Nik’s Legal Career

Called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in November 1986. Now practising from 1 Pump Court.

CEDR Accredited Mediator from 2002. I have conducted or taken part in more than 15 mediations, mostly as part of the RPTS scheme for parties with cases before Leasehold Valuation Tribunals (see further below).

Rent Assessment Panel Chairman (part-time) 1999-date – The Panel provides members for Leasehold Valuation Tribunals, Rent Assessment Committees and Residential Property Tribunals, the administration for which is provided by the Residential Property Tribunal Service (“RPTS”)

Public Law Project Director of Policy & Research 1997. Projects included Lottery-funded research into the NHS complaints system and a major conference on ADR.

Southwark Law Centre Legal caseworker 1988-91. SLC has recently been commended by the Court of Appeal:-
“... all the members of this court would wish to express their appreciation of the skilful professional service which Ms Faarah has had from the Southwark Law Centre. As the history set out by Lord Justice Toulson shows, the law centre, by careful and well-informed correspondence, was able to locate and challenge the precise error of public administration which this appeal has confirmed. It is of importance to the administration of justice, as well as to many individuals, that there should continue to be law centres like Southwark’s which are able to offer professional help of high calibre to the neediest people.”
Sedley LJ in R (Faarah) v LB Southwark [2008] EWCA Civ 807 at para 54

I have appeared in a number of reported court cases which you can read about here, including downloadable briefings.

I have written or contributed to a number of books and articles which you can read about here.

Administrative Law Bar Association

Housing Law Practitioners’ Association (Executive member 1994-2003)

Human Rights Lawyers’ Association

Justice

Lawyers for Liberty

Legal Action Group

National Right to Fuel Campaign

I am a barrister practising from 1 Pump Court chambers in London and specialising in Social Welfare Law, including:-

• Housing (homelessness, allocations, landlord & tenant, disrepair & housing conditions, possession, anti-social behaviour, long leases)
• Public & Administrative Law
• Human Rights
• Community Care
• Asylum Support
• Welfare Benefits
• Fuel Rights

If you are a solicitor interested in instructing me, you can contact my clerks, Ian Burrow or Sian Wilkins.