United Kingdom > London > Real estate > Property litigation
Index of tables
Property litigation
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2
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Hogan Lovells International LLP - Mishcon de Reya
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- Addleshaw Goddard LLP
- Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
- Boodle Hatfield LLP
- CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
- Clifford Chance
- Clyde & Co LLP
- Cripps Harries Hall LLP
- DAC Beachcroft LLP
- Dundas & Wilson LLP
- Fladgate LLP
- Howard Kennedy
- Lewis Silkin LLP
- Maples Teesdale LLP
- Mayer Brown International LLP
- Norton Rose LLP
- Osborne Clarke
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Pemberton Greenish -
Reed Smith - Russell-Cooke LLP
- SJ Berwin LLP
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SNR Denton - Simmons & Simmons LLP
- Speechly Bircham LLP
- Stephenson Harwood
- Taylor Wessing LLP
- Thomas Eggar LLP
- Trowers & Hamlins LLP
- Wragge & Co LLP
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Ashfords LLP - Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
- Blake Lapthorn
- Burges Salmon LLP Bristol
- Collyer Bristow LLP
- Davenport Lyons
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Dechert LLP - Finers Stephens Innocent LLP
- Glovers Solicitors LLP
- Jones Day
- Macfarlanes LLP
- Manches LLP
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Payne Hicks Beach - Penningtons Solicitors LLP
- RPC
- RadcliffesLeBrasseur
- Squire Sanders LLP
- Travers Smith LLP
- Wallace LLP
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Winckworth Sherwood
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Leading individuals
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Marcus Barclay -
Olswang - Matthew Bonye - Herbert Smith LLP
- Katie Bradford - Linklaters LLP
- Ian Brierly - DLA Piper UK LLP
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Nicholas Cheffings -
Hogan Lovells International LLP - Roger Cohen - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- David Cox - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Will Densham - Eversheds LLP
- Jane Fox-Edwards - Lawrence Graham LLP
- Michele Freyne - Howard Kennedy
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Kerry Glanville -
Pemberton Greenish - Robert Highmore - Charles Russell LLP
- Jason Juden - SJ Berwin LLP
- Brian Kilcoyne - Lewis Silkin LLP
- Joanna Lampert - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Daniel Levy - Mishcon de Reya
- Graham Ling - Speechly Bircham LLP
- Michael Madden - Winston & Strawn London
- Michael Metliss - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Wendy Miller - Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Natasha Rees - Forsters LLP
- Jennifer Rickard - Nabarro LLP
- Jonathan Ross - Forsters LLP
- Martin Thomas - Dundas & Wilson LLP
- Iain Travers - Nabarro LLP
- Beverley Vara - Allen & Overy LLP
- Andrew Walker - CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
- Anne Waltham - Wragge & Co LLP
- Lesley Webber - Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP
- Stuart Wortley - Pinsent Masons LLP
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Marcus Barclay -
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP’s ‘top-drawer’ group represents institutional developers, major landlords and tenants. Roger Cohen and ‘class act’ Wendy Miller co-lead the group. Miller assisted a Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group joint venture with rights of light issues concerning the development of 20 Fenchurch Street; and also handled pre-emptive injunctions for JP Morgan and Canary Wharf, linked to the Occupy London protests. Joanna Lampert is ‘at the top of her field’ for professional negligence and insolvency issues, and Michael Metliss is a commercial disputes specialist.
Iain Travers oversees Nabarro LLP’s impressive and ‘consistently reliable’ group, which provides ‘value-for-money solutions’ and has longstanding relationships with major developers and landowners in London. The ‘highly talented’ Nick Lloyd is a go-to rights of light adviser. Jennifer Rickard advises developers on vacant possession strategy, and recently acted for Land Securities on the redevelopment of Victoria Circle, SW1, as well as assisting Paternoster Square Management with injunctions related to the Occupy London protests. Great Portland Estates and British Land are key clients.
