Expertise and experience
Rebekah is a partner and specialist public and housing law solicitor. She has over 30 years’ experience in complex judicial review proceedings, including public interest cases and discrimination challenges across all aspects of public law, including housing, homelessness, welfare, healthcare, education and the environment.
Rebekah works with individuals challenging the decisions of public bodies. She is widely regarded as an expert in her field, and has taken cases to the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and European Court of Human Rights.
Rebekah has acted in successful challenges concerning:
- Local authorities’ homelessness obligations
- The allocation of social housing, including discriminatory housing allocation schemes and the housing needs of disabled children
- Cooperation between housing and social care
- Education rights for children unable to attend school
- The application of the bedroom tax to victims of domestic violence living in ’sanctuary scheme‘ homes, and to disabled children
- The application of the benefit cap to carers
- Decision making and assessments under the Mental Health Act 1984
Notable cases include:
- Ward & Others v LB Hillingdon [2019] EWCA Civ 692 – Court of Appeal decision in successful discrimination challenge brought on behalf of Irish Travellers relating to the 10 year residence requirement in a local authority’s housing allocation policy.
- A v United Kingdom 34614/17 – 24 October 2019. European Court of Human Rights; application of “bedroom tax” to survivor of domestic violence occupying “sanctuary scheme” home found to be unlawful. The judgment establishes that justifying discrimination involving disabled persons or on the grounds of gender will require “weighty reasons”.
- R (JP (a child)) v NHS Croydon Clinical Commissioning [2020] EWHC 1470 (Admin) – challenging to a decision to reduce a care package for a young child suffering from a life-limiting brain tumour.
- R (AK) v London Borough of Islington [2021] EWHC 301 (Admin) –concerning the provision of “after-care” services under s. 117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 to a child following her discharge from a psychiatric unit.
- Hurley v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2015] EWHC 3382 (Admin) – High Court; inclusion of carers’ allowance in benefit cap found unlawful.
Legal 500
Rebekah Carrier is recognised in the 2025 Legal 500 as a ‘recommended lawyer’, with the following testimonial:
‘Rebekah Carrier is an exceptional solicitor with a wealth of experience. She is one of my favourite solicitors to work with. Her understanding of housing law is second-to-none, and she is also highly knowledgeable about related disciplines, such as community care, social care, human rights and discrimination.’
Chambers UK
Rebekah is frequently recommended by Chambers & Partners. In 2025, she was commended for her ‘substantial experience in assisting tenants with making challenges to local housing policies’ and for being ‘well versed in advising on homelessness issues.’
She also received the following testimonial:
‘Rebekah combines dedication to her clients with a capacity for legal innovation that is second to none.’
