Ben has been consistently recognised by the Legal 500 as a Rising Star in this field. He regularly represents Local Authorities and Housing Authorities in applications for Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions. His background as a Presenting Officer for the Teaching Regulation Authority makes him well placed to understand the nuances of representing public bodies that have to protect the interests of the wider public whilst ensuring fairness to the Defendant.
He also acts for landlords and tenants in possession matters, including where there are counterclaims for disrepair. He is experienced in advising on and drafting appeals in statutory homelessness matters.
Case examples include:
- L (2024): Secured an ouster ASBI in respect of an individual thought to be utilising their partner’s address as a base away from their own home to deal drugs and utilise local children for distribution.
- C (2024): Negotiated outcome in a complex matter involving the conflict between a life tenancy and subsequently signed AST.
- R (2023): Factually complicated and sensitive ASBI application in which the tenant was the daughter of the Defendant who had a history of arson and abusive behaviour. The authority sought to uphold its duty to the daughter as its tenant by protecting her from the actions of her cohabitant mother in circumstances where the daughter was seeking to defend her mother’s position. Ouster ASBI secured.
- O (2023): Instruction as extremely short notice to secure an ex-parte ouster ASBI against a violent tenant. Order secured from a reluctant court by negotiating procedural safeguards.
- J (2022): 5th set of possession proceedings against a mother of 4 children understood to be anti-social behaviour ringleaders on an estate with high crime rates who repeatedly sought to suspend warrants for possession. Successfully defended against an ambush Equality Act defence and negotiated the tenant agreeing to leave with an undertaking not to apply to suspend the warrant.
- W (2022): Advice and drafting an appeal in an interesting statutory homelessness matter involving an EU national who obtained worker status but suffered severe health difficulties in their first week of work. The case raised complicated questions about social welfare for pre-Brexit arrivals in a post-Brexit nation.
Qualifications
LLB Law (Hons.): First Class
LLM International Human Rights Law and Practice: Merit
Bar Professional Training Course: Very Competent
Recommendations
Tier 1 Rising Star in the Legal 500 consistently since 2022 in the ‘Family: Children and Domestic Violence’ and ‘Social Housing’ categories.
Shortlisted for the Rising Star of the Year Award 2023 at the Private Client Modern Law Awards 2023.
Quotes
“Ben has excellent communication skills. He is prompt, clear, accurate and helpful. He has a lovely, calm and reassuring manner with clients. He inspires the utmost confidence that he has read everything and is on top of their case.”
Legal 500 2024
“Well regarded for his ‘extensive knowledge of occupation orders’ and ability with vulnerable clients.”
“Ben has a great manner with clients and always gives a full note of the hearing and quickly updates following hearing.”
Legal 500 2023
‘Extremely good with clients, understands their concerns and ensures they understand even the most complicated of circumstances. Excellent attention to detail in a case.’
Legal 500 2022
“The client commented that Counsel was very professional and that his knowledge of his case was great. This case involved many issues and we were very pleased with how Ben has managed the progression of the case. The client has been provided with clear advice and I feel that he has managed the client’s expectations really well.
Ben was prompt to provide a detailed note of the Hearing and has kept us fully informed regarding the drafting of the Order. His aftercare of the client has also been really good as he has contacted him to go through the Order which I think has been really helpful for this particular client. Overall we are really pleased with Ben’s representation and look forward to his ongoing assistance.”
Joanne Wilbraham, Ellis-Fermor & Negus
“I thought Ben was excellent and handled a very nervous client extremely well.”
Local Managing Partner & Solicitor
“I recently instructed Ben to represent a wife, who had previously been a litigant in person, at a final financial remedy hearing. The outcome was excellent. Ben is an effective advocate, able to listen to client’s instructions/
needs and then deliver the same in an engaging and considered way. The client was so pleased and commented that Ben was “amazing” and that she felt so relieved to have him representing her. I would not hesitate to recommend Ben.”
Florence Ashcroft-Lane, Stowe Family Law
“Ben demonstrated excellent client care and explained complex legal matters to the client clearly and concisely. Very down to earth, thoroughly prepared and great attention to detail. I would not hesitate to instruct Ben again!”
Sarah McLoughlin, Stowe Family Law
Appointments
Judge of the Employment Tribunal.
Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber).
Memberships
Family Law Bar Association.
The Honourable Society of Middle Temple.
Awards
Sir Joseph Cantley Memorial Prize, Middle Temple.
Nottingham Law School Scholarship, NLS.
1st Place, Lex Senior Negotiation Competition, NLS.
NSLS Best Plea in Mitigation Award.
Jeremy R Hyde CBE Award for the Legal Advice Centre, University of Hull.
Reported Cases
Housing
Rogerson v Bolsover District Council [2019] EWCA Civ 226 (Court of Appeal): Instructed as junior representing Claimant in a Defective Premises Act matter. The CoA used the opportunity to re-confirm the law in this area (https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2019/226.html).
Regulatory
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v (1) Talbi (2) Bernhardt (2022): Mr Nacerdine Talbi: Professional conduct panel outcome (publishing.service.gov.uk); LON_LIB1\26332993\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v Smith (2021): CAR_LIB1\18833464\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v Walker (2021): CAR_LIB1\19322017\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v Marshall (2020): CAR_LIB1\17215851\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Teaching Regulation Authority (“TRA”) v Marhsall (2020): CAR_LIB1\17215851\1 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Privacy Notice
Click here to view the Privacy Notice for Ben Chapman.