29.4.2021
High Court challenge the denial of...
The High Court is to decide whether it was lawful of the Government not to give nearly 2million people on...
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“The team at Osbornes is inspired by its leader Will Ford, a truly first-rate, modern lawyer’s lawyer.”
“He is brilliant – he’s really intelligent and has great strategic capabilities.”
William Ford
William is an experienced housing and public law solicitor who is committed to achieving great results for his clients. He often acts in cases where clients are extremely vulnerable and require action to be taken at very short notice. He takes a practical approach to cases from the outset and believes in the importance of providing clear and concise advice to his clients at all stages of litigation.
- Specialist in housing, community care, welfare benefits and public law
- Named as a leading individual in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories
- A finalist in 2016 for Legal Aid Lawyer of the year in the category of Children’s rights
William undertakes all types of housing work. He specialises in landlord and tenant cases, as well as having knowledge of trust of land disputes. He has particular expertise in assisting those facing homelessness or eviction from their home, as well as housing disrepair (acting for tenants, leaseholders, and landlords) and Judicial Review claims involving housing law.
William is also a community care specialist, with expertise in cases involving the rights of children and care leavers under the Children Act 1989. He also deals with cases involving adult social services to ensure that clients with disabilities receive the care and support to which they are legally entitled.
Additionally William specialises in public law as well as having considerable experience and knowledge of cases concerning welfare benefits. He has experience in bringing judicial review claims against local authorities and other public bodies and is committed to acting for extremely vulnerable children or adult clients with specialist needs. He has a particular interest in cases with an EU law or immigration element, often where these issues overlap in cases concerning housing, community care or welfare benefits entitlement.
William also works to identify strategic litigation challenges with a view to positively changing the law in appropriate cases.
William is a member of the executive of the Housing Lawyers Practitioners Association (HLPA). He also represents client on the duty advocate scheme at the County Court at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch.
William joined Osbornes as a trainee in 2004, qualified as a solicitor in 2006, and was made a partner at the firm in 2016.
"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%."
"William Ford - A good technical lawyer with a strong commitment to his 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. 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.”
William Ford is "highly committed to his clients and leaves no stone unturned in seeking to assist them with their problems"
William Ford "is an astute litigator, and his breadth of knowledge allows him to take a holistic approach to clients’ situations."
"He is one of the most passionate lawyers I've ever worked with. He's a rare commodity."
"William Ford frequently represents tenants in possession proceedings, homelessness appeals and disrepair claims... and is praised for his dynamic and hard-working approach."
"The absolutely brilliant William Ford."
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."
'First-class lawyer' William Ford is 'completely dedicated to making a positive difference', and is acting in cases challenging the 'bedroom tax'.
William acts on possession, disrepair and homelessness cases, and has particular expertise in the protection of tenancy deposits under the Housing Act 2004
William Ford is impressive and devoted to the sector.
Accreditations
William is ranked in the Chambers UK guide:
“He is brilliant – he’s really...
“He is brilliant – he’s really intelligent and has great strategic capabilities.”
William Ford is "highly committed to...
William Ford is "highly committed to his clients and leaves no stone unturned in seeking to assist them with their problems"
William Ford "is an astute litigator,...
William Ford "is an astute litigator, and his breadth of knowledge allows him to take a holistic approach to clients’ situations."
"He is one of the most...
"He is one of the most passionate lawyers I've ever worked with. He's a rare commodity."
"William Ford frequently represents tenants in...
"William Ford frequently represents tenants in possession proceedings, homelessness appeals and disrepair claims... and is praised for his dynamic and hard-working approach."
William’s reported cases
Ward, Gullu and others v London Borough of Hillingdon [2019] EWCA Civ 692
Successful appeal in the Court of Appeal which established that the London Borough of Hillingdon’s social housing allocation scheme unlawfully discriminated on the basis of race.
Barrow v Kazim [2018] EWCA Civ 2414
First authority from Court of Appeal confirming that a section 21 notice cannot be served by a superior landlord directly on subtenants during the term of a mesne tenancy in relation to an assured shorthold tenancy.
Bagum v Hafiz and Hai [2015] EWCA Civ 801
A landmark Court of Appeal decision concerning powers of the Court under s14 of the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 in relation to orders for sale.
SSWP v SFF and others [2015] UKUT 502 (AAC)
Successful test case before the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) concerning the maternity rights of EEA nationals exercising their rights to freedom of movement and the domestic scope of the decision by the Court of Justice of the EU in Saint Prix C-507/12.
Gladehurst Properties Ltd v Hashemi [2011] EWCA Civ
A leading Court of Appeal decision concerning the interpretation of the Housing Act 2004 in relation to tenancy deposits, which was credited as bringing about a change in the law in this area.
William is a Leading Individual in Legal 500:
"The team at Osbornes is inspired...
"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%."
"William Ford - A good technical...
"William Ford - A good technical lawyer with a strong commitment to his clients"
“Osbornes has an impressive social housing...
“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.”
"The absolutely brilliant William Ford."
"The absolutely brilliant William Ford."
'First-class lawyer' William Ford is 'completely...
'First-class lawyer' William Ford is 'completely dedicated to making a positive difference', and is acting in cases challenging the 'bedroom tax'.
William's InsightsVIEW ALL
- 29.1.2021
What does the national lockdown mean...
The coronavirus pandemic has caused disruption to all elements of life, and possession proceedings are no exception. The number of...
Read more - 23.12.2020
EU Nationals with Pre-Settled Status entitled...
Court Judgment means EU Nationals with Pre-Settled Status can access benefits and housing On 18 December 2020 the Court of Appeal handed...
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22.12.2020Young mother secures accommodation after illegal...
Here at Osbornes we have seen illegal evictions on the increase during this global pandemic. Osbornes have been advising many...
Read more- 22.12.2020
Osbornes applying to Supreme Court in...
In the case of Gateway Housing Association –v- Begum (2) the Court of Appeal recently decided that a tenant must leave...
Read more - 22.12.2020
Housing disrepair issues resolved after three...
Osbornes were instructed on behalf of a disabled tenant who had been decanted from her temporary accommodation for some three...
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