Karolina Zielinska

Housing Law

Karolina regularly acts for landlords and tenants across the private and social housing sectors, from the initial drafting of pleadings to representation at trial.

She accepts instructions relating to a broad range of issues, such as claims relating to possession, trespass, injunctions (including ASB), disrepair (including EPA prosecutions) and money claims (e.g. deposits, rent repayment orders).

Karolina also accepts instructions in homelessness law (including judicial reviews), and frequently deals with cases raising issues of discrimination under the EA 2010.

Recent cases include:

London Borough of Lambeth v Gooden – acted for successful C local authority at 1-day trial, obtaining possession order & defeating a defence based on a purported statutory succession;
London Borough of Tower Hamlets v Regis-Thomas – acted for successful C local authority in two 1-day trials, obtaining increasingly restrictive injunction orders;
Carter v Midland Heart - acted for a successful C tenant in a 2-day disrepair claim;
Drafting pleadings in a possession claim based on sustained social housing fraud over 20 years, seeking recovery of unlawful profit of over £55,000.

Webinars and podcasts:

Employment Law

Karolina represents both claimants and respondents in a variety of employment matters, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, breach of contract, redundancy and whistleblowing cases. She has experience working with a range of clients, from inexperienced claimants to larger corporate bodies.

Karolina also accepts instructions to act for parties in judicial mediations and assessments, her experience as an accredited civil mediator informing and guiding her practice as a representative.

Recent cases include:

Mollan v Nestle UK Ltd – acted for successful R in the 4-day final hearing of a claim of automatic and ordinary unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and direct discrimination;
Thurman v The Secretary of State for Justice – acted for successful C in the 2.5-day final hearing of a claim of unfair dismissal and breach of contract.

Webinars and podcasts:

On 30th June 2026, Karolina will co-present a webinar entitled How reasonable do I have to be?!, regarding the duty to make reasonable adjustments pursuant to the EA 2010; To register using the link above.

Business & Property Law

Karolina provides advice and representation in both County Court and First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) matters, including those dealing with breach and forfeiture of leases, service of various notices, recovery of service charges and more.

Recent Property cases include:

London Borough of Southwark v Kagkwo (FTT) – acted for successful A in obtaining a favourable determination of breach of covenant;
Rowntree & Ors v Nafari – acted for successful C in obtaining an order for forfeiture in respect of commercial premises;
SCSH Freehold Investments Limited v Lucas – acted for successful C in obtaining an order for forfeiture in respect of residential premises;
Osidge Park Management Company Limited v Prithipaul & Simjee – acted for successful C in obtaining service and administration charges as sought.

Further, Karolina has represented individuals, companies and partnerships in a variety of commercial and contractual disputes, from pre-action negotiations to CCMCs and trials. She also acts for both creditors and debtors in personal and commercial insolvency matters, including bankruptcy and winding-up petitions.

Recent Business cases include:

Mitsubishi HC Capital UK Plc t/a Novuna Business Finance v (1) Ledbury Homes Ltd (2) Maugham – acted for C in an application for strike out and/or summary judgment, obtained strike out of D’s entire case on liability;
Advising and drafting pleadings in a breach of contract claim with a value of circa £600,000.
Drafting pleadings in a breach of contract claim with additional considerations of duress and equity, with a value of circa £100,000.

Webinars and podcasts:

Personal Injury

Karolina regularly advises and represents both claimants and respondents in a variety of personal injury matters, including claims arising from road traffic accidents (including credit hire matters), claims involving infants and stage 3 settlement hearings.

Recent cases include:

Guard v (1) Cornwall Council, (2) Churchill Contract Services Limited – acted for successful C in a 1-day fast track hearing where all aspects of liability/causation in dispute;
Acted for successful C (a minor, by their litigation friend) in 1-day fast track hearing.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Karolina is an accredited Civil and Commercial mediator, having undertaken training at The Society of Mediators in January 2023. Her mediation CV is available on request.

She accepts instructions to mediate a variety of civil and commercial disputes, ranging in value and complexity. Karolina's mediation practice benefits from the knowledge and experience across numerous civil and commercial practice areas gained through her work as a barrister.