Dominic Preston

About me

Dominic Preston is a public law lawyer specialising in housing, community care and Court of Protection work. His housing practice is centred on homelessness, allocations and disputes concerning residential premises, whether rented or leasehold and it necessarily strays into immigration law, community care and child care law, EU law, discrimination law, and human rights law. 

His Court of Protection work specialises in the cross-over between mental capacity and housing, with a particular expertise in hoarder cases and the related deprivation of liberty issues that arise. His community care work centres on obtaining accommodation and assistance under the Care Act 2014. He appears regularly in the lower courts, the High Court and the appellate courts. Dominic is recognised as a leading junior in social housing by Chambers and Partners which recommends him as "a fearless fighter, not afraid of tackling a contentious case." "He is a straight opponent, capable of being robust in the interest of the vulnerable client"(2015), "always accessible, appropriate and effective" (2014), "thorough, thoughtful and reliable," a "really good opponent to have" (2013), known “for his technical ability and excellent judgment, as well as his straightforward and easy manner” (2012) and “… his sharp mind and impressive workload were both highlighted by peers ...” (2011). 

He is also listed in Legal 500. Dominic’s commitment to the need to secure housing for the most vulnerable is reflected in his practice and he has been on the executive of the Housing Law Practitioner’s Association since 2004. He is the deputy team leader of Doughty Street’s Housing and Social Welfare Team. As well as regularly speaking on housing, community care and mental health law topics, Dominic has a strong commitment to writing on housing issues. Since 2002 he has co-written the Housing title of Atkins Court Forms, most recently updated in 2014 and he wrote the Harassment and Anti-Social Behaviour title in the same volume. Between 2005 and 2007 he co-wrote the quarterly Housing Law Update for the Solicitors Journal and he has written for a number of other legal journals. Dominic has also appeared on Radio 4’s Money Box Live.