Martin Hodgson
Practice
Martin accepted an invitation to join 1 Pump Court in September 2008 having practised for many years at chambers based at 8 Kings Bench Walk (now 1 Mitre Court). His practice is predominantly in the area of housing & Local Government law although he still does some Personal Injury and general civil common law.
Martin considers himself lucky to come to the Bar at a time when it was still common for Barristers to have mixed practices which provides invaluable experience. After pupilage at two sets within Francis Taylor Building and a brief period as a common law devil to the late Don Harvey QC, he joined his former set in 1983 (then based at 11 KBW). He has always practiced in the area of housing and local government which has gradually taken over. He ceased practicing Crime after about twelve years to concentrate on civil work. About 95% of his work now is housing related. During his career he has appeared in the Court of Appeal in Crime, Family, Personal Injury, Real Property, Local Government and Housing cases. He used to be instructed quite a lot by local authorities but in the last decade his practice has been almost entirely tenant based. After many years, this is an area of law that Martin still enjoys and it gives him tremendous pleasure to have an expertise that can make a real difference to people’s lives.
In the past Martin has given seminars to solicitors on aspects of housing, family and personal injury law. In 1994 he was the British Lawyer invited to address a seminar in Brussels of European jurists on the Human Rights aspects of trial by jury, especially in relation to long fraud trials. He firmly believes that homelessness and the threat of homelessness is a devastating blow to family life and will always try (pressure of work permitting) to make myself available to assist where loss of the home is at risk.
He has a good working knowledge of French.
Martin has been an approved Pupil supervisor since the late eighties.
He is trained in direct access.
Education
Inns of Court School of Law: 1979/1980
Polytechnic of Central London Law School: B.A. (Hons) 1976/1979
Worth
Professional Career Year of Call: 1980, Middle Temple
Barrister in full time private practice since call.
Notable Cases
> Richards V Ipswich BC [2008] HLR 39.
> R (Yetter) V Enfield LBC [2002] EWHC 2185 Admin
> Birmingham CC V Massop [2002] EWCA Civ 1495
> Re F (1993) 2 F.L.R. 837
> Yemshaw V Hounslow LBC [2011] UKSC 3; [2011] 1 W.L.R. 433; [2011] H.L.R. 16; [2011] 1 F.L.R. 1614; [2011] 1 F.C.R. 576
> Sharif V Camden LBC [2011] EWCA Civ 463 [2011] HLR 32
> Nagi V Birmingham City Council [2010] EWCA Civ 1391 (permission)
> Redbridge V Low [2006] EWCA Civ 1679.
> Beaton V Devon County Council [2002] EWCA Civ 1675.
> Azimi V Newham LBC [2001] 33 HLR 51.
> Neil V Ryan (1999) 1 FCR 241.
> R V Lewisham LBC ex p Dolan (1993) 25 HLR 68.
Memberships
HLPA
ALBA
South Eastern Circuit
Honorary Society of Middle Temple
Languages
French
Interests
Looking after his children, the company of friends, travel, music, scuba diving
