Anti-social behaviour legal specialists

Specialised anti-social behaviour lawyers

Hugh James was the first legal team to set up a dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Unit.  We have developed unrivalled expertise in acting with social landlords to tackle anti-social behaviour and illegal activity within their housing stock.

The Hugh James Anti Social Behaviour (ASBO) Unit provides a flexible service which can be tailored to your needs in order to enable your anti-social behaviour cases to be dealt with as efficiently and economically as possible.

• Our anti-social behaviour expertise
• Hugh James anti-social behaviour experience
• Request a brochure

Hugh James anti social behaviour expertise

Our expertise is focused on six key issues:

• Training – We recognise the importance of our clients' staff being fully aware of all key legal and policy frameworks that govern housing management and anti-social behaviour. We regularly provide bespoke training to clients on existing complex legal issues as well as updates on key recent developments in legislation, policy and best practice.  
• Preparation – We recognise that defective / outdated tenancy agreements, policies and procedures can become major obstacles for forward thinking proactive organisations in dealing with anti-social behaviour. We are regularly instructed to appraise, review and draft tenancy agreements, as well as policy and procedure documentation for social landlords.
• Advice – No case is too complicated. We recognise that our clients often have to make difficult decisions when faced with issues of serious nuisance and criminal activity. Our expertise in this area of law means that we can provide detailed, bespoke advice for each and every eventuality to ensure the most beneficial and cost effective resolution for our clients and those affected by the nuisance.
• Resolution – We do not believe in a ‘one remedy fits all’ approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour. Further, through our wealth of knowledge and experience we are well placed to advise on the most appropriate remedy for every issue faced by social landlords. We will consider all the options including early intervention, multi agency approach, without notice injunctions, demotion orders, closure orders or outright orders for possession. We will provide the necessary advice, support and expertise to ensure that our clients achieve the most effective and appropriate remedy to the problems faced.
• Partnering – We pride ourselves on delivering the exact service expected by our clients. We can take the lead from start to finish or we can work with clients to develop their in house knowledge and confidence.
• Service standards – We provide excellent service standards to ensure prompt delivery and quality advice at all times.

We regularly provide advice on the following:

• ASBIs
• ASBOs
• committals
• crack house closures
• demotions
• effective early intervention
• introductory tenancies
• notices of seeking possession
• notices before proceeding of demotion
• notices to quit
• possession actions
• premises closure orders 
• starter tenancies

Hugh James anti-social behaviour experience

Hugh James’ dedicated Anti-Social Behaviour Unit currently provides expert practical legal advice to RSL and Local Authority clients. Our expertise is borne out of our passion and commitment to providing specialist assistance to social landlords in all aspects of tenancy enforcement and dealing with issues of nuisance behaviour / criminal activity within their housing stock.

Examples of our experience include:

• Securing emergency measures to tackle / prevent serious nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour including without notice ASBI & ASBO applications, (including exclusion provisions and powers of arrest)
• Assisting the relevant authorities in applying for Crack House Closure and Premises Closure Application
• Establishing permanent measures to deal with ongoing and persistent nuisance including possession actions, demotion actions and breach of tenancy injunctions
• Committal applications following breach of Injunction Orders
• Advising Social Landlords on effective measures to deal with non-tenant perpetrators of anti-social behaviour
• Advising on gathering evidence of Anti-Social behaviour, including CCTV, witnesses, and Data Protection issues
• Dealing with individuals who lack appropriate mental capacity in cases of anti-social behaviour. This includes cases where the Official Solicitor will be required to intervene.