and public law departments of two respected London firms, and as a caseworker at a housing advice charity in Leicester before that. He graduated with First Class Honours in Law from the University of Kent in 2014 and achieved Distinction in the Legal Practice Course in 2016.
He is a member of the Housing Law Practitioners Association (HLPA), a legal aid supervisor, and a mentor with the Young Legal Aid Lawyers’ scheme.
Personal Interests
Sam is fluent in Italian and speaks conversational French and Spanish. He enjoys playing rugby and pursuing the outdoors, having completed both the 24-hour UK Three Peaks Challenge and the ‘Fan Dance’—an endurance event used in SAS selection. In his downtime, he enjoys hiking and spending time with friends and family.
"Sam, Brilliant solicitor!
I am so grateful to have Mr Sam O'flaherty as my lawyer. He talked on my behalf for my housing case, the outcome was great. He is very professional and brilliant solicitor!"
“His service is impeccable. He is extremely thorough in his investigations … I would highly recommend his services and that of the Osborne Law in general to anyone who needs legal representation to address such matters.”
“Our teams feels that Sam’s passion to affect social justice for his clients and society as a whole is at the forefront of his work”
"He is among the best junior solicitors I have ever worked with over many years of practice”
“I have been extremely impressed not only by his legal and intellectual ability but also his clear commitment to the cause not only of individual claimants and defendant tenants but the wider implication for other persons affected by unlawful acts of public bodies. Sam is truly a rising star in the world of homelessness, social housing and community care”
“Sam assured me and was respectful, thoughtful and had a lot of patience with my disabilities and injurys supporting me beyond his title as lawyer he help me with advice on how to keep my paper work organised and also explain everything in a language I was able to understand he understood my mental health and traumas and at all times been caring to words my pain I am truly grateful for his works and I highly recommend his services”
My case was handled by Sam O'Flaherty. He was professional throughout, I was regularly kept up to date, he was friendly, competent and positive in what was a difficult and tricky case culminating in an excellently successful result. Thank you very much you are highly recommended.
Samuel O'Flaherty has managed 3 different claims regarding housing (possession/eviction order) and benefits entitlement to date. His service is impeccable. He is extremely thorough in his investigations and has achieved two successful outcomes for the client so far. I have complete faith that success with the third outcome will be achieved through his diligence and commitment to providing a top quality service. I would highly recommend his services and that of the Osborne Law in general to anyone who needs legal representation to address such matters.
“I am very happy with the service I was provided by Sam, he is very good at his job. Really impressed with the service.”
“Best lawyer, Thank you for your wonderful work Sam O’Flaherty.”
“Osbornes represented me in a housing matter against a local authority for over 3 years. They provided an excellent service and a better result than expected. I’m especially grateful to have had the help of their solicitor Sam O’Flaherty who pursued my case relentlessly and was always very approachable and clear in his explanations of what is going on at each stage. I really recommend them.”
"Sam will keep fighting for his clients after many others would have thrown the towel in, and is exceptionally creative in finding a route to success."
I received an excellent service with Osbornes law, and more specifically Samuel O'Flaherty. Samuel's communication with me was awesome he was efficient and supportive in decisions making Samuel help me and my son to secure a home even when I almost lost hope, l will would highly recommend Osbornes law especially Samuel. am very pleased with the service I received. Thank you Samuel.
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