Michelle Caney is a specialist property practitioner with a national reputation and extensive experience in the field of social housing.
Michelle is routinely praised for her meticulous preparation and is consistently recommended in the directories, which confirm that she is “exceptionally thorough and knows her stuff inside out” and commend her “superb technical knowledge, confident authoritative manner with clients, and brilliant cross-examination.” Michelle prides herself on maintaining a client-focused approach at all times.
Michelle’s expertise covers the full range of housing litigation, with a particular emphasis on cases involving issues of human rights, mental capacity, disability discrimination, community care or judicial review. Her busy practice encompasses:
Notable Cases
Midland Heart Limited v. Grant [2016]
Appeal concerning the correct application of the refined test set out by the Supreme Court in Akerman-Liverstone v. Aster Communities Limited [2015] UKSC 15 where a landlord is asking a court to summarily dismiss a disability discrimination defence.
(1) Rehman and (1) Rehman v. Ali and Others [2015] EWHC
High Court claim concerning the ownership of a Mosque, which was alleged to be held on a charitable trust for the benefit of the community. Michelle successfully represented the legal owners and secured a possession order following a 17 day trial.
Dunn v. (1) Katerina Allington T/A Property Pushers and (2) Property Pushers Limited [2014] EWHC
Complex commercial trial in the High Court involving a property development company in which Michelle secured judgment in excess of £740,000.
Wolverhampton City Council v. Shuttleworth [2012] LTL 13/12/2013
Michelle successfully appealed to the High Court on a novel point of law concerning introductory tenancies.
Arena Coventry Limited v. Coventry City Football Club Limited [2012]
High profile litigation in the High Court involving Coventry City Football Club.
Leeds and Yorkshire Housing Association v Vertigan [2010] EWCA Civ 1583
Michelle successfully opposed an appeal to the Court of Appeal in an important case concerning the interplay between undertakings and suspended possession orders.
Birmingham University, LLB (Hons) Law.
Nottingham School of Law, BVC.
Midland Circuit
Social Housing Law Association
Chambers & Partners 2019: “Very bright and gets on well with clients. She is good at guiding them through the case and is very thorough.” “A very good advocate.”
Chambers & Partners 2019: “Exemplary in terms of client care, trial preparation and advocacy skills.” “An exceptional barrister with a breadth of knowledge on all aspects of social housing.”
Legal 500 2018: “Exceptionally hardworking and punches well above her year of call.”
Legal 500 2018: “A go-to property litigator.”
Chambers & Partners 2018: “Technically brilliant and thorough. No stone is left unturned. She is meticulous with her preparation.” “A superb advocate who is fantastic with witnesses.”
Chambers & Partners 2018: “She provides comprehensive advice, makes clear points and always addresses all the points put to her.” “She is exceptionally hard-working and very clever.”
Legal 500 2017: “Beneath her cool, calm exterior is a fiery, formidable opponent.”
Legal 500 2017: “She makes vulnerable witnesses feel at ease.”
Chambers & Partners 2017: “Superb advocate with extremely detailed preparation in trials.” “She’s forensic in preparation, goes way above and beyond and has an utterly thorough grasp of every detail of the case.”
Legal 500 2016: “An excellent advocate, who is well respected by judges.”
Chambers & Partners 2016: “Superb technical knowledge, confident authoritative manner with clients, and brilliant cross-examination.” “She is incredibly conscientious. Nothing gets past her gaze.”
Legal 500 2015: “Her advocacy and cross-examination skills are superb.” “She is always incredibly well prepared for conferences and hearings.”
Chambers & Partners 2015: “She is an excellent advocate. She doesn’t miss anything, and she puts up a very good fight.” “She is an absolute professional, is always well prepared and always manages to know how to treat difficult defendants.”
Chambers & Partners 2014: “She is incredibly efficient and extremely organised.” “She is exceptionally thorough and knows her stuff inside out.”
Legal 500 2014: “She has wide-ranging commercial and Chancery expertise.”
Chambers & Partners 2014: “She listens to her clients carefully and does what they want her to do. She will fight tooth and nail if she feels it is a good case to argue.” “Technically she is excellent, but she is also down to earth, which is crucial with social housing.”
Chambers & Partners 2013: “Michelle is an outstanding and tenacious advocate respected by judges. She is able to quickly build rapport with clients, witnesses and instructing solicitors.”
Legal 500 2012: St Ives Chambers is “an excellent specialist housing set”. Michelle Caney is “well prepared, eloquent and persuasive.”
Legal 500 2011: St Ives Chambers’ leading housing law team includes Michelle Caney, who is “hugely talented”, “consistently excellent and utterly reliable”, and is praised for her “immaculate preparation.”
Legal 500 2010: Michelle Caney, “an incredibly dedicated, hardworking and gifted” junior, is “down to earth, practical and excellent in both court and negotiations.”
Ede & Ravenscroft Prize – Winner, Middle Temple Mooting Competition 2004
Mooting Holiday to Malibu – Finalist, Middle Temple Mooting Competition 2004
Harmsworth Scholarship – Middle Temple 2004 Blackstones Entrance Exhibition –
Middle Temple 2004 Campbell Foster Prize – Middle Temple 2003
Simmons & Simmons Commercial Law Prize – Birmingham University 2003
Mistress of the Moots – Finalist, Camm Cup Mooting Competition 2002
Seminars and Training
Michelle regularly presents seminars and lectures within her areas of expertise. Such talks can be arranged via the clerks and can be presented at the dedicated facilities within chambers or externally. CPD approval can be obtained if required.
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St Ives Chambers is particularly well known for its family law expertise, which spans family finance, children and care matters………. Other key areas include crime and regulatory, commercial, Chancery and banking matters……Legal 500
