She predominantly works in homelessness, residential property disputes, discrimination and equality law, human rights, administrative law and immigration. Her core practice areas allow for a niche expertise in the cross-over between housing and immigration law, in eligibility, NASS accommodation, trafficking and modern slavery.

Rea regularly acts in judicial reviews, including urgent and out of hours applications for interim relief, as well as appellate work in the High Court and onward appeals to the Court of Appeal.

Rea also has a substantial advisory practice and provides training on Equality Act 2010 damages claims and duties, eligibility, right to rent, and on procedure in judicial review.

She has detailed, technical knowledge of housing law having served as the first writer for the Housing Law Reports and, prior to that, as the Deputy Assistant Editor of the Encylopedia of Housing Law and Practice.

What the Directories Say

Rea is ranked in Chambers and Partners 2024/2025:

"Rea fights hard and skilfully for her clients."

"Rea Murray provides excellent insight into complex cases and strong, well-drafted arguments regarding Equalities Act and protected characteristics in the context of a Housing Act appeal."

"She is effective, thorough and responsive when advising on highly complex matters."

Recent Key Cases

Rea acted for the Claimant in R(FG) v Kensington & Chelsea RLBC [2024] EWHC 780 (Admin); [2024] 4WLUK 42, a key issue being whether the claim fell within Part 3 or Part 4, Equality Act 2010 and the scope and application of the duty to make reasonable adjustments.

Rea represented the Appellant in the Court of Appeal in R(on the application of Ahamed) v Haringey LBC [2023] EWCA Civ 975; [2023] HLR 43. The Court held that it is possible for an applicant with priority need for housing to be homeless, and therefore owed the main housing duty under section 193(2), Housing Act 1996, despite having suitable accommodation available for occupation and a reasonable prospect of retaining it for at least six months within the meaning of section 189B(7)(a)).

She acted for the Second Defendant in a discrimination law judicial review from the Divisional Court, to the Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court in R(Z and another) v Hackney LBC (1) and Agudas Israel Housing Association (2) [2020] UKSC 40.

Rea has been granted permission by the Court of Appeal to challenge a local authority’s approach to section 184, Housing Act 1996, in an appeal as to the essential requirements for a lawful decision for section 184(3). She is also seeking permission in an appeal involving historic domestic abuse and the scope of Chapter 21, Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities.

Writing

R. (on the application of Z) v (1) Hackney LBC and (2) Agudas Israel Housing Association—The Significance for Housing Law, Journal of Housing Law Vol 24, Issue 2, 2021

Until Death us do Terminate – succession law and notice to quit, Nearly Legal, July 2018

Asylum Seeker Accommodation and Article 8, Journal of Housing Law, Vol. 21, Issue 2 2018

Previous experience

Prior to becoming a barrister, Rea was employed in private practice as a paralegal in a specialist immigration law firm. As such she has extensive knowledge of the Tribunal system and immigration law. She completed a specialist housing pupillage and practised in property law.

She has a PhD in international development.