The Legal 500

United Kingdom > London Bar > Property litigation (including agriculture and housing)

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Index of tables

  1. Property litigation (including agriculture and housing) – Leading Sets
  2. Property litigation (including agriculture and housing) – Leading Silks
  3. Property litigation (including agriculture and housing) – New Silks
  4. Property litigation (including agriculture and housing) – Leading Juniors

Property litigation (including agriculture and housing) – Leading Silks

Property litigation (including agriculture and housing) – Leading Juniors

Falcon Chambers houses a ‘very strong set of barristers at all levels’, with wide-ranging expertise in both property litigation and agricultural matters. Nicholas Dowding QC is ‘quite simply at the top of the tree, combining hard work with personality and technical brilliance’. Timothy Fancourt QC offers ‘strong intellect and a very good client manner’; Guy Fetherstonhaugh QC is ‘a strong and committed advocate and the king of rent review work’; and Jonathan Gaunt QC has ‘one of the best brains in the business’. Among the juniors, Wayne Clark is ‘a very safe pair of hands’, receiving ‘top marks for client service’; Anthony Radevsky is ‘clearly the leading light on leasehold enfranchisement’; and Mark Sefton is ‘calm, methodical and brilliantly persuasive’. Also recommended are ‘the commercial and pragmaticGary Cowen; Emily Windsor (‘an iron fist in a velvet glove’); and the ‘very clever and down-to-earthAdam Rosenthal. Edward Peters is a ‘rising star in the field’.

Recommended for its high-quality clerking and value for money, Landmark Chambersbends over backwards for its clients’. John Male QC is ‘an excellent rent review QC with a razor-sharp mind’. Katharine Holland QC, who took silk in 2010, has a ‘deserved reputation for powerful cross-examinations’. At junior level, Nicholas Taggart has ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of the law’; Camilla Lamont is a ‘trusted adviser who has impressive technical ability’; and Myriam Stacey is ‘consistently excellent and very good on her feet’. David Holland QC and the ‘very talentedTim Morshead QC took silk in 2011.

Maitland Chambers is ‘packed full of really strong practitioners and has very responsive clerks’. The ‘extremely client-friendlyEdwin Johnson QC is ‘very good in the area of leasehold reform’, and Christopher Pymont QC is ‘exceptionally bright and very meticulous’. The ‘outstandingJohn McGhee QC is ‘a joy to watch in action’; he is ‘fast on his feet and phenomenal at cross-examination’. New silks Amanda Tipples QC (‘very sharp and willing to go the extra mile’) and Andrew Walker QC (‘approachable and very knowledgeable’) are also highly regarded. Of the juniors, Mark Wonnacott is a ‘brilliant litigator’; Timothy Dutton has ‘good technical knowledge’; Timothy Harry delivers ‘considered and well-researched advice’; and Philomena Harrisongets to the heart of issues very quickly’.

Wilberforce Chambers is ‘a very strong set for property work, and the clerks are always available and willing to help’. Leading property silks include Michael Barnes QC, the ‘outstandingJonathan Karas QC, and Jonathan Seitler QC (‘perfect with clients, perfect at negotiation and a heavyweight persuasive advocate’). Of the juniors, the ‘impressiveJulian Greenhill is ‘a reliable resource’; Tiffany Scott is commended for her ‘intellect and proactive approach’; and the ‘responsiveDaniel Hochberg is ‘strong on paper’. The ‘very friendly and easy-to-work-withMartin Hutchings QC took silk in 2011.

Enterprise Chambers has ‘real depth of ability’ and members who are ‘very businesslike and willing to assist’. Zia Bhaloo QC is the set’s leading property silk; ‘her command of the law is second to none’, and she is praised as ‘a smiling assassin’ in cross-examination. The ‘committed and extremely persuasiveCaroline Hutton is well versed in agricultural matters; James Barkercombines intelligence with a strong commercial sense’; and Tim Calland is ‘one of the future stars of the Bar’.

At the ‘exceptionally well-runSelborne Chambers, Romie Tager QC is good for ‘unusual or difficult cases requiring a novel but hard-hat approach’. Among the juniors, Mark Warwick reaps praise from clients; ‘if you need someone to turn something around in record time he will do it, and he will do it very well’. Gary Blakerstays calm and unflustered under pressure’; Stuart Hornett is ‘bright, approachable and a pleasure to work with’; and Philip Kremen is ‘always very well prepared’.

