Housing Law
The Legal Update 2011 Wednesday 29th June 2011, York Racecourse
In association with Jan Luba QC, Garden Court Chambers:
The Legal Update 2011 offers an opportunity for all housing staff to review key housing law developments over the last 12 months. Delegates will consider, with expert contributors, how social housing providers are effectively dealing with the major changes in social housing management triggered by the reforms to social housing, and new approaches to anti-social behaviour (ASB), being introduced by the Government. This essential annual update conference will again be run in conjunction with Jan Luba QC, a leading barrister in the housing field, and will review all the very latest developments. Delegates will not only be offered presentations on the “headline” issues but will also have the opportunity to tackle the tricky questions of real concern in practical workshops - examining the key issues in depth, with specialist presenters. The conference is targeted at those with a working knowledge of at least the basic aspects of relevant housing law. By attending the conference delegates will: • Hear how to deal effectively with changes triggered by social housing reforms. • Keep up to date with developments on rent arrears and possession proceedings. • Hear about new developments in ASB. • Keep up to date with developments in homelessness and lettings policy and legislation. • Hear about developments in management of social housing tenancies. Speakers include: Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Paul Downie, Head of Housing Management and Performance, Department of Communities and Local Government Gill Marshall, Section Head, Regulatory and Enforcement, Leeds City Council Liz Davies, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Geraldine Haden, Partner, Haden Gorrara Solicitors
Who should attend? Although most people working in the housing field would benefit from attending this event, it is, by its very nature, designed as a technical update. Therefore, delegates need to have a working knowledge of basic housing legislation, guidance and case law.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Delegates will be able to record 4 Continuing Professional Development hours for attending this conference.
Programme 9.15
Registration and refreshments
9.45
Chair’s welcome and introduction Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
9.50
Overview of the Government’s legislative programme and policy context Paul Downie, Head of Housing Management and Performance, Department of Communities and Local Government Paul will cover the Coalition Government’s initiatives that are of interest to those working in social housing including: homelessness, lettings, affordable tenancies, flexible tenancies, changes to succession rules and others.
10.30
The past 12 months in Housing Law: key legal developments Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Jan’s unique overview of Housing Law developments in Parliament, Government and the Courts.
11.15
Professional practice sessions 1. Rent Arrears and Possession Proceedings Geraldine Haden, Partner, Gorrara Haden Solicitors Issuing possession proceedings is one of the major interactions between the housing and legal sectors. A failure to keep up to date with developments on rent arrears and possession proceedings and how they relate to other areas of housing management could have a detrimental effect on a housing organisation’s business concerns. In the current economic downturn, there are increasing numbers of tenants falling into arrears and it is as important as ever for landlords to manage their incomes effectively. In this session, Geraldine will turn the situation on its head and look at things from the tenant lawyer’s perspective thereby giving social landlord the opportunity to look at their own policies and procedures to see whether they are falling into any of the common pitfalls. 2. ASB – a brave new world? Gill Marshall, Section Head, Regulatory and Enforcement, Leeds City Council This session will give you an update on this fast moving topic, looking at where we are today and where we may be in future. This session will consider the recent government consultation paper on ASB and the future direction of policy.
Consideration will be given to some of our favourite ‘old faithful’ remedies and case law updates will be provided. The session will also consider the implications of the proposed changes on the remedies as well as some of the ‘new tools’ in the tool box which seem to be the model for changes to come. The session will cover: • • • • • •
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders – on conviction and stand alone. Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions, including Gang Injunctions. Criminal Behaviour Orders and Crime Prevention Injunctions. Community Protection Orders – level 1 and 2. The ‘harm centred approach’ to ASB after the Pilkington case. Respect and ASB service commitments.
3. Managing Social Housing Tenancies Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers This practice session is targeted at those working in social housing who deal with tenants and their tenancies. It will cover both council and housing association tenancies. Jan will lead a review of each key aspect of social housing management work that has been subject to a legal or policy development in the past year. This can be expected to include: tenancy agreements, joint tenancies, subletting, assignment, death and succession, disrepair and much else besides! (The session will not cover Rent Arrears, ASB or Possession Proceedings which are the subject of other practice sessions). This session will provide a summary of all the latest caselaw and legislation but also, and more importantly, facilitate a sharing of best practice and the learning of lessons from poor practice. 4. Homelessness policy and legal update Liz Davies, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers This session will cover: • How to prevent homelessness and comply with Housing Act 1996 duties. • What constitutes domestic violence? The Supreme Court decides in Yemshaw v Hounslow LBC. • Disability discrimination and homelessness. • Changes to the main housing duty in the Localism Bill. • Comprehensive update covering case-law and statute in last 12 months. 12.45
Lunch
13.45
Professional practice sessions (repeat of 1, 2 and 3), plus: 5. Allocation of social housing update Liz Davies, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers This session will cover: • Amendments to Part 6 Housing Act 1996 in the Localism Bill. • What does flexibility mean? • New flexible tenancies.
15.15
Refreshments
15.30
A preview of the year ahead Jan Luba QC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers Jan will give an overview of issues on the horizon and advise on what preparations for the year ahead will need to be made now.
15.45
Question and answer session with the panel
16.15
Close of conference
Housing Law The Legal Update 2011 Wednesday 29th June 2011, York Racecourse
Delegate fees
Early booking discount: book before 13th May 2011
Northern Housing Consortium Member
£229
£199
Non Member
£279
£249 All delegate fees are shown excluding VAT.
How to book Online To book your delegate place at this event and to view our full terms & conditions and cancellation policy, please click below.
Book Online
Telephone To make a provisional booking please telephone our events team;
0191 566 1000 Please note any telephone reservations are made on a provisional basis and must be confirmed in writing within 2 working days.
Contact us For further information or if you have a query please contact a member of the events team: Telephone: 0191 566 1000 Email: events@northern-consortium.org.uk
Download a copy of the programme here