Hogan Lovells International LLP provides ‘no-nonsense advice’ to administrators and landlords in insolvency disputes, and to banks in professional negligence claims. Prudential and Ernst & Young are key clients. The ‘unflappable’ Mathew Ditchburn acted for Coal Pension Properties Limited in a dilapidation claim against the Conservative Party. Paul Tonkin and the ‘first-rate’ Dellah Gilbert advised developers on rights of light. Nick Cheffings, ‘a master negotiator’ and ‘leading expert’ on rent reviews, became chair of the firm in May 2012.
Mishcon de Reya’s ‘very strong’ group had a buoyant year for trial work, representing prominent entrepreneurs and blue-chip developers in high-level disputes. ‘Solid performer’ and practice head Daniel Levy assisted Capital & Counties Properties plc through a judicial review relating to its Earls Court redevelopment; and also assisted Millennium & Copthorne Hotels in a rights of way dispute at the Court of Appeal. The team recruited Richard Anyamene from Jones Day in January 2012.
Allen & Overy LLP advises commercial developers and others on rights of light issues, and acts in professional negligence claims against valuers. Its residential practice recently advised a US private equity firm on an enfranchisement claim concerning a block of London flats. Beverley Vara heads the group.
Ashurst lost rent review expert Michael Madden to Winston & Strawn London in late 2011, but experienced counsel Mark Race is ‘the right person to lead the team’. It assisted IBM in break option disputes across the UK, and advised Ernst & Young on the administration of Focus DIY. Berkeley Group is also a client.
Charles Russell LLP provides residential property advice to estate owners and not-for-profit entities, and a growing number of commercial clients instruct the team on dilapidation claims and business tenancy renewals. Clients include Ballymore Group. Team head Robert Highmore has ‘in-depth knowledge of his subject area’, and ‘strategic litigator’ Emma Humphreys shows ‘good commercial awareness’.
DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘efficient’ and ‘organised’ team provides a ‘very high-class’ service. It acts for banks including Barclays and UBS, recently advising the latter on possession proceedings against Occupy London protestors. Team head Ian Brierley is ‘a fine litigator’. He represented Humber Oil Terminal Trustees in Court of Appeal proceedings concerning the contested lease renewal of the Immingham oil terminal and jetty.
Eversheds LLP’s ‘very professional’ group acted in several high-profile cases in 2011 and 2012. Will Densham ‘handles the complexities of large-scale litigation brilliantly’, and is highly sought for his rent review expertise. He advised Associated British Ports on the contested repossession of Immingham gas jetty, and assisted the Olympic Park Legacy Company in a judicial review. Senior associate Kate Poole is ‘phenomenally hardworking’.
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP handles dilapidation claims and insolvency disputes affecting property. The ‘excellent’ Antony Phillips advised Macquarie Bank UK on dilapidation issues regarding its London office, and guided City of London Corporation through the renewal of 51 leases at Smithfield Market. The team includes ‘rent review guru’ Lesley Webber. Joe Payne joined Katten Muchin Rosenman UK LLP in June 2012.
A thriving commercial property department underpins Forsters LLP’s ‘sharp’ and ‘tight-knit’ group, which represents landlords, estates, and tenants including Fujitsu. The ‘calm’ and ‘efficient’ Natasha Rees specialises in residential property, and has helped the group become ‘a leading firm’ in the field of leasehold enfranchisement. Jonathan Ross is ‘articulate’ and ‘commercially aware’.
Herbert Smith LLP represents blue-chip developers, insurers and banks in residential and commercial property disputes. Frances Edwards and ‘cool-headed’ practice leader Matthew Bonye ‘articulate the key issues’ and ‘provide thorough analysis’. The group advised a developer in a compulsory purchase order compensation claim, and represented Chevron in a land options dispute at the High Court. Société Générale is a new client.
Lawrence Graham LLP recruited senior associate Clive Chalkley from Slaughter and May in 2011, and added The Crown Estate to its roster of institutional investor clients. Chalkley represented House of Fraser in a Court of Appeal case concerning the validity of guarantees under the Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995. The ‘sharp’ and ‘highly respected’ Jane Fox-Edwards heads the group, and Carole Peet was promoted to partner in 2012.
