Our services include

• Drafting Notices of Seeking Possession
• Possession Proceedings including applications to expedite hearings
• Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions
• Anti-Social Behaviour Orders both free standing in the Magistrates' Court and in the County Court
• Applications to include other perpetrators of ASB in possession proceedings
• Parenting Orders
• Individual support orders
• Expedited possession claims following the making of Closure Orders on crack houses
• Section 222 Local Government Act injunctions

Whiteheads was one of the first firms in the UK to specialise in providing ASB services to RSLs and the police. We have helped over 50 associations, local authorities and police forces protect their local communities by obtaining anti-social behaviour orders and injunctions against a number of perpetual offenders. It is as important to us as to our clients that their residents feel safe in their communities and for this reason, we operate a 24-hour service whereby any client with an serious ASB case can expect us to obtain an injunction within 24 hours.

In addition to our litigation work, the firm offers a number of training courses to equip housing managers and their teams to quickly and effectively stamp out anti-social behaviour.

The process we use to tackle anti-social behaviour includes:

• Trying alternative means to stop the problematic behaviour
• Helping Housing Officers/Managers obtain the cooperation of other residents
• Working with the client and residents to collect evidence of misbehaviour for use court
• Going to court to obtain orders and injunctions

Another key aim in this area of work is to help RSLs provide support to witnesses who have to provide evidence for court and in order to ensure success for our clients, the firm often uses the services of 'professional witnesses'.


Possession

Our services include

• Notices and possession action for rent arrears
• Possession actions for breach of tenancy
• Accelerated possession proceedings
• Demotion possession proceedings

As a last resort, many social landlords have to make the difficult decision to evict tenants and in these cases, Whiteheads thoroughly assess whether this option is viable. In many cases, Demotion of Tenancy can go towards resolving anti-social behaviour but in severe cases of breach of tenancy or ASB, possession proceedings will be brought. The firm's highly experienced advocacy team is used towards the end of the process to represent clients in Magistrates' and County courts.


Dispute Resolution

Our services include

• Mediation
• Litigation

We feel that litigation should always be the last resort for any social landlord and Whiteheads encourages the use of other methods of solving disputes. There are two members of the Firm who are trained as mediators.

Mediation
The firm currently has 2 staff who are trained in mediation and we advise clients to consider this option before taking a case to court. We have successfully used mediation to conclude a number of disputes.

Examples of our work in this area include acting for several RSLs in disrepair claims where we aim to resolve any disputed claims through mediation as opposed to going through the costly exercise of litigation. We also offer training in non-legal resolution of neighbour disputes and believe firmly in restorative justice

Other Non-Legal Interventions
One of the most effective ways of resolving disputes is to intervene at the earliest opportunity to ensure the difficulties do not worsen. The Firm supports non-legalistic early intervention such as the use of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs) as a way of avoiding litigation, resolving the problem and saving the client time and money.