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 and property litigation work, specialising in landlord and tenant and trust of land disputes. His work includes:

• Housing disrepair (acting for tenants, leaseholders and landlords)
• Housing possession
• Homelessness
• Unlawful eviction
• Proceedings under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996
• Judicial Review proceedings 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.

In addition William specialises in public law  cases (in relation to which Osbornes has a legal aid contract), as well as having considerable experience and knowledge of the 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 such issues overlap in cases concerning housing,  community care or welfare benefit entitlements.

William is a member of the executive of the Housing Lawyers Practitioners Association (HLPA). He also advises at Camden Citizens Advice Bureau and is a duty advocate 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.

Reported Cases

• 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) – 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.

What the directories say:

“William Ford has an impressive track record handling a variety of possession, homelessness and unlawful eviction matters. He is also adept at community care cases where these issues intersect with housing law. Sources praise him for being ‘completely on top of the law and a very good negotiator who gets the most for his clients.'”

Chambers UK 2018

“William Ford is a ‘tenacious litigator with a lovely manner that, combined with intelligence, knowledge and pragmatism, makes him a pleasure to work with.'”

Legal 500 2017

“The ‘very thorough’ and ‘incredibly committed’ William Ford is a respected practitioner acting predominantly for tenants facing possession and eviction proceedings, homeless applicants or clients who are making disrepair claims. He understands the links between different parts of the law and housing – how your immigration status might link to housing, for example, or how care provisions might link to housing.”
Chambers UK 2017

“Associate 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 & Partners 2015

“William Ford is impressive and devoted to the sector.”
Chambers & Partners 2014

“William acts on possession, disrepair and homelessness cases, and has particular expertise in the protection of tenancy deposits under the Housing Act 2004.”
Chambers & Partners 2014

“William Ford really loves what he does.”
Chambers & Partners 2014

“William Ford is ‘committed to clients, and achieves great results.”
Legal 500 2011 directory

“William is deeply committed to clients.”
Legal 500 2012 edition