About Sam O’Flaherty
Sam is a Senior Associate specialising in housing and public law. He also has experience in welfare benefits and community care law issues.
His housing work includes possession, disrepair and homelessness. He has a particular interest in judicial review challenges of public body decisions.
In 2022 Sam was the only solicitor in the UK shortlisted for the ‘Legal Aid Newcomer’ category of the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards.
Memberships
- The Housing Law Practitioners’ Association (HLPA).
- Sam is named as a key lawyer in the Legal 500.
Notable Cases
- R(ZO) v Hounslow LBC [2025] EWHC 3008 (Admin); [2025] 10 WLUK 680: established that the court’s higher test of ‘anxious scrutiny’ of a local authority’s decision making must be applied to public law challenges of their refusal to undertake a re-assessment of someone’s age. Hounslow was ordered to undertake the re-assessment and to provide child-appropriate accommodation.
- R(Ibrahim) v Westminster CC [2021] EWHC 2616 (Admin): established that new medical evidence pertaining to historic circumstances could require a local authority to accept a fresh homelessness application.
- R(Shadacia White) v LB Brent (2021) (not reported): Sam successfully challenged Brent Council’s social housing policy, which had unlawfully prevented over 1,200 homeless households from accessing social housing since 2013. As a result, Brent amended their policy to allow homeless applicants to join the housing register and bid for properties.
Client Comments
- “Excellent housing solicitor -highly recommend. I had great experience with Sam O’ Flaherty. He helped me through a stressful housing issue with professionalism, clarity, and genuine care. From the first consultation to the final resolution. He has always been responsive, knowledgeable and patient in explaining every step of the process. His expertise made a real difference in securing a positive outcome for my case. I’m truly grateful for his support and would highly recommend him to any one that needs legal assistance especially with housing matters.”
- “I had the pleasure of working with Sam on my homelessness judicial review case, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the exceptional service and support provided. Sam’s professionalism, expertise, and dedication were evident throughout the entire process, and I felt truly supported at every step. Sam went above and beyond to ensure my case was handled with care and attention to detail. It’s been a comfort knowing that I had such a skilled and compassionate solicitor on my side. I highly recommend Sam’s services to anyone seeking legal assistance. Thank you so much for all your hard work, Sam!”
- “My solicitor was Sam O’Flaherty… Sam is a friendly, intelligent and kind solicitor. I’ve no previous experience of law, but Sam made it all most agreeable/straight forward, to understand. I appreciated the step by step approach, on acting on his legal advice, in the emailed and printed letters, i received…All the very best to Sam…”
- “I can’t thank my attorney Sam O’Flaherty enough for all of his assistance and focus. He’s been a lifeline, ensuring that my mother didn’t become homeless during a difficult time. Sam’s availability at all hours of the day and night, as well as his unwavering support, have been irreplaceable to us. His dedication to providing frequent updates, paired with his outstanding skill, has made this experience far less worrying. I can confidently state that no other lawyer compared to Sam. His compassion and skill set him apart in the legal profession, and my family and I will be forever grateful for his extraordinary service. Thank you for being such an amazing representative, Sam.”
Tim Baldwin, barrister:
- “I have been extremely impressed not only by his legal and intellectual ability but also his clear commitment to the cause not only of individual claimants and defendant tenants but the wider implication for other persons affected by unlawful acts of public bodies. Sam is truly a rising star in the world of homelessness, social housing and community care as indicated by not only the outcome of in the case of White but also as instructing solicitor for the claimant in R(Ibrahim) v City of Westminster [2021] EWHC 2616 (Admin). This and Sam’s other case work is truly impressive combined with his enthusiasm and drive for the work. This is something much more experienced solicitors would often struggle with whereas as Sam appears to take it easily in his stride … he is among the best junior solicitors I have ever worked with over many years of practice.”
Ed Fitzpatrick, barrister:
- “Sam is indefatigable in the pursuit of justice for his clients. If one argument fails he will seek out another to find a pathway to success for his clients”
Liz Davies KC, barrister:
- “Having been instructed by him I can assure you he’s brilliant, he’s persistent, he’s rigorous and he leaves no stone unturned. You would want him on your side if you were challenging a difficult homelessness decision.”
- “If you ever need a lawyer, ask for Sam O’Flaherty; he’s been fantastic and is the perfect individual to defend your case. I’ve had the best experience with his professional expertise, and I’ve felt trust in him since the first time I spoke with him. There are no words to express the outstanding work he has done; he always keeps me informed of updates in our case; he spared my family from being homeless; and we were protected at all costs because of Sam…Sam is someone you will need on your side because, believe me, he is exceptionally excellent. I can’t thank Sam enough for his work; I don’t believe anyone can replicate his work or him as a person given that he’s the kindest and most professional lawyer available.”
Career & Education
- Sam graduated from the University of Kent in 2014 with a first class honours degree in Law and passed the Legal Practice Course with distinction in 2016. Sam has been advising on housing law issues since 2015 and has been practising as a solicitor since April 2020.
Further Reading 
Opinion
