Local Government and Social Housing
Simon advises numerous local authorities in relation to both commercial matters and regulatory issues. He also advises registered social landlords in relation to possession actions, anti-social behaviour orders and injunctions.
Simon is also a recognised expert in the field of non-domestic rating law. He regularly advises local authorities and payers on rating disputes and appears in both the Magistrates’ Courts and on appeals in the High Court.
Local Government & Social Housing Cases
Successfully pursuing for local authorities contested claims for Non-Domestic Rates Liability Orders.
Appearing for the billing authority both before the District Judge (Magistrate) and in the High Court on appeal by way of case stated concerning listed buildings and liability to business rates – R on the Application of Burnley Borough Council v Huron Properties Limited [2016] EWHC 3803 (Admin).
Appearing for the billing authority before the District Judge (Magistrate) in Liverpool City Council v Preservation & Promotion of the Arts (6 April 2021) successfully defeating a claim of the payer that it was entitled to charitable rates relief.
Pursuing contested claims of other local authorities for business rates where the occupiers claim charitable exemption.
Appearing for the billing authority before the District Judge (Magistrate) in Halim v Manchester City Council (13 March 2020) and successfully resisting an application to set aside rates liability orders on the basis of delay in bringing the application.
Acting for the billing authority in securing liability orders against a payer that claimed not to be liable as it was a corporate subsidiary of a charity – Rochdale Borough Council v Easygift Trading Limited (4 May 2022).
Advising a City Council in judicial review proceedings threatened by a national retailer concerning the application of Retail, Hospitality and Leisure non-domestic rating reliefs introduced as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Advising a billing authority in relation to an alleged business rates evasion scheme in the form of multiple sham sub-leases entered into by the landlord of a business park site.
Acting for a billing authority in successfully resisting an application to set-aside rates liability orders on the basis that there was no procedural defect leading to the orders being made – Bibi v Manchester City Council (20 November 2023).
Acting for the billing authority in securing the discontinuance of multiple applications to set aside liability orders – Ali v Sheffield City Council (14 March 2024).
Acting for the billing authority in securing the dismissal (as totally without merit) of an application to the High Court to compel the magistrates’ court to state a case – R oao Mahmood v Rochdale Borough Council (8 May 2024).
Securing liability orders for a billing authority against a member of Peacekeepers.org – Liverpool City Council v Horn (12 August 2024).
Advising a local authority in a dispute with a developer arising out of a s.106 Agreement.
Appearing for registered social landlords in possession claims and obtaining anti- social behaviour injunctions under the Housing Act 1996, and subsequent orders for committal for breach of injunction.
Obtaining Civil Restraint Orders against vexatious litigants.
