Direct Access Barrister
Iain Wightwick
Direct Access Barrister
Iain Wightwick
I have been a barrister since 1985, and working in the West Country for most of that time. My practice takes me around much of England and Wales, although these days I work remotely much of the time. In the future I am devoting more time to working as a mediator. If you wish to attempt resolution of your dispute through mediation and are thinking of instructing me, please ask your opponent if they agree to ADR, BEFORE sending me conficential papers (to retain my independence). I can only act as a Mediator if I am able to retain impartiality.
Area of Law
Housing and Social Welfare
30+ years of experience in the field, author of two books - one on antisocial behaviour injunctions (now 2nd ed) and one on housing conditions disputes
Landlord and Tenant
30+ years of representing landlords and tenants in all areas of the field.
Local Government
Numerous LA clients in a variety of areas of dispute.
Planning and Environmental
Planning enforcement mostly on behalf of local authority planning teams
Property
30+ years of reprsenting property owners in disputes over boundaries, rights of way, trespass, restrictive convenants etc. These days I rarely take on disputes in these areas due to the high costs vs benefits of litigation, and am happier being proposed as a Mediator.
What sort of work do I do?
I work in social housing, commercial and residential landlord and tenant and occasionally on more general land disputes, including some planning enforcement and construction work. Many of my corporate/social housing provider clients work under the Public Access Scheme, meaning they come directly to me without needing to instruct a solicitor. Such local authority, RSL and corporate clients can work very efficiently with me in this way, and some well-organised private individuals are also able to benefit from instructing me directly. The costs savings are substantial over instructing a solicitor, but some cases are too procedurally complex for me to handle them on this basis, in which case I will ask that a solicitor be instructed.
I am happy to act as a Mediator in any such disputes.
Who do I work for?
Local authorities, social housing providers, company and individual property owners and some tenants. As a minimum for case management, I expect any potential client to have a subscription to Adobe Pro, and to know how to use it. There are lessons available on the net!