Emily Gasson: A Leading Housing Law Expert and Advocate for Disability Awareness
Emily Gasson is a respected solicitor, consultant, and trainer specialising in housing law across the UK. Known for her extensive work with local authorities and housing associations, she has built a reputation for expert advice and practical solutions that benefit both landlords and tenants. Alongside her professional achievements, Emily is also recognised for her personal journey, living with a chronic illness and championing the cause of disabled carers. This article delves deep into her career, expertise, health challenges, and public role, offering an informative and comprehensive profile of Emily Gasson.
Who is Emily Gasson?
Emily Gasson is a highly experienced solicitor and consultant who has dedicated nearly two decades to housing law. Based in Kingston Upon Thames, England, she works independently and collaboratively with various organisations to ensure the fair and effective implementation of housing legislation. Emily’s approach balances the interests of landlords and tenants, recognising the complex nature of housing management and legal compliance.
Her academic background is notable, having studied at both the University of Oxford and Durham University, where she earned her master’s degree. This solid educational foundation has supported her throughout her career, equipping her with the skills to navigate and interpret complex legal frameworks.
Professional Expertise and Experience
Extensive Experience in Housing Law
Since 2005, Emily Gasson has been a leading figure at Affordable Action, a consultancy where she functions as a trainer, consultant, and solicitor. Her work spans several core areas of housing law, including:
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Right to Buy and Right to Acquire schemes
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Fixed-term tenancies
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Leasehold management
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Service charge collection
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Housing management
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Rent arrears and debt collection
Emily has worked closely with an impressive array of local authorities and housing associations across the UK. Some of her collaborations include partnerships with Nuneaton Borough Council, Slough Borough Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Metropolitan Housing Association, Southway Housing Trust, and many others.
Training and Consultancy
Apart from direct legal work, Emily is highly regarded as a trainer, delivering courses and workshops for organisations like the Chartered Institute of Housing, Campbell Tickell, Central Law Training, and Shelter. Her training focuses on practical applications of housing law, equipping housing professionals and local government officers with the knowledge to manage legal issues effectively and compassionately.
Leadership Roles
Before her consultancy role, Emily headed the legal department at South Somerset Homes, which is now part of Yarlington Housing Group. She also has experience working in private legal practice, representing both tenants and landlords in public and private sectors. This breadth of experience across sectors adds depth to her understanding of housing law’s real-world impact.
Emily Gasson’s Personal Life and Health
Age and Background
Emily Gasson is estimated to be in her late 50s. Although her exact birthdate is not publicly disclosed, her long career and life milestones provide a general age range. She is married to Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, with whom she shares two children. Their partnership is both personal and political, united by shared values and public service.
Illness and Disability
In 2012, Emily was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the nervous system. MS is known for its unpredictable pattern of flare-ups and remissions, which can cause varying degrees of disability. Emily has been open about her diagnosis and the challenges it presents, especially as her condition worsened during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Despite these difficulties, Emily remains actively engaged in her work and advocacy. She has expressed a strong desire to raise awareness about the needs of disabled individuals and carers, aiming to improve support systems and reduce stigma. Her lived experience gives her a unique perspective on disability rights and social justice.
The Role of Emily Gasson as an Advocate
Emily’s personal health journey has propelled her into a public role beyond her legal career. She advocates for disabled carers—those who provide round-the-clock support to family members or loved ones with disabilities. In interviews and public appearances, Emily has highlighted the need for better resources, recognition, and financial support for carers.
Her advocacy aligns with her professional commitment to social justice, particularly in housing. Safe, affordable housing is often a critical issue for disabled people and their carers, making Emily’s combined focus on housing law and disability rights particularly impactful.
Emily Gasson and Ed Davey: A Partnership in Public Life
Emily’s marriage to Sir Ed Davey, a prominent politician and current leader of the Liberal Democrats, is well known in British political and social circles. They married in 2005 and have supported each other through personal and professional challenges.
Ed Davey has been vocal about Emily’s health challenges and the importance of family support and societal awareness of disabilities. Together, they exemplify how public figures can use their platforms to champion inclusion and care for disabled individuals and their families.
Key Contributions and Impact
Housing Law Expertise
Emily’s work has significantly shaped how housing law is applied in the UK, especially for local authorities and housing associations. Her specialisms, such as Right to Buy and leasehold management, address complex legal issues affecting thousands of people.
By training housing professionals and advising organisations, Emily helps ensure that landlords and tenants operate within legal frameworks that protect rights and promote fair treatment. This work helps reduce conflicts and improve housing conditions nationwide.
Disability Awareness and Support
Through her advocacy, Emily has brought attention to the realities of living with MS and the challenges faced by disabled carers. By sharing her story, she humanises the experience of disability and stresses the importance of support systems.
Her public profile encourages empathy, policy change, and increased funding for carers’ services. This dual role—legal expert and disability advocate—makes Emily a compelling and influential figure in UK social justice.
Conclusion
Emily Gasson’s career as a housing law consultant, solicitor, and trainer spans nearly two decades, marked by expertise, dedication, and practical impact. Beyond her professional achievements, her personal journey with multiple sclerosis and her advocacy for disabled carers enrich her contributions to society.
Her work benefits local authorities, housing associations, and the many individuals affected by housing policies. Simultaneously, her openness about her health challenges and her efforts to support disabled carers underscore the power of personal experience in driving social change.
Emily Gasson represents a unique blend of legal acumen, compassionate advocacy, and resilient spirit, making her a notable figure in both housing law and disability rights in the UK.
