SHLA Annual Conference 2024
Thursday 14th March 2024, The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Programme may be subject to change
| Time | Session | Topic and Speakers | Chair |
| 9.00 am – 9.25 am | Registration | ||
| 9.30 am | Chair’s Welcome | Welcome | Co-Chair Lee Russell |
| 9.40 am – 10.20 am | Keynote Speaker | Keynote Address
Jonathan Walters, Regulator of Social Housing |
Lee Russell |
| 10.25 am – 11.25 am | Breakout Session 1 | Disrepair – Disclosure applications and Part 8 Claims Richard Dewsbery, St Ives Chambers Bethan Jones , Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP A key part of any disrepair claim are the records. This session will look at the importance of disclosure, how to deal with disclosure requests and what to do to if a disclosure application has been made at court. We will also update you on Part 8 claims with a reminder on when they can be used and the specific procedural rules that must be followed. Kindly sponsored by Five Paper |
Andrew Atkinson |
| 10.25 am – 11.25 am | Breakout Session 2 | Social Housing (Regulation) Act – What’s the impact? Ian Davis, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins Tara O’Leary, Cornerstone Barristers The Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 is a key part of the Government’s response to the Grenfell and Awaab Ishak tragedies for the social housing sector. It provides the legal framework for the new regulatory regime for social housing that comes into force on 1 April 2024. Ian Davis will discuss new requirements including the proactive regulatory regime and the professionalism requirements. Tara O’Leary will discuss the changes introduced by Awaab’s law and what we can expect following recent government consultation. Kindly sponsored by Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP |
Kuljit Bhogal KC |
| 11.30 am – 11.55 am | Break | ||
| 12.00 noon – 1.00 pm | Breakout Session 3 | Leasehold Reform Panel Discussion on what’s left of the Government’s agenda? Andrew Dymond, 4 5 Gray’s Inn Square. Professor Susan Bright, Oxford University, Clive Adams, Birkett’s Nicholas Grundy KC, Five Paper The distinguished and well-informed Panel will identify and explain key legislative changes in the Leasehold Reform Bill and the Renters Reform Bill that will impact upon RPs. The Panel will discuss the impact of this pending legislation on the Social Housing Sector and invite questions and contributions from delegates. Kindly sponsored by Devonshires |
Nicholas Grundy KC |
| 12.00 noon – 1.00 pm | Breakout Session 4 | The Criminal Justice Bill and the Impact for Social Housing Barbara Zeitler, Lamb Chambers Janine Green ASB Trainer and Consultant This session will cover the content of the Bill as well discussing the practical implications for social housing providers. Kindly sponsored by Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP |
Dorota Pawlowski |
| 1.05 pm – 2.05 pm | Lunch | Kindly sponsored by Remington Hall | |
| 2.10 pm – 3.10 pm | Breakout Session 5 | Equality Act Defences Clare Cullen, Field Court Chambers Dr Matthew Appleyard, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist The main mental health issues raised in Equality Act claims, how those are treated and defended. Kindly sponsored by Five Paper |
Elizabeth England |
| 2.10 pm – 3.10 pm | Breakout Session 6 | Tenancy Fraud and the Intention to Return Angela Piears, 42 BR Avril Drummond ACFS, Counter Fraud and Investigations Lead at Buckinghamshire Council An intention to return to a property is often used as a defence in tenancy fraud possession claims. Learn what is needed to prove such an intention and how to successfully challenge such defences. Kindly sponsored by St Ives Chambers |
Katrina Robinson MBE |
| 3.15 pm – 4.00 pm | Group Session | View From The Bench Judge Nicola Carr – First Tier Tribunal, (Property Chamber) London Region |
Sarah Salmon |
| 4.05 pm – 4.20 pm | Break | ||
| 4.25 pm – 5.00 pm | Large Group Session | Costs conundrums: legal costs trends in housing disrepair claims Alex Bagnall of Total Housing Solutions Alex Bagnall, a costs lawyer, will look at current issues in legal costs and will provide some useful tips for minimising costs payable to claimant solicitors. |
Mark Cooper |
| 5.05 pm – 5.15 pm | Chair’s Closing | Closing | Co-Chair Katrina Robinson MBE |
| 5.15 pm – 7.15 pm | Networking Drinks Reception Kindly sponsored by Total Housing Solutions | ||