John Hobson

John is a Manchester-based practitioner who undertakes work nationwide.

He is instructed across all aspects of housing law, including possession proceedings, homelessness appeals, public law challenges under the Housing Act 1996 (including interim relief), unlawful eviction, succession claims, injunctions/committals, disrepair, tenancy deposits and matters under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.

With regards to inquest law, John has long practised in the inquest/coronial system, with extensive experience of representing the families of those who have died in prison or police custody and those affected by unlawful killing.

He regularly acts for other interested parties such as care homes as well local authorities with safeguarding duties, by representation at inquests and in an advisory capacity. He is familiar with the specific challenges faced by persons within the care sector who may be navigating the coronial process, from questions as to the scope and reach of Article 2, the provision of statements and attendance at pre-inquest and final hearings.

John is licenced under the Direct Access Scheme and can accept instructions directly in appropriate cases across all aspects of his practice.

Background

John previously worked as a lecturer in environmental economics in Higher Education, and later in the trade union movement. An experienced trainer, John regularly delivers seminars/in-house training across all areas of his practice to a range of different audiences. He has provided training for the Northern Circuit on Equality & Diversity and Fair Recruitment.

What the directories say

Recommended for Social Housing (Northern) in Chambers & Partners 2012-2025:

“John is an excellent barrister who is able to digest large amounts of often complex information quickly.” - Chambers and Partners 2025

"John is very good - meticulous in his preparation, excellent with tenants with mental health issues and an excellent advocate." - Chambers and Partners 2025

"John is a very experienced lawyer with excellent knowledge of housing law. He is very congenial, takes a practical approach to matters when working with a vulnerable client, and his advocacy skills are very good." - Chambers and Partners 2024

"John Hobson is a very forensic analyst of the whole legal and factual background in a case and always comes up with practical as well as legal solutions." - Chambers and Partners 2023

"...knowledgeable and down to earth. He puts clients at ease and is always a pleasure to deal with." - Chambers and Partners 2023

"...experienced and sensible, and provides an excellent level of service." - Chambers and Partners 2023

"John is very approachable and very knowledgeable." - Chambers and Partners 2022

"A strong advocate who is well respected by his peers" - Chambers and Partners 2019

"Down-to-earth with clients and meticulous in his preparation and analysis of a case" - Chambers and Partners 2019

"Particularly noted for his handling of disrepair cases and has an impressive track record in cases involving anti-social behaviour" - Chambers and Partners 2019

In the Legal 500 2025 John Hobson is ranked as a Leading Junior in Social Housing (Northern):

"John is an excellent advocate and has very good client care skills, particularly with vulnerable clients. He is very approachable and takes a practical stance when trying to find a solution, as there are often complex legal issues." Legal 500 2025

Housing and Social Welfare

John is instructed across all aspects of housing law, including possession proceedings, homelessness appeals, public law challenges under the Housing Act 1996 (including interim relief), unlawful eviction, succession claims, injunctions/committals, disrepair, tenancy deposits and matters under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.

He has extensive experience of proceedings involving anti-social behaviour and those raising issues under the Equality Act 2010. Represented the tenant in Manchester City Council v Higgins [2006] 1 ALL ER 841, a key case concerning anti-social behaviour in social housing.

Inquiries and Inquests

John has extensive experience of representing the families of those who have died in police and prison custody. He has also represented the families of individuals vulnerable by way of mental health who have died in hospital and whilst living in the community.

Experienced in advising as to the reach of Article 2 and attendant civil claims, John is also familiar with issues of anonymity/press interest pertaining to the coronial system.

He has also acted for other interested persons, including witnesses to unlawful killing, the families of individuals who have died abroad and local authorities with safeguarding duties in the care sector.

Contempt of Court

John has represented defendants in contempt of court proceedings in the High Court including the dismissal of applications to commit to prison in complex proceedings brought against three individuals arising from a defeated road traffic accident claim where fraud was alleged.

International Law and Human Rights

In 2010 John visited annexed East Jerusalem and the occupied Palestinian Territory as part of a delegation of housing lawyers organised by the organisation Avocats Sans Frontières, and examined the housing crisis of the Palestinian population generally and the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah in particular.

Enforcing Housing Rights: The Case of Sheikh Jarrah. 'Report of the fact-finding mission to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory' (Avocats Sans Frontières, 2011)

In 2017 John returned to the region, living for three months in the Northern West Bank, undertaking human rights monitoring/protective presence as part of the long-standing Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). A major focus concerned freedom of movement of farmers/access to livelihood in rural areas affected by the Separation Barrier and settlement expansion.

‘Human rights monitoring, Northern West Bank.’ (Doughty Street International Bulletin)

John retains an interest in human rights violations in Turkey, having previously been part of a legal delegation that examined prisoners’ rights and the use of isolation in Turkey’s ‘F-type’ prisons in particular.