Serle Court is a ‘dynamic and well-focused’ set, where Frank Hinks QC is ‘extremely intelligent and very good tactically’, and Philip Jones QC is ‘particularly impressive in conference with clients’. Christopher Stoner QC, who took silk in 2010, is ‘an absolutely first-class advocate and a real fighter in court’. Highly recommended juniors include Andrew Francis (‘a real leader in rights of light work’); Thomas Braithwaite, who has a ‘superb, businesslike manner with clients’; and Andrew Bruce (‘very quick at analysing a situation and cutting through to the issues’).

The ‘excellentTanfield Chambers is recommended for its ‘client-focused approach’. Although a relatively new silk, Philip Rainey QC is ‘quite simply outstanding, and excels through his intellect’. The set has a strong offering at junior level, where Michael Buckpitt is ‘very practical and hands on’; and Christopher Heather has ‘excellent technical ability, particularly when it comes to complex enfranchisement matters’. James Fieldsend is one to watch and ‘very much a rising star, who has the ability to more than hold his own when up against top property QCs’.

Arden Chambers is ‘a pre-eminent set for housing law’, with Andrew Arden QC praised by clients as ‘the top housing barrister in the country, with encyclopaedic knowledge of the sector’. Christopher Baker is ‘Arden’s natural successor’ and is also ‘immensely knowledgeable’; and Andrew Dymond provides ‘very good written advice, and is excellent on technical cases’.

Garden Court Chambers is ‘exceptional in housing law’, where the barristers are ‘dedicated and go the extra mile for clients’. Jan Luba QC is ‘incredibly professional and committed’; and Stephen Knafler QC ‘combines erudite legal analysis with a clear style of presentation’. Of the juniors, Liz Davies is ‘everyone’s first for homeless issues’; and Beatrice Prevatt ‘leaves no stone unturned’.

Adept at handling both property disputes and housing cases, Hardwicke’s specialist barristers are supported by an ‘accessible and efficient’ clerking team. Michelle Stevens-Hoare is ‘a very compelling advocate’, and John de Waal gives ‘clear, concise advice’. The ‘very knowledgeableKerry Bretherton and the ‘approachableAndrew Lane are also recommended.

At Henderson Chambers, Jonathan Steinert has a ‘brilliant intellect which he combines with a street fighter’s “never say die” approach to litigation’; and Andrew Daviesconducts cross-examination calmly and politely, but with dogged determination that would test any witness’. Adam Heppinstall and ‘formidable advocateMalcolm Sheehan are also recommended.

New Square ChambersGeorge Laurence QC is ‘very hardworking and focused’; and James Thom QC is ‘meticulously prepared and always seems to get the judge on his side’. Kenneth Munro is well known for his expertise in leasehold enfranchisement, and is ‘never anything other than totally committed and prepared’. Stephen Schaw Milleroffers tremendous advice, and is extremely pleasant to work with’.

At Radcliffe Chambers, Peter Crampin QC delivers ‘clear, robust advice’, and Keith Rowley QC has ‘a fearsome intellect and the ability to cut to the chase’. Of the juniors, Marie-Claire Bleasdale is ‘a safe pair of hands and an excellent team player’, and David di Mambro delivers ‘sound judgement and adds value to any case’.

Doughty Street Chambers’ Tracey Bloom is ‘a very safe pair of hands for any housing law case, and always comes out fighting’. Robert Latham’s knowledge of the sector, and grasp of the wider context, is ‘second to none’.

At Ten Old Square, Jonathan Gavaghan is ‘an excellent advocate, who implements thorough research and preparation’; Samuel Laughton is ‘both good on paper and good on his feet’; and Evan Price’s arguments in court are ‘strong and well assured’.

Also recommended are: Vivian Chapman QC at 9 Stone Buildings, who has ‘vast expertise in village green issues’; and David Halpern QC of Four New Square. Of the juniors, Ranjit Bhose’s knowledge of landlord and tenant matters is ‘up there with the very best’ at 2-3 Gray’s Inn Square; and Paul Letman of 3 Hare Court is ‘very well versed in enfranchisement legislation’. The ‘very brightPatrick Rolfe at 5 Stone Buildings is also recommended. Recent moves include the 'exceptionalJeremy Cousins QC (formerly of Selborne Chambers) joining 11 Stone Buildings. At Field Court Chambers, Miles Croally and Adrian Davis are highly regarded.

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
    - 11KBW
  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW
  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
    - 11KBW
  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
    - 11KBW
  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
    - 11KBW
  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
    - 11KBW
  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.
  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW
  • Update on Tier 2 certificates of sponsorship allocations for 2012/13

    The UKBA is experiencing large volumes of requests from sponsors who have applied to renew their 2012/13 allocation of certificates of sponsorship.

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to