Name:
Charlotte Brazier
Year of Call:
2009
Inn:
Lincoln’s Inn
Languages spoken:
French
Area of Expertise:
Family
Housing
Property
Civil
Practice Summary:

Property

Family

Children (Private and Public)

Divorce

Financial Remedy

Employment

Education

Biography:

Charlotte joined chambers in October 2010, upon successful completion of her pupillage. Charlotte specialises in property law and family law. From the start of her practice, Charlotte has been engaged by both Claimants and Defendants / Respondents and also acts for local authorities.

Prior to joining Staple Inn Chambers, Charlotte interned at a law firm in Beijing, where she dealt with a wide variety of cases, the majority of which were the subject of international litigation. On her return to the UK, Charlotte acted as the student leader for the Mediation Project at the Residential Property Tribunal Service (incorporating the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal and Rent Assessment Panel), whilst studying at law school.

Charlotte’s Property practice encompasses a wide variety of disputes in this field, including :

  • Housing
  • Homelessness
  • Possession claims (public and private sector and mortgage related)
  • Disrepair
  • Nuisance
  • Leasehold Valuation Tribunal claims
  • Commercial Leasehold, including relief from forfeiture and dilapidations
  • Trespass and adverse possession
  • Party wall disputes
  • Boundaries and easements
  • Planning

Charlotte is regularly instructed by several London Boroughs, as well as local authorities outside Greater London. She liaises closely with in-house legal teams and frequently advises on claims from their inception through to conclusion. Charlotte often appears in the County Courts in fast track or multi track trials, and in appeals. She has a particular interest in housing cases concerning succession, loss of security of tenure and unlawful occupation, and has significant experience of homelessness cases.

Charlotte also acts in a range of real property matters, leasehold disputes and planning cases for private clients. She focuses upon residential property issues and is familiar with practice and procedure at the Residential Property Tribunal Service, having frequently advised clients in relation to major works schemes bills and other service charge challenges. Charlotte regularly acts for parties involved in neighbour disputes, and provides representation to those involved in planning appeals.

Charlotte is instructed in private law children disputes primarily relating to contact and residence, as well as removal in Hague Convention cases. She frequently acts for applicants for injunctive relief and occupation orders. Charlotte is developing her practice in public law child proceedings, and is instructed by solicitors acting for parents and grandparents. Her thorough understanding of housing and homelessness issues has proven invaluable in both public law and private law family work.

Charlotte also has experience of ancillary relief work, and is able to apply her knowledge of related property law to such cases. Charlotte is adept at analysing and presenting financial information, and is an able negotiator.

Charlotte has acted in a number of employment related disputes. She appears for both Claimants and Respondents and is able to provide advice and representation at both tribunal and disciplinary hearings. Charlotte has experience of a wide range of unfair dismissal claims and has also dealt with discrimination issues. Charlotte also provides guidance to those advising on redundancy packages.

Charlotte has represented parents and their children in a number of school appeals with positive results. She has particular interest in special educational needs, due to family experience of learning difficulties.

Notable Cases

  • Home Group v Matrejek [2015] EWHC 441 (QB)
    • Mr Justice Sweeney, sitting in the Queen's Bench Division, held that the Circuit Judge had been entitled to grant relief and reinstate a claim which had been dismissed due to the Claimant’s failure to attend a directions hearing. The failure to attend had prevented the court from managing the substantive claim (a housing matter) alongside a Children Act case. However, Mr Justice Sweeney accepted that, whilst the failure to attend had been deliberate, the Claimant genuinely believed the matter would not be dealt with at the directions hearing. Furthermore, the Defendant had suffered no prejudice as a result. Charlotte appeared on behalf of Home Group, the successful Claimant / Respondent, at first instance and on appeal.
  • B5/2011/2480 – London Borough of Hounslow v Islam
    • Charlotte represented the successful local authority in a multi track housing trial. The Defendant was subsequently refused permission to appeal by Lord Justice Pill, Lord Justice Patten and Lord Justice McFarlane.
  • APP/R5510/C/11/2151898 – 23 Hanover Circle (London Borough of Hillingdon)
    • Planning Inquiry in which Charlotte represented the successful Appellants.

Interests

In her spare time, Charlotte likes to bake cakes and enjoys hunting for antiques at auctions and markets. She is a keen tennis player and tries to watch the Grand Slam tennis tournaments when her work schedule allows.  

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Education & Awards:
King’s College London : BA (Hons) BBP Law School : GDL and BVC

Awards

Lincoln’s Inn : Lord Brougham (GDL) and Cassel (BVC) Scholarships Oxford University Price Moot Finalist 2009