Natasha Bellinger

Natasha regularly advises businesses and individuals on contractual matters including business to business and consumer disputes, as well as insolvency and bankruptcy issues.

By way of example, some of the cases Natasha has dealt with include:

• Claims in both tort and contract
• Second hand car sales where the vehicles are not of satisfactory quality
• Disputes over repairs to vehicles, including prestige vehicles
• Claims based in misrepresentation and collateral contracts
• Advising on professional negligence and breach of service contracts
• Claims in respect of the Consumer Rights Act
• Disputes over the ownership of animals
• Defective workmanship

Natasha has experience in claims brought under the Data Protection Act and is available to assist businesses and individuals with their obligations under GDPR.  As part of her work with the Environment Agency, she also has experience of dealing with freedom of information requests.

Natasha further understands and has experience of the additional considerations relevant to public bodies, including agencies and local authorities.  Natasha was involved in a dispute concerning an historic contract whereby legislation had devolved responsibilities to different bodies, both public and private, which involved far-reaching issues concerning its construction, interpretation and the proper process (arbitration) for resolution of disputes.

Natasha’s busy housing practice includes advising and representing both claimants and defendants in possession claims, injunction and committal applications.  Natasha regularly represents parties in cases involving anti-social behaviour, hoarding, Equality Act 2010, public law defences and human rights.  Natasha also has a growing case load in the area of homelessness law.

Natasha advises clients on all matters relating to property litigation, including the construction of easements, and in particular rights of way over residential and commercial property, including ancillary rights, such as parking and right of repair.  Natasha has also dealt with cases involving misrepresentation in property sales and in particular a case involving the sale of a property afflicted by Japanese Knotweed.

Natasha advises on disputes concerning nuisance and negligence claims.

Natasha’s property practice is complimented by her public and administrative work, which includes planning and environmental work.  Natasha understands the unique pressures on public bodies as a Member of the AG’s list of panel counsel and in her previous role at the Environment Agency.

Natasha represented the Environment Agency in a long running trespass claim concerning boats mooring on the River Thames, which raised a number of human rights, public body, and public rights of navigation issues.  Natasha has also represented local authorities and other clients in trespass claims concerning both residential and commercial property.

Natasha accepts instructions in relation to matters involving personal injury, including occupier’s liability and road traffic accidents.  She regularly acts for defendant public bodies in defending claims.

Natasha has a particular specialisation in matters relating to the field of environmental and regulatory law having previously been seconded to the Environment Agency and then employed as a senior lawyer within the Flooding and Coastal Risk Management Team. During this time Natasha not only enhanced her expertise in this area but was involved with general civil litigation, nuisance actions, human rights issues, negligence and contractual claims.  A National Advisory lawyer managing a diverse case load advising on all aspects of water and managing flood risk ranging from the delivery of schemes, regulatory issues, drafting and advising on contracts, Natasha’s case load engaged a wide ambit of issues with an environment focus.

Natasha acts for local authorities on environmental issues.  In particular, Natasha has represented local authorities in matters relating to the prosecution of listed building offences and breach of enforcement notices.  Natasha has also advised both claimant and defendants about abatement of nuisance and matters under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Natasha was a junior (led by Gavin Collett) and advocated in the high-profile statutory challenge in the Administrative Court by Sustainable Totnes Action Group (representative claimant J Williams) concerning the controversial traffic regulation order made by Devon County Council in Totnes, the decision was upheld on appeal to the Court of Appeal (Williams & Others (The Sustainable Totnes Action Group) v Devon County Council [2015] EWHC 568 (Admin)).

• Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice
• ADR Group Accredited Civil and Commercial Mediator
• Bar Professional Training Course – Very Competent (awarded the ‘BPTC Tutors’ prize for best overall performance)
• LLB Law (Hons) – Upper Second Class (awarded the ‘School of Law prize’ for outstanding contribution to the Law School and the ‘Peter English Memorial Prize’ for the best Criminal Law Dissertation. Also the recipient of the Goodman Derrick LLP Scholarship (2008-2011)).

• Member of the Western Circuit
• Affiliate Member of the Devon and Somerset Law Society (DASLS)
• Member of the Planning and Environment Bar Association
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Natasha enjoys teaching law at the University of Exeter and loves spending time with her family, including her two dogs.