Winston Jacob, a barrister at Lamb Chambers, recently secured a significant victory in the UK Supreme Court on behalf of Cresta Court E, a "right to manage" company representing leasehold owners of a residential block in Hanger Lane, London. The court ruled that Cresta Court E could acquire the right to manage despite failing to serve a participation notice to a tenant, emphasizing that the landlord, Avon Freeholds, could not benefit from a procedural mistake that caused no actual prejudice.

This case challenged a precedent set in 2024 by the Supreme Court in AI Properties, which had held that a “right to manage” company’s failure to serve a participation notice invalidated its claim. Jacob successfully persuaded the court to reconsider that ruling, arguing that procedural errors without substantive harm should not prevent leaseholders from exercising their rights.

Jacob notes that this case marked a notable moment in his career, which began when he took on his first “right to manage” case through the Bar Pro Bono Unit—now known as Advocate. This early experience introduced him to a series of complex cases under the right to manage legislation.

Outside the courtroom, Jacob credits his wife, fellow barrister Tina Kumar-Jacob, for her career support and balancing professional and family commitments while raising their two young children. Reflecting on his approach to advocacy, he highlights the importance of engaging dynamically with judicial questions rather than rigidly following prepared arguments.

Jacob also shared a humorous moment from his first Court of Appeal appearance when his mobile phone rang twice during an opponent’s submissions—an oversight he promptly corrected with apologies.

Describing the legal profession, Jacob cited the satisfaction of winning closely contested cases for clients as the career highlight, while tight deadlines imposed at short notice present ongoing challenges. On a lighter note, he expressed a personal wish for minimum walking speeds on pavements to reduce pedestrian obstructions, and named "Gladiator" as his favorite film.

The ruling in Cresta Court E’s favor signals a potentially impactful shift in how the Supreme Court interprets procedural requirements in right to manage claims, offering leaseholders greater protection against technical missteps that do not affect landlords’ interests.