The purpose of these Masterclasses is for colleagues across the sector – whether they are interested in working with landlords or tenants or homelessness applicants – to gain greater knowledge about the ins and outs of Housing Law in Wales. There will be a mix of lectures and training seminars. The cost of attending the Masterclasses has been pegged at £30 to encourage maximum participation because we believe that greater knowledge of Housing Law in Wales will be of benefit to everybody. You don’t have to be a member of HLPA or SHLA to participate.
The backdrop
There is a major skills gap in the provision of housing law advice in Wales. There are legal aid housing advice deserts. Researchers report a lack of understanding of the housing legislation even among legal professionals. This is a massive problem considering how much new law there now is, how technical it can be, and how much new legislation is in the pipeline. We have our own law on homelessness, renting, registration, and disrepair. Much of our legislation is rightly styled as “progressive”. However, there is a skills gap which we need to fill.
A group of outstanding practitioners have come together to help fill this gap and provide these masterclasses. You will get our training notes and refreshments during the day rolled in to the price (although you will need to arrange your own accommodation). We will cover:
- Possession proceedings
- Homelessness
- Disrepair
- Tenancy fraud
- Supported housing
- ASB
- Housing standards, registration and licensing
If you have something on those areas you would like us to discuss, let us know in advance by emailing
The full programme for the Masterclasses will be available shortly.
Who should attend?
The conference is aimed at all those involved in, or want to be involved in, housing law. It is relevant to solicitors, barristers, paralegals and advisers in the voluntary, public and private sectors, together with academics, policy workers, experts and campaigners in the housing and social welfare fields.
The provisional programme currently includes the following speakers:
Tim Baldwin, Garden Court Chambers
Justin Bates KC, Landmark Chambers
Kuljit Bhogal KC, Cornerstone Chambers
Sally Blackmore, Enterprise Chambers
Melanie Cant, Mel Cant Training
Alistair Cantor, Cornerstone Chambers
David Cowan, Cardiff University & Doughty Street Chambers
Rosalee Dorfman, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
Elizabeth England, Five Paper Buildings
Crash Krylova, Landmark Chambers
Mike Norman, Harrow Law Centre
Tara O’Leary, Cornerstone Chambers
Ayesha Omar, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square
Rebecca Rees, Hugh James Solicitors
Katrina Robinson, Birketts Solicitors
Lee Russell, Devonshires Solicitors
Sarah Salmon, Cornerstone Chambers
David Smith, Bishop and Sewell Solicitors
Sarah Steinhardt, Doughty Street Chambers
Members of Civitas Chambers