Paul is a partner in our Public Law and Human Rights team. As well as individuals, he regularly advises charities and organisations in regulatory matters and disputes. Paul represents individuals, campaign and action groups, charities, schools and religious organisations.
His aim is often to deal with issues swiftly, economically and without litigation. He has experience of mediation and ADR, but where needed Paul litigates. He has a string of cases through the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Described in the legal directories as “second-to-none when acting for defendants in possession proceedings”, “exceptionally clever” and as “really making a difference”.
Paul regularly acts for family members and the Official Solicitor in the County Court, High Court and Court of Protection.
Paul is acting for a large number of residents and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Experience
Paul’s significant work includes:
Property and housing
- Santos v Compatriot Holdings – Court of Appeal – Successful defence of a tenant Rent Act 1977
- Secretarial Nominee v Thomas – Court of Appeal decision relating to security under the Rent Act 1977
- MM & Savant v Brown & Raja & Pauley (Lands Tribunal)
- Successful challenge to service charge liability and defence of s20 LTA
- Wynbay Ltd v (1) London RAP (2) Osman EWHC 172 (Admin) – fair rents; adequacy of reasons
- Eelapatheeswarar Aalayam (Shiva Temple) v Seevaratnam & others – 050265 High Court – successful claim for the return and control of a Hindu Temple
- Nicholas Patrick Smith v UBS A3/2011/3166. High Court victory in overturning a possession order relating to Occupy
Charity and Regulatory
- Shergill & Others v Kharia & others – Supreme Court, test case on religious jurisdiction and the court
- LSC v Henthorn – CA test case on solicitors liability under Legal Aid regulations
- Successful appeal against the imposition of sanctions against a solicitor imposed almost 2 years earlier by the SRA
- Acted for various dental practices facing regulatory investigations including representations to the PCT and dental investigation unit
- Successful challenge to refusal of admission by the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board (‘PMETB’)
- Independent Schools Council v Charity Commission, NCVO & Education Review Group – Upper Tribunal regarding provision of education and charitable status of private schools
- Advising faith based charities on regulatory investigation and trustee disputes
- Advising schools and education charities on OFSTED and Charity Commission regulation
Judicial Review, Health Care and Court of Protection
- R(G) v Barnet – Supreme Court leading case on s17 Children Act duty
- R(J) v Enfield All ER (D) 209 (Mar) Successful challenge to the failure to assist a woman with HIV. Confirmed power to provide community care services under s2 Local Government Act consultation requirements
- LB Redbridge v G (No 6) EWCA Civ 446, Court of Appeal acted for Official Solicitor in protection proceedings and defending the intervention of the press and payment of costs
- R (on the application of Sawyer) v Bishop of Chelmsford] Administrative Court – successful judicial review of the Church of England
Public Inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire
- Paul represents a significant number of residents and families that have been granted core participant status in the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire
Freedom of speech and Protest
- Hall and Others v Mayor of London – Court of Appeal acted for Democracy Village in occupation of Parliament Square
- Advice to Occupy, rent strike and student occupation protests throughout UK
- R(Gallestegui) v Westminster CC & others EWCA Civ 28 – Court of Appeal challenge to the Police Reform and Social responsibility Act 2011 and control of Parliament Square
- Nicholas Patrick Smith v UBS A3/2011/3166. Acted for the “Bank of Ideas” in the High Court victory in overturning a possession order relating to Occupy
- National Farmers Union v Persons Unknown & Badger Trust HQ13X0416 – acted for the Badger Trust in relation to the limits of protest against the Badger cull
Awards
- In 2012 Paul was nominated for Social Welfare Lawyer at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards
- Winner of the Law Society Prize
Recent directory and client quotes
Chambers and Partners UK 2025
- Paul is ranked Band 1 in Social Housing: Tenants.
- “Paul has an excellent work ethic.”
- “He is reliable and always provides sound legal advice.”
Legal 500 2025
- Paul is listed in the “Hall of Fame” for Social Housing: Tenant and recommended in the editorial commentary for Administrative and Public Law.
- “Paul Ridge is excellent. He’s a great lawyer with huge knowledge of inquiries. He is empathetic and understanding with clients and everyone he works with.”
- “Paul Ridge is a veteran in the space and has represented the Grenfell Tower victims exceptionally well.”
- “Paul Ridge is a brilliant solicitor who heads up the team. He is immensely experienced in all areas of housing practice with expertise with clients in mental health crises.”
Chambers and Partners UK 2024
- Paul was ranked Band 1 in Social Housing: Tenants.
- “Paul Ridge makes clients feel completely at ease.”
Legal 500 2024
- Paul was ranked in the ‘Hall of Fame’ section of Social Housing: Tenant.
- “Paul Ridge is an experienced housing lawyer – very capable and excellent client manner.”
- “Paul Ridge and Christian Hansen are great solicitors.”
Awards
- Shortlisted for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2012 in the Social Welfare category
Education and career
- Paul graduated from University College London
- He gained a distinction in the LPC winning the Law Society prize as top of his year
- Paul was shortlisted for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year 2012 in the Social Welfare category
- Paul is on the editorial board of Community Care Law Reports
