Social Housing: West Midlands

This full-service social housing firm handles a broad range of work for registered providers, advising on major stock transfers, group structures and development work, and handling housing management issues and related litigation. It receives particular praise from market sources for its governance work. The firm counts Poplar HARCA, Arcadia Group, Anchor Trust and Luminus Group among its clients.

Client Service "The lawyers are very responsive and always deliver." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Hubbard "is professional, responds when he says he will and takes time out to ensure the relationship with the client is working." He advises clients on the full range of non-contentious social housing-related issues, and recently led the team advising Knowsley Housing Trust on setting up the group structure of First Ark Group. Jonathan Cox is well regarded for his non-contentious work within the sector, and has recently provided advice on service charges and stock rationalisation. He recently assisted Trident Housing Group on the housing management aspect of the development of a £23 million retirement village. Helen Tucker "is an excellent lawyer" who specialises in housing management and housing litigation. She recently acted for Midland Heart in a case relating to shared ownership. Senior associate Anne Adamthwaite recently led on the transfer of 8,900 properties from Warrington Borough Council to an arm's length management organisation (ALMO), acting for the council. Sarah Lines is a recent arrival at the firm. During her time at previous employer Anthony Collins she assisted in the merger between the Chevin, Prospect and Trans-Pennine Housing Groups, as well as leading on advising Lyvennet on its formation as a Community Land Trust.

The Birmingham office of this firm, highly regarded for its work in social housing, concentrates on stock transfers, acquisitions, development work, governance and finance. The social housing team recently acted on behalf of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council on its housing stock transfer to Tai Calon, and continues to advise the Contour Housing Group on a major development project. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Hugo Stephens, noted for his work on large-scale voluntary transfers (LSVT), recently acted for Oldham MBC on an LSVT to First Choice Homes Oldham, an ALMO, as well as advising Aspire Housing on a new multimillion-pound loan.

The firm's Birmingham lawyers are "professional and efficient," as well as being "helpful, knowledgeable and able to assist with every aspect of our work." They are noted for their work on site development, housing management and disrepair, and also handle acquisitions and joint venture work. Clients include Bromford Carinthia Housing Association, Family Housing Association (Birmingham) and Festival Housing Group.

Client Service "I am extremely impressed with their professionalism and commitment to our organisation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Callum Nuttall is the key contact.

The firm's social housing team acts for registered providers, ALMOs and local authorities. It advises on governance, corporate and contentious development work. Clients include Accord Housing Group, Bromford Group and Midland Heart. Market sources are interested to see how the departure of Andy Ballard will affect the team's performance.

Client Service "We continue to be impressed with them. They consistently deliver efficient, effective and value-for-money services."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ranjit Bassey is a key contact. 

Wragge deploys a multi-departmental social housing team to act for the likes of Sanctuary Housing Group, Midland Heart and Orbit Homes on finance, joint ventures, stock rationalisation, development finance and property work. Recent highlights include advising Sanctuary on a £120 million bond issuance, and acting for Lightmoor Village, a joint venture between Homes & Communities Agency and Bournville Village Trust.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stephen Sellers heads the department.

The firm advises a raft of loyal registered providers and local authorities on acquisitions, redevelopment, grant funding, housing management and contentious commercial matters. Recent highlights include advising Orbit Homes and Marches Housing Association on a number of site acquisitions, as well as advising Dudley MBC on obtaining Homes & Communities Agency grant funding for newbuild social housing across five sites in Dudley.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Carol Matthews advises the firm's social housing clients on an extensive range of property, corporate and governance issues, and recently led on advising Heart of England Housing Association on a large-scale redevelopment project. Sources say she is "very personable, diligent, organised and always gets back to me quickly."