Andy Lane is a barrister at Cornerstone Barristers, having been called to the Bar in 1999. Prior to this time he worked in the voluntary Andy statutory sectors as an advice worker, including for the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux in Oxfordshire. He was a councillor on Oxford City Council between 1991-1995, and for part of that time was chair of the Housing Committee.
His primary area of practice is in the social housing field, where he is recognised in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners in the leading category, with a particular focus on Social Housing Fraud. He is the author of ‘Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud’.
Richard Hanstock is also a barrister at Cornerstone Barristers and is developing a versatile practice which includes a range of practice areas: housing, planning, licensing, property, local authority governance and services, public law, and regulatory law.
Richard has particular expertise in tenancy fraud, planning enforcement proceedings, confiscation matters, licensing appeals and regulatory proceedings.
A PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge, Richard took a First in Law from the LSE followed by an MPhil from Cambridge, graduating at the top of his class.
Having completed a pupillage in criminal and regulatory law, Richard has significant experience in trial advocacy and contested applications. This background makes Richard particularly suited to advise on contested cases, especially those involving dishonesty, vulnerability, investigative powers or criminal wrongdoing.
Richard has first-hand experience of the duties and pressures faced by public authorities, having spent time on secondment to local authorities, social landlords and licensing authorities. He enjoys advising on the exercise of public duties, drawing upon his experience as a police officer to identify legal and evidential difficulties before they arise, offering practical and accessible advice.