Linklaters LLP’s small but ‘highly professional’ team provides ‘a first-rate service’ to developers, corporate occupiers and insolvency practitioners. Katie Bradford, an ‘exceptional’ adviser and accomplished litigator, advised Land Securities on rights of light issues relating to three developments in London, and also assisted Farton Holdings in a lease renewal dispute.
Olswang is active in the retail and leisure sectors, and provides ‘timely’ advice to asset managers on administrations. Legal & General Property is a client. Marcus Barclay is ‘excellent’ for rent reviews, and knows ‘exactly what clients need to achieve, commercially’. Cameron Lawes assists landlords with lease renewals and dilapidation claims. Break options specialist Simone Ketchell was promoted to partner in May 2011.
Pinsent Masons LLP advises developers and property managers on rights of light strategy, and handles estate disputes for several leading universities. ‘Diligent’ and ‘attentive’ practice head Stuart Wortley represented The Noble Group in Crossco No 4 Unlimited at the High Court, while the ‘analytical’ Siobhan Cross assisted The Portman Estate with significant vacant possession settlements. Senior associate Melissa Thompson is growing the group’s presence in energy-related property disputes.
Addleshaw Goddard LLP encountered an increase in professional negligence work, and continues to handle contentious asset management and insolvency matters. Andrew Blower oversees the team, which advises Primark on its property litigation.
Simon Painter’s team at Bircham Dyson Bell LLP acted for Island Homes Housing Association in a proprietary estoppel claim before the Court of Appeal. Other areas of strength include business rating appeals and compulsory purchase disputes.
Boodle Hatfield LLP is ‘at the top level’ for complex enfranchisement cases and lease renewals. Practice head Colin Young takes a ‘commercial approach’, and Andrew Hindle is ‘level headed’. The group acted for Eaton Square Properties in possession proceedings against a tenant, and defended it in a subsequent £16.8m counterclaim.
CMS Cameron McKenna LLP’s ‘extremely efficient’ group represents investors, large retailers and public sector entities. Andrew Walker leads an ‘excellent team’, which counts The Wellcome Trust among its clients. Newly promoted partner Danielle Drummond-Brassington ‘spots all the key points’.
The ‘technically excellent’ team at Clifford Chance provides ‘sound strategic advice’ in insolvency-driven cases. Bryan Johnston and Kirstin Black acted for Woodford Land in a dispute with Persimmon Homes concerning an option agreement. Ben Hatton and Jane O’Leary make ‘a formidable team’, and are ‘very impressive’ in mediation.
Clyde & Co LLP’s property practice, post merger, has strengths in insurance-led and pure property disputes. Tim Foley advised Libya’s government in a £4.5m dispute concerning the sale of a property in Chelsea. Neil Jamieson shows an ‘excellent ability to pick up the salient facts’.
Cripps Harries Hall LLP’s ‘proactive’ group continues to provide fixed-fee advice to London landlords and shopping centre owners. ‘Well-connected’ team head Carol Wakeford acts for Crossrail and British Land.
DAC Beachcroft LLP is in a stronger position, after its merger, to handle big-ticket real estate disputes. Andrew Chesser is a specialist in the area. Practice head Caroline Howard represented Richard Caring (Caprice Holdings) in a judicial review against Westminster City Council. Thekla Fellas is ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘commercial’, and Guy Knight gets ‘straight to the point’.
Dundas & Wilson LLP provides ‘sound advice’ to developers, financial institutions, and utility companies including National Grid. Practice head Martin Thomas is ‘proactive in seeking solutions’, and recently advised Scottish Widows in a complex £2.5m claim concerning a defective lease structure.
Fladgate LLP provides ‘clear’ and ‘pragmatic’ advice, and acts for clients including Odeon Cinemas. Janet Keeley and Alison Mould are noted for their advice on matters ranging from vacant possession to easements.
Howard Kennedy advises developers, retailers and wealthy individuals. It handled several reported cases, including one at the High Court where it represented a landlord in a development dispute. Michele Freyne handles rent reviews and complex retail lease disputes. HMV UK is a new client.
Dilapidations specialist Brian Kilcoyne is the driving force behind Lewis Silkin LLP’s team, which advised several corporates on the redevelopment of their respective London headquarters, and continued to guide Pizza Express through contentious issues arising from its property portfolio.
