Called: 1974, Silk: 1991 – non-practising
While in practice, Andrew was recognised as being at the forefront of the development of housing law and a leading “all-round local government silk” in Chambers & Partners UK. He was variously described by them as “the godfather of housing law”, “pre-eminent in the field”, “consistently involved in the biggest and best cases”, “head and shoulders above anyone else in housing litigation” and “a genius who wins and wins.” Legal 500 called him “A litigator through and through” in relation to social housing and as having “Unrivalled knowledge in the area of local government” law. He founded Arden Chambers in 1993 to provide a centre for specialist practice primarily in the area of housing law; after it ceased business in 2018, he joined Nexus Chambers. He retired from practice at the end of 2019 but maintains his connection with Nexus.
During his practice, Andrew appeared in a very large number of important cases – many in the House of Lords/Supreme Court – from the early homelessness cases of the 1980s through some of the most important human rights cases and several ground-breaking cases in landlord and tenant. He conducted five local government inquiries/reviews, appeared for the objectors in the Westminster “Homes for Votes” inquiry and for councillors in rate-capping surcharge hearings.
Throughout his career, Andrew has also been a well-known legal author. He continues to edit or author the principal practitioner works in housing law (Housing Law Reports, Housing Encyclopedia, Arden & Partington’s Housing Law, Homelessness and Allocations, Manual of Housing Law). Andrew leads a team of barristers who produce HousingView, a free weekly update on developments in housing law, available from Housing@ArdenKC.co.uk.
Andrew has also published a number of novels under his own name, and under the name Bernard Bannerman.