The Legal 500

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP saw asset recovery work for lenders take off, as well as advice to landlords on tenant insolvencies. The ‘sensible and pragmatic’ Wendy Miller and Joanna Lampert acted for Legal & General in litigation concerning its £240m sale of Walbrook Square. ‘Outstanding negotiator’ Roger Cohen is recommended for rent reviews and restrictive covenant disputes, and David Cox ‘provides sound commercial advice’.

Nabarro LLP noted an increase in development agreement disputes, retail sector insolvencies, and dilapidation disputes. Recent highlights include successfully defending proceedings seeking specific performance of a £2m agreement. Iain Travers, Jennifer Rickard and Keith Conway are recommended.

Charles Russell LLP acts for British Land and Credit Suisse Property Investment Management. Recent activity includes a collective enfranchisement dispute. The ‘charming’ Robert Highmore, Louise Clark and Emma Humphreys are recommended.

Since the downturn, Clifford Chance has been involved in the restructuring of various mispriced transactions, as well as major insolvencies, including MFI’s insolvency for LxB. Highlights include continued representation on the Buncefield oil terminal explosion case, one of the largest cases in the Commercial Court in 2008. John Pickston’s team ‘provides an excellent service, and its strategic advice is practical and sound’.

Herbert Smith LLP focuses on high-profile and complex disputes. The team advised Friends Provident in successful High Court proceedings concerning an enfranchisement claim involving 1,200 flats. Matthew Bonye is recommended; Charlotte Bijlani is a ‘superb litigator’; and Frances Edwards’ ‘commitment is beyond question’.

The ‘commercially minded’ team at LG welcomed Carole Peet from Eversheds. The team has a particularly strong investor landlord practice, and a pre-eminent reputation for asset management. Jane Fox-Edwards is recommended.

Linklaters LLP recently carried out cutting-edge work for PwC/Lehman and Deloitte/Woolworths. The group also acted for BP in damages claims arising from the Buncefield oil storage facility explosion. Will Densham left for Eversheds LLP, but Katie Bradford remains the key contact.

‘Highly professional and rigorous’, Lovells LLP has strengthened its insolvency capabilities and recently advised on increasing numbers of rent reviews. New client The Crown Estate was advised in connection with the proposed redevelopment of a strategic central London site. Nicholas Cheffings and Mathew Ditchburn are recommended.

SJ Berwin LLP witnessed increased amounts of insolvency-related work and dilapidations claims. It acted for The Crown Estate in obtaining vacant possession for the redevelopment of a Regent Street block. Michael Metliss and Jason Juden are recommended.

Wragge & Co LLP saw key growth area in retail-related insolvencies and parties seeking to enforce or renegotiate agreements. Global Switch was assisted with the forfeiture applications of Lehman Brothers’ leases of key data centre premises. Anne Waltham and associate Alison Rivers are recommended.

Allen & Overy LLP’s ‘top-class’ Beverley Vara advises Schroders Property Unit Trust on portfolio management matters. The team has also been representing sellers against purchasers seeking to avoid their contractual obligations, and worked on large dilapidation claims by landlords.

Ashurst LLP’s Michael Madden and Jessica Neuberger are highly recommended for complex property disputes.

CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has recently acted in relation to insolvent tenants and contested rent reviews. It represented the administrators of a national card retailer occupying over 200 UK stores. Caroline DeLaney and Andrew Walker are recommended.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s London team benefits from the support of a powerful national practice. The group, headed by the ‘sensible’ Ian Brierley, acted for Yeoman’s Row, in its successful appeal to the House of Lords, a highly significant case on commercial property contracts and estoppel.

Andrew Myers joined Denton Wilde Sapte LLP when the firm acquired Howes Percival LLP’s Milton Keynes office. The team is sole adviser to Northern Rail as well as to the retail element of the Westfield Stratford City development comprising 300 retail and leisure units and forming part of the Olympic site. Following the team’s success in the subterranean trespass Bocardo SA claim, the firm has received further instructions for the Harrods Group. Julian Cridge is recommended.

