Ben McCormack

"an important figure in public law in the North"

Chambers & Partners 2010

"An up-and-coming presence at the set, Ben McCormack has impressed solicitors with his 'ability to relate well to clients', his 'effective advocacy' and 'thorough preparation'..."

Chambers & Partners 2008

Practice

Housing law
All aspects – in particular homelessness, allocations, possession proceedings, unlawful evictions, housing benefit disputes and discrimination cases. Ben is regularly instructed to act in cases in which the Official Solicitor is involved.

Community care and mental health
Experienced in all aspects including challenges to assessments and content of care plans, accommodation in care homes and closure thereof, charging for services, guardianship proceedings, and applications to the Court of Protection. Ben has particular experience in cases involving the overlap between community care, housing and asylum support.

Public law
Substantial experience of bringing public law challenges including emergency injunction applications for interim relief in housing and community care cases, enforcement of interim/substantial housing duties, challenges to allocation schemes, cases under the Children Act 1989 and asylum support disputes. In addition to his Administrative Court work Ben regularly appears in statutory homelessness appeals in the county court.

Welfare benefits
Ben has experience of appearing before tribunals in benefit cases and in advising on a wide range of cases regarding social security entitlement.

Notable cases

Sheffield City Council v Fletcher (2007) HLR 26

Recommendations

Leading junior in Social Housing : Northern (2010) "Former solicitor Ben McCormack is an important figure in public law in the North and has a lot of experience within the social housing world." more

Leading junior in Social Housing : Northern (2009) "Also at Garden Court, former solicitor Ben McCormack moves up the rankings this year. Solicitors are particularly appreciative of his ability to turn work around quickly." more

Up and coming in Social Housing : Northern (2008) "An up-and-coming presence at the set, Ben McCormack has impressed solicitors with his 'ability to relate well to clients,' his 'effective advocacy' and 'thorough preparation'." (Chambers & Partners 2008)

Other Activities

Co-ordinator of North West Housing Law Practitioners Group (NWHLPG)

Delivered comprehensive training to EHRC (Equalities and Human Rights Commission) on conducting Judicial Review proceedings (2008)

Professional Associations

NWHLPG

Legal Action Group

Background and personal profile

Formerly a solicitor (admitted 1999) specialising in housing law. Duty advisor in several County Courts across Greater Manchester through practice as solicitor.

In December 2008, Ben was a finalist in the “Young Legal Aid Barrister” category in the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2008 > more

Languages

French.