Maples Teesdale LLP is a ‘highly reputable’ property firm, whose ‘relatively modest scale does not swamp its clients’. It successfully defended Friends Provident Life and Pensions in an enfranchisement dispute at the High Court. The ‘meticulous’ David Stevens provides ‘purposeful advice’ in conducting cases.
Mayer Brown International LLP’s ‘diligent’ and ‘professional’ group advises parties in break option disputes, and provides rights of light advice to developers. ‘Commercially sound’ team leader Simon Hartley is ‘tenacious’ and ‘committed’.
Norton Rose LLP’s team has grown in profile since recruiting ‘rising star’ Charlotte Bijlani, whose ‘probing intellect’ and ‘soothing manner’ make her ‘an outstanding operator’. It has recently acted in several significant rent disputes.
Osborne Clarke has experience including vacant possessions and rights of light disputes linked with developments in London. Gary Lawrenson has ‘very good knowledge of the field’ and is ‘extremely thorough’, and Leona Briggs is also recommended. UNITE Group plc is a client.
Pemberton Greenish has an excellent reputation for enfranchisement work. Venerated practice head Kerry Glanville acted for the Cadogan Estate in the Aggio and Sportelli appeals at the House of Lords.
Reed Smith’s ‘professional’ practice acts in complex property disputes for property managers and investors. Team head Andrew Jenkinson acted in a High Court case regarding a planned residential development in Chester. ‘Knowledgeable’ counsel Katherine Campbell gives clients ‘confidence from day one’.
The ‘highly rated’ Jason Hunter leads Russell-Cooke LLP’s team, which is notable for its experience in the retail and residential property sectors. Clients include Grainger plc and Matalan.
SJ Berwin LLP acts for asset managers, and is ‘user friendly’. Practice head Jason Juden is ‘charming’ and ‘calm under fire’, and recently assisted British Land in obtaining a pre-emptive injunction in relation to the Broadgate Estate to deter Occupy London. Senior associate Natalie Johnston is ‘a skilled litigator’.
SNR Denton’s ‘dynamic’ practice couples ‘creativity’ with ‘a professional approach’. It represents administrators and retailers in insolvency disputes and portfolio management matters. Team head Julian Cridge is noted for his ‘strong intellectual skills’ and ‘strategic thinking’. Andrew Myers joined Stephenson Harwood.
Simmons & Simmons LLP’s ‘succinct’ and ‘commercial’ group advises landlords on break options, and commercial occupiers on portfolio restructuring, and has seen an increase in insolvency-driven instructions. Carol Hewson heads the practice, which was recently appointed to Virgin Media’s panel.
Speechly Bircham LLP’s ‘prompt’ team represents occupiers and landowners in complex disputes, often at the higher courts. The ‘thorough’ Jeremy Hudson represented Howard de Walden Estates in a collective enfranchisement claim at the Supreme Court. Graham Ling has ‘a reassuring manner that instils great confidence in his clients’, and the ‘ambitious’ James Souter is also recommended.
Stephenson Harwood’s two-partner team advises institutional landlords and occupiers in service charge disputes and high-value rent reviews. Dilapidations specialist Sean Fitzgerald handles ratings appeals, and is increasingly active in insolvency-related mandates.
Saleem Fazal heads Taylor Wessing LLP’s practice, which is noted for its ‘commercial approach’, and provides ‘succinct advice’ to landlords, purchasers and insolvency practitioners. Jill Carey is ‘very on the ball’, and Joe Copping is also recommended.
Thomas Eggar LLP’s ‘impressive’ team acted in several reported cases, including Rees v Peters. The team includes commercial disputes specialist Richard Brown, who has ‘an excellent work ethic’; Jacqui Joyce, who specialises in dilapidations; and Ross Berridge, who joined from CMS Cameron McKenna LLP in July 2011.
Michael Donnellan heads the team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, which represents institutional investors including AXA and Hermes. Nicholas Levy handles property management cases, and Paul Marco handles a mixture of commercial and public sector litigation.
