Jacky Starling

Jacky has been with the firm since joining as a trainee in 1993. She qualified as a solicitor in 1995, became a Partner in 1999, and then the Senior Partner in 2015. Jacky has substantial compliance and management responsibilities, wearing various “hats” including being the firm’s COLP (Compliance Officer for Legal Practice).

Jacky is passionate about the provision of high quality, holistic legal advice and representation, publicly funded wherever possible. She has acted as duty solicitor on possession days at the local County Courts for approximately 20 years, currently doing so at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court. Her specialisms are housing and social security law, and she undertakes limited casework in these areas. She is listed as a key housing lawyer in the Legal 500.

Jacky also sits as a part-time First-tier Tribunal Judge (Social Security and Entitlement Chamber).

Notable cases

• N v Chief Adjudication Officer [1999] 4AIIER 677: Instructed solicitor in the lead House of Lords case on the definition of ‘habitual residence’. 
• S and others v UK [2005] 42 EHRR: Instructed solicitor in the ECHR case on the definition of social security benefits as possessions under article 1 Protocol.

Panel memberships

• Housing Law Practitioners’ Association

Recommendations

Jacky Starling and Emily Black always present themselves in a professional manner when addressing the judiciary in court

– The Legal 500 (2025)

Jacky Starling conducts herself in a very professional manner when dealing with clients.

– The Legal 500 (2024)

A true long standing legal aid warrior.

– The Legal 500 (2023)

Jacky Starling and ‘very well-respected solicitor’ Katie Brown, who jointly lead the practice, are experienced in defending possession claims brought on the grounds of rent arrears and anti-social behaviour, as well as sub-letting, breaches of tenancy and under the section 21 notice procedure.

– Legal 500 UK (2022)

Sources describe Jacky Starling as “excellent”. One client notes: “She is one of the best; she is experienced, knowledgeable and makes good judgments.”

– Chambers and Partners UK (2016) 

A very committed, completely reliable practitioner, who focuses on possession proceedings, homelessness and community care.