HJ Housing Week 2024

From 11–15 November, Hugh James Housing Week offers a series of webinars, in-person events, videos, and blogs, each day spotlighting a different key aspect of housing.

Check out our 2024 line up below to discover what we’ve got planned for each day of the week.

The Employment Rights Bill and how it impacts your organisation – article

We kick off Hugh James Housing Week with a focus on people management. Alex Hurt shares his insights on the latest legislative changes and the real impact the Employment Rights Bill has on your organisation’s policies and approach.

Read The Employment Rights Bill and how it impacts your organisation.

An employer’s guide to Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs) – webinar

Data Subject Access Requests can be challenging and time-consuming for HR managers, particularly when they feel like a tactical move from a dissatisfied employee. Learning to navigate DSARs confidently—understanding their scope, your legal obligations, and practical steps to address them—can transform the process into an efficient, manageable task. Sali Owens and Aimee Boundford from our Employment and HR Services Team will offer a fresh perspective on DSARs, providing essential guidance to help you approach these requests with clarity and confidence.

Planning for change – article

Our extensive experience in advising clients on large and complex developments has highlighted the need for a dedicated team of planning law specialists. This year, we have been joined by Partner Alex Madden, who leads this element of our work and has shared his insights on the latest changes to planning that the housing sector needs to consider spanning the Community Infrastructure Levy, Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient Neutrality as well as some of the strategic moves that can help unlock sites.

Read Essential planning law updates for developers.

Unpacking housing association mergers – article

As pressures mount, more housing associations are exploring mergers to boost resilience and service delivery. In this piece, Gerallt Jones, Partner and Head of Corporate and commercial, shares essential insights on navigating these complex partnerships. Discover the risks, rewards, and strategic steps that can help housing associations thrive through collaboration.

Read Unpacking housing association mergers.

Funding options in social housing – article

In today’s social housing landscape, the need for innovative and accessible funding has never been more pressing. As housing providers face increased demand for affordable housing and improvements to current stock, navigating the funding landscape becomes essential to sustain growth and meet the sector’s evolving standards.

For the fourth day of our 2024 housing week, Partner Rowena Downie and Associate Anisha Kohli explored the diverse funding options available to Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and local authorities, weighing the benefits and challenges of each approach.

Read Funding options in social housing.

Law Commission consultation outcomes could seriously impact housing associations – article

Focusing on governance, until 10th December the Law Commission’s proposals on changing the law in relation to Cooperative and Community Benefit Societies are out for consultation and they are seeking your views. Our Partner Harriet Morgan shared her thoughts about how the evolving legal landscape would potentially impact your organisation, equipping you to have your say in the future shape of this legislation.

Read Law Commission consultation outcomes could seriously impact housing associations.

The evolving role of finance in social housing – webinar

Join us for a “fireside chat” between Caroline O’Flaherty, our Partner and Head of Social Housing, and Brian Pickett, Chief Executive of CCHA, alongside Peter Crockett, Deputy Chief Executive of Melin. This insightful discussion will explore how evolving roles in the housing sector encourage teams to step “outside their own lane” to uncover overlapping interests and shared objectives. With extensive backgrounds in senior finance, our guests offer valuable reflections on the role of finance teams as organisational enablers—now with enhanced oversight—and share practical insights with actionable takeaways.

A practical guide to Equality Act defences and the role of the housing officer in court – webinar

Social Landlords have seen a significant rise in the number of Equality Act defences being brought into proceedings which can make an already challenging case far more complex. Barrister Alice Richardson and Hugh James Partners Bethan Gladwyn and Rebecca Rees join forces to address how these defences can be managed effectively as well as exploring the role of the Housing Officer in court, highlighting common missteps and focusing on the preparation that can get the outcome you are looking for. Separated into two distinct elements with a comfort break in between.

Construction espresso shots – webinar

Following our renowned “Espresso Shots” format, we bring you three concentrated 15-minute discussions on current construction issues, designed to fuel your teams with some new insight to think about together. Alun Tobias will be kicking off the discussion with the JCT intermediate and minor works 2024 contracts providing a key point overview and focusing on the changes made from 2016. Alex Howells will then place the spotlight on adjudication – what it is, when should it be used and what the process involves. Matthew Stevens will close the session telling the cautionary tale of Providence Building Services v Hexagon Housing Association, and the potential consequences for persistent late payers under JCT construction contracts.