Eversheds LLP recently welcomed Will Densham from Linklaters LLP, while Carole Peet left for LG. The team acted on enforcing numerous contracts for the sale of land, and landed a role on Crossrail’s panel. Richard Hanson is recommended.

Forsters LLP’s ‘diligent and user-friendly’ practice acted on major commercial property disputes such as Plantation Place and the House of Lords Les Aggio and Sportelli cases. Jonathan Ross’s ‘commitment and straightforward approach’ is praised. Natasha Rees covers the residential enfranchisement side, and clients ‘could not be happier with the advice given’.

Mishcon de Reya acts for a number of institutional landlords and has a strong entrepreneurial client base. It advised on a £10m-plus dilapidations claim concerning South Bank office buildings. Daniel Levy is recommended.

Olswang’s recent instructions include an £18m damages claim against the owners and operators of the Buncefield Oil Depot. Marcus Barclay ‘does a good job on rent reviews’, and Cameron Lawes led a team acting in a lease renewal concerning a city-centre Tesco store.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s clients include The Portman Estate and Cushman & Wakefield. The ‘dedicated and focused’ team acted for Sunberry Properties in respect of reported injunction proceedings against a tenant company in administration. Stuart Wortley and the ‘experienced and commercial’ Siobhan Cross are recommended.

Speechly Bircham LLP manages RBS’ property portfolio in the Midlands and the South East. Graham Ling ‘sets high standards that other fee-earners follow’, and Jeremy Hudson acted for Howard de Walden Estates in the House of Lords on a landmark enfranchisement case.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP recently advised on various default situations, and saw an increase in relation to contested alienation and break right issues. Highlights included acting on the leading case on property agents’ commission where the agent is instructed by the buyer. Andrew Blower is recommended.

Beachcroft LLP’s London head is Andrew Chesser. The team experienced increased dilapidations disputes and contested rent reviews, and was involved in the Ritz Hotel litigation.

Bircham Dyson Bell LLP recently enjoyed two high-profile leasehold enfranchisement victories in the House of Lords. Andy Couch and Simon Painter are recommended.

Boodle Hatfield continues to act for Grosvenor on disputes relating to its estates in Belgravia and Mayfair. The team also acted on a series of cases on the Leasehold Reform Act 1967, including a leading case in the House of Lords. Colin Young ‘takes a commercial approach to problems’.

Collyer Bristow LLP undertakes a good deal of professional negligence work and Lands Tribunal matters, and recently acted for Crest Nicholson on a shopping centre development dispute. Matthew Marsh is recommended.

Cripps Harries Hall LLP’s ‘efficient and dedicated’ team was recently invited onto Crossrail’s panel. Mike Scott is recommended for real property and landlord and tenant disputes, and ex-Nabarro LLP partner Carol Wakeford has been involved with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL).

Davies Arnold Cooper LLP’s ‘knowledge of landlord and tenant law is exceptional’. ‘Technically strong’ practice head Ken Smith is recommended for retail sector disputes, and local authority related litigation. The firm advised on issues concerning the proposed 60-storey Pinnacle Tower, and also on the King’s Cross redevelopment. The ‘calm yet prompt’ Thekla Fellas has joined from Winckworth Sherwood, and Caroline Howard - a ‘joy to work with’ - is noted for her telecoms expertise.

Dechert LLP’s Jeremy Grose is recommended for complex property disputes. The team acted for The Crown Estate in relation to a £3.5m dilapidations claim.

Dundas & Wilson LLP’s Martin Thomas (ex-Herbert Smith LLP) is highly recommended. The team recently acted for Land Securities on vacant possession issues.

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP welcomed rent review specialist Lesley Webber from Reed Smith. The practice advised on the reversal of the sale of a football ground and the buyout of a related overage agreement. Injunction expert Antony Phillips is ‘great for difficult points of law’.

