Luke Sheldon qualified as a solicitor in September 2021 and prior to this he worked in the Housing department at GT Stewart for over 3 years as both a Paralegal and Trainee. Before working at GT Stewart, he was a long term volunteer with the London Coalition Against Poverty where he was involved in campaigning related to benefits and housing rights, and where he developed his passion for housing law.

Luke represents clients with a range of vulnerabilities and barriers to accessing justice including mental health issues, addiction problems and language difficulties. Luke also takes a holistic approach involving helping the same client with multiple housing issues at the same time, whether it is disrepair, unlawful eviction, possession proceedings, homelessness or accessing the correct priority on the housing waiting list.

As a Paralegal, Luke conducted extensive research in relation to flexible fixed term tenancies as part of the successful application for transfer to the High Court in Croydon London Borough Council v Kalonga (2020) EWHC 1353 (QB), and his witness statement was referenced in the later Supreme Court hearing on this case. As a Trainee, Luke was the main fee earner working on the case of Montero, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Lewisham (2021) EWHC 1359 (Admin) which concerned the exclusion of overcrowded families from housing waiting lists when they did not satisfy local residence requirements. Luke was the Solicitor with conduct of Montano, R (On the Application Of) v London Borough of Lambeth (2024) EWHC 249 (Admin), a successful judicial review that established that Lambeth Council had the powers to backdate housing waiting accounts, and which resulted in the Claimant regaining over 5 years of lost waiting time.

In his spare time, he is an enthusiastic cyclist and bike mechanic, and is a big fan of K-Drama. He also volunteers supporting local homeless families in South London.

News:

• First household to obtain hospital discharge priority on council’s housing waiting list
• Housing discrimination case secures priority placement for family with autistic children
• From eviction notice to council housing
• Overturning 3 year old private sector discharge of the main homeless duty
• Council review decision of client’s living standards and award higher priority
• Successful Judicial Review claim against Lambeth Council