Wragge & Co LLP saw a rise in rent review mandates from clients including Royal London and Persimmon, and recently advised represented a blue-chip retailer in a break option dispute concerning its UK headquarters. ‘Respected’ team head Anne Waltham is supported by a robust team in Birmingham.
Rent review specialist Paul Dunbar heads the team at Ashfords LLP, which merged with Rochman Landau in February 2012. Alan Langleben handles property-related professional negligence cases. Clients include Dunbar Bank plc and Wayseal Property Investments.
Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP’s ‘excellent’ practice represents various charities, including YMCA and ActionAid, in property disputes. Practice head Lesley Robinson is ‘professional’ and ‘courteous’, and the ‘hardworking’ William Scott is also recommended.
Blake Lapthorn provides a ‘a professional level of service’ on lease renewals, and specialises in advising retailers and charities (including Oxfam). Team head Mark Brassey is ‘exceptionally good’, and ‘technically very able’.
Burges Salmon LLP’s Richard Bedford advises The Crown Estate and First Group, and has seen an increase in instructions from LPA receivers. Vivienne Williams joined Wilsons in November 2011.
‘Class performer’ Collyer Bristow LLP lost a valuable adviser when Matthew Marsh became Master of the High Court Chancery Division in 2012. Michael Grace acts for Crest Nicholson plc.
Davenport Lyons acts in a range of commercial and residential disputes for purchasers, landlords and tenants. Janice Northover recently advised a landlord in a service charge dispute at the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. Janet Ayres heads the group.
‘Very experienced’ property litigator Jeremy Grose leads Dechert LLP’s team. It specialises in commercial property cases, ranging from rent reviews to landlord and tenant disputes.
Amanda McNeil heads Finers Stephens Innocent LLP’s practice, which focuses on commercial disputes in the retail and leisure sector. Dilapidation claims is an area of specialism.
Glovers Solicitors LLP’s ‘extremely competent’ team saw an increased flow of insolvency-driven Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 disputes. Kenny Friday and team head Edward Vaughan have ‘excellent’ client liaison skills.
Commercial litigator Craig Shuttleworth now heads Jones Day’s group, following Richard Anyamene’s move to Mishcon de Reya in October 2011.
Macfarlanes LLP’s team advises institutional investors, wealthy individuals and public companies on the full ambit of property disputes. Willie Manners heads the practice, which ‘stands out from the pack’ in terms of service levels and counts Friends Life among its clients.
Manches LLP advises landlords in the retail sector, and Richard Marshall and team head Siobhan Jones are receiving an increasing number of instructions from wealthy individuals. Sellar Property Group and Assura Healthcare are new clients.
Payne Hicks Beach has ‘sound sector knowledge’ and gives ‘in-depth advice’ to high-net-worth individuals, and corporates including Saga Group. Residential enfranchisement claims and commercial landlord and tenant disputes are areas of strength for the ‘approachable’ Andrew Tugwell.
Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s ‘very committed’ team assists institutional landlords in disputes with commercial tenants. Donald Lambert demonstrates ‘strong commercial acumen’, and David Masters is ‘thorough’. Aviva is a key client.
RPC provides ‘truly excellent’ advice to developers in relation to residential-led, mixed-use schemes. Senior associate Chhavie Kapoor is ‘always on top of the legal issues’, and Tim Fogarty is ‘astute’.
RadcliffesLeBrasseur handles volume instructions from landlords and property managers, and has a good reputation for enfranchisement cases. Stephanie Thomas and practice head Andrew Parsons are the names to note.
Squire Sanders LLP represents commercial landlords in dilapidation claims. ‘Highly skilled’ litigator William Lawrence applies ‘abundant common sense’ and ‘rigorous forensic intellect’ to complex cases.
Travers Smith LLP represented Pinewood and Shepperton plc in a public inquiry regarding a town and village green application. Senior associate Andrew Ross is the key contact.
Wallace LLP specialises in leasehold enfranchisement. Simon Serota recently defended Jafton in a claim concerning forfeiture of a £2.5m property deposit. Samantha Bone is also recommended.
Emma Chadwick leads Winckworth Sherwood’s team. It advised a key party in the Occupy London protests, and assists Everything Everywhere with various property disputes.