Youssef Soliman

Youssef is an unregistered barrister with a practice focused on advocacy, public law, housing and complex disputes involving public authorities. He has appeared in more than 100 court hearings and has substantial experience representing individuals in possession proceedings, urgent applications and other County Court matters.

His work has a strong public law dimension. He regularly deals with questions concerning statutory duties, public-authority decision-making, procedural fairness, Equality Act considerations and the lawfulness of decisions affecting individuals. His wider experience includes homelessness and suitability matters, grounds of appeal, skeleton arguments, written representations and strategic advice on procedural and substantive legal issues.

Advocacy & Court Experience

Youssef has acted as a County Court Duty Advocate, appearing regularly in possession lists and contested hearings.

His experience includes:

• More than 100 court hearings

• Residential possession proceedings

• Social and private landlord disputes

• Mortgage possession matters

• Urgent and interim applications

• Equality Act and public law defences

• Procedural and enforcement applications

• Grounds of appeal and skeleton arguments

• Negotiation and settlement at court

He has twice received judicial commendation for negotiated outcomes achieved while representing defendants in possession proceedings.

Public Law

Public law runs through much of Youssef's practice.

His work involves scrutinising decisions made by public authorities, identifying the source and limits of statutory powers and considering whether decision-makers have followed lawful and fair procedures.

His experience includes matters concerning:

• Statutory duties

• Local authority decision-making

• Homelessness and housing duties

• Procedural fairness

• Evidential assessment

• Equality Act 2010 issues

• Public law defences in possession proceedings

• Appeals and challenges to administrative decisions

• Written representations to public bodies

This experience informs his work with students and individuals challenging decisions made by universities and other institutions exercising significant decision-making powers.

Case Strategy & Advisory Work

Alongside advocacy, Youssef provides detailed legal analysis and case strategy.

He has experience reviewing substantial case papers, identifying the central factual and legal issues and producing focused written advice. His drafting experience includes opinions, skeleton arguments, applications, grounds of appeal, representations and litigation correspondence.

His approach is centred on identifying the issues that actually determine the outcome of a case and presenting them clearly and persuasively.

Access to Justice

Youssef founded the Survivors' Compensation Advocacy Project, an initiative providing legal support to survivors of modern slavery and exploitation.

Through this work, he has dealt with statutory compensation schemes, evidential requirements, procedural fairness and challenges to administrative decisions. He has also developed relationships with national charities, trade unions and organisations supporting survivors.

Education & Bar Training

Inns of Court College of Advocacy
Bar Course, Very Competent

Youssef achieved particularly strong results in litigation, including:

• 94% in Criminal Litigation

• 88% in Civil Litigation

He was subsequently called to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln's Inn.

University of Hertfordshire
LLB Law, First Class Honours

Advocacy & Recognition

• Winner, Crowther Shield Public Speaking Competition, Lincoln's Inn

• Finalist, 6KBW College Hill Criminal Advocacy Competition

• Quarter-finalist, Oxford University Press National Mooting Competition

• Two judicial commendations for negotiated outcomes in County Court proceedings

• More than 100 court hearings

The Crowther Shield is Lincoln's Inn's public speaking competition and involved assessed advocacy before practising barristers.

Professional Activities

• Unregistered Barrister

• County Court Duty Advocate

• Housing Law Consultant

• Founder, Survivors' Compensation Advocacy Project

• Former Vice-President, Lincoln's Inn Students' Association

Areas of Focus

Youssef's work particularly focuses on:

• Public law

• Education and university disputes

• Housing law

• Equality and discrimination

• Civil litigation

• Administrative decision-making

• Appeals and procedural challenges

• Advocacy and case strategy