Fladgate LLP receives repeat instructions from existing clients such as Random House, Starbucks and Odeon Cinemas. It advised a national housebuilder in connection with a corporate purchaser’s failure to complete its acquisition of multiple properties. Alison Mould is ‘efficient, with work turnaround times better than experienced elsewhere’, and the ‘excellent’ Janet Keeley is also recommended.

Halliwells’ ‘proactive and commercial’ Paul Marco is recommended. The team acts for Segro on property disputes.

Howard Kennedy recently welcomed Michele Freyne from Mayer Brown International LLP. The team successfully defended a claim by the Catholic Church for the setting aside of a property purchase. Clients appreciate its ‘excellent breadth of knowledge and value for money’.

Jones Day was joined by Richard Anyamene from LG. The practice saw increasing amounts of retail insolvencies, rent review arbitrations and dilapidations claims.

Recent standout cases at the ‘efficient and commercially astute’ Lewis Silkin LLP include acting for Borax on the disputed exercise of a break clause. Brian Kilcoyne ‘really grasps the legal concepts in property work’, while the ‘pragmatic and genial’ Paul Hayes focuses on housing work and protester action cases.

Macfarlanes LLP’s instructions span the commercial, residential and agricultural sectors. It acted for Chelsea Harbour in relation to restrictive covenant issues. Willie Manners is recommended.

Maples Teesdale sits on Lloyds TSB Bank’s Group Property Management panel for property litigation. Led by the ‘personable and commercial’ David Stevens, the team acted on a high-value dispute concerning the largest motorway service area in the country. ‘Work is handled professionally and firmly’.

Norton Rose LLP’s extended client base includes Royal London Mutual Insurance Society and HM Treasury. The practice acted for Nestlé on a dispute concerning unlawful withholding of consent to assign a lease. John de St Croix is recommended.

Osborne Clarke has enjoyed significant instructions from Vodafone. The team secured vacant possession of St Albans Station to facilitate its substantial redevelopment works. Leona Briggs is recommended.

Reed Smith’s Lesley Webber departed for Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP but Katherine Campbell has moved from Birmingham to London. The practice acts as sole adviser for the Land Securities Trillium Royal Mail portfolio on review disputes, dilapidation cases, and specific performance claims. Andrew Jenkinson is recommended.

Russell-Cooke LLP handles a range of commercial, residential and private client work. The practice successfully acted for a charity on the recovery of possession of a community centre. Jason Hunter is recommended.

Simmons & Simmons acts for Bank of America among others, and has seen an upsurge of instructions from Network Rail in relation to station redevelopments.

Stephenson Harwood advised on a spate of retail insolvencies, including Zavvi’s. Sean Fitzgerald and Ken Duncan are recommended.

Taylor Wessing LLP’s ‘emphasis on providing practical and timely advice’ is praised. Following a restaurant chain’s insolvency, the practice obtained possession of the premises from the administrators. Saleem Fazal and John Whitfield are recommended.

Thomas Eggar LLP has built on Jacqui Joyce’s arrival in 2008 from Lovells LLP. Richard Brown led the team advising AXA on a six-figure service charge dispute.

Travers Smith LLP recently handled development problems relating to restrictive covenants, and specific performance of sale and purchase agreements. The practice represented London Underground in a right to light claim concerning Hammersmith Station. Group head Andrew King, and the ‘approachable and responsive’ Andrew Ross are recommended.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP focuses on landlord and tenant matters, and property-related professional negligence claims. The team acted for Fladgate in litigation concerning a major commercial development on Oxford Street. Neil Jamieson is recommended.

Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP provides ‘applicable and appropriate advice’ for big and small charities, RSLs and trade unions as well as commercial organisations and private individuals. Lesley Robinson is recommended.

Davenport Lyons’ recently acted on a right to light dispute relating to a large residential development in Victoria. Janet Ayres is the key contact, while the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Janice Northover ‘conducts business in a professional and practical manner’.

At niche firm Dewar Hogan, ex-Nabarro LLP lawyers Ron Hogan and John Cox are