Bernadette Chikwe

Housing Director & Solicitor

Accepting new clients via ReviewSolicitors

I am a Director of Housing at Duncan Lewis having joined the firm in 2013. I supervise a team of solicitors, trainees and caseworkers who all specialise in Housing Law. I have over 15 years of post-qualification experience and I specialise in all aspects of housing litigation and tenant/landlord social housing matters. I have been a duty solicitor since 2002 at both Bow County Court and also the Central London County Court. I have copious experience in both dealing with privately rented, local authority and social landlords rent and other grounds possession proceedings. I also have experience in dealing with mortgage possession proceedings and charging order proceedings. I have also assisted clients in making applications to suspend warrants of eviction. As a duty solicitor, I have given clients face to face advice before and after their hearings. I have liaised with third parties and represented them in relation to their hearings and made referrals to other organisations following the hearing when appropriate and confirmed the advice and outcome to the client in writing after the hearing. I have experience supervising a remote advice service through the LAA Civil Legal Advice - this means representing clients and progressing cases remotely by representing clients UK-wide and handling their instructions on an exclusively remote basis through non face to face communications such as Skype, Telephone and Email. I am listed as a Recommended Individual in The Legal 500 for my work representing an individual in possession proceedings arising out of the client's inability to assume tenancy due to her immigration status. I speak Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, some German and basic French.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 608682

  • Based in London
  • Licensed for 5 years

Accepting new clients via ReviewSolicitors

I am a Director of Housing at Duncan Lewis having joined the firm in 2013. I supervise a team of solicitors, trainees and caseworkers who all specialise in Housing Law. I have over 15 years of post-qualification experience and I specialise in all aspects of housing litigation and tenant/landlord social housing matters. I have been a duty solicitor since 2002 at both Bow County Court and also the Central London County Court. I have copious experience in both dealing with privately rented, local authority and social landlords rent and other grounds possession proceedings. I also have experience in dealing with mortgage possession proceedings and charging order proceedings. I have also assisted clients in making applications to suspend warrants of eviction. As a duty solicitor, I have given clients face to face advice before and after their hearings. I have liaised with third parties and represented them in relation to their hearings and made referrals to other organisations following the hearing when appropriate and confirmed the advice and outcome to the client in writing after the hearing. I have experience supervising a remote advice service through the LAA Civil Legal Advice - this means representing clients and progressing cases remotely by representing clients UK-wide and handling their instructions on an exclusively remote basis through non face to face communications such as Skype, Telephone and Email. I am listed as a Recommended Individual in The Legal 500 for my work representing an individual in possession proceedings arising out of the client's inability to assume tenancy due to her immigration status. I speak Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, some German and basic French.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 608682

  • Based in London
  • Licensed for 5 years

ReviewSolicitors Suitability Check

See availability

Expertise

Costs


Please enter a search query before checking suitability.
Our AI couldn’t identify the legal issue in that search 🤔 Try describing the legal problem in a different way.
3.7
Very Good
73%
Value for
Money
67%
Success
Rate
67%
Would
Recommend
Communication 3.7/5
Initial Impressions 5.0/5
Approachability 3.7/5
Documentation Accuracy 3.7/5
Legal Knowledge 4.7/5
Value for money 3.7/5
Expertise

Opening hours

Monday 09:30–17:30
Tuesday 09:30–17:30
Wednesday 09:30–17:30
Thursday 09:30–17:30
Friday 09:30–17:30
Saturday (Closed)
Sunday (Closed)

Sackville House, 143-149 Fenchurch Street, London, EC3M 6BL

Reviews

3.7 /5 3 Reviews
Filter your results
Star rating
Review Source

Rating

Review Source

ReviewSolicitors Review List

Profile image of Kel

Kel

Two Complaints & STILL IGNORED by Directors Including CEO

The TEAM ARE NOT passionate about giving people a voice & unless you do the work yourself providing them with truth no legal representation would occur. May be the largest legal aid provider but as above in fact, you are ignored not consulted spoken to with very ill manner, Not Professional by any stretch. NO NO They do not excel here at representing society's most vulnerable with care and empathy. My CASE IS THREE YEARS ONGOING WITH MANY SOLICITORS TAKING OVER IVE HAD TO RESEND DOCUMENTS REPEAT MY CASE AND NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH IM UTTERLY IGNORED NOT CONSULTED EVEN AFTER COMPLAINING TWICE to which it still goes on. I’ve two other cases I’ve disclosed stating I will pay privately take food out of my mouth to do so, told both would be raised again nothing is s done? I’ve contacted the CEO and directors all have ignored me, I’m now going to have to announce the failures via social media and Ombudsman they cannot even get the complaints correct & have offered m, £100.00 (it’s not the answer a person needs legal representation do your job it is not your clients area of knowledge but we are being made to learn and they take the credit? IT IS TRULY CONCERNING & EXTREMELY SIMPLE SICKENING TO ONES CORE WITH THE ADDED STRESS OF TOTAL DISREGARD) All legal matters are stressful but to those suffering and then having to be disregarded by their own Solicitor’s not just one but all, is unacceptable.

Solicitors tagged in
this review

A representative from Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd responded to this review

Dear Kel Thank you for your review. We are sorry to hear about this. We can confirm that your previous concern was fully investigated, a response was provided and a goodwill offer was made at the time. We did not receive a response to that offer. You were also advised at the time that you had the right to refer the matter to the Legal Ombudsman. Your most recent complaint has been acknowledged and is currently being handled in accordance with our complaints handling procedure. To ensure consistency and a fair outcome, we kindly ask that all correspondence continue through the appropriate complaints channel. We remain committed to resolving this matter and will be in touch once our investigation is complete. Kind regards, Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd.

4
Collected on: ReviewSolicitor collection source logo
Profile image of KONSTANTINOS

KONSTANTINOS

Housing & Property

Fortunate to have chosen Duncan Lewis Solicitors!

I was very fortunate to have chosen Duncan Lewis Solicitors as my representatives to deal with my eviction matter. Ms Bernadette Chikwe handled my case very professionally, with legal knowledge and care that made feel like a human being! She explained to me in a simple and concrete manner what I had to provide and the possible outcome which was the best I wished for. She was always there for me, ready to listen to my worries and qualms. I am ever so grateful to her and recommend Duncan Lewis Solicitors unreservedly.

Solicitors tagged in
this review

A representative from Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd responded to this review

Dear KONSTANTINOS Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to leave us such a positive review. We are delighted to hear that you were satisfied with Housing Director Bernadette Chikwe. We take great pride in supporting our clients and ensuring they feel heard and represented throughout their legal journey. Kind regards, Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd.

0
Collected on: ReviewSolicitor collection source logo
Profile image of Dee

Dee

Housing Issue

Was very pleased with how Duncan Lewis handled my Case, was very professional from start to finish, kept in contact with me thoughout via emails, on the day of me attending Court, Solicitor secured the best possible outcome.

Legal experts tagged in
this review

A representative from Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd responded to this review

Dear Dee We are extremely pleased to hear that you had a positive experience with Director Bernadette Chikwe and Trainee Solicitor David Quee of our Housing Law team. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our team, if you ever require legal services in the future. Kind regards, Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd.

1
Collected on: ReviewSolicitor collection source logo

Learn if this solicitor can assist you

Discover the right legal expertise tailored to your needs. Assess availability, delve into specialised knowledge, and understand costs transparently.

Our platform, dedicated to collecting solicitor reviews, ranks them based on value, quality, and ethical standards, guiding you to informed decisions.

See availability
Check expertise
Estimate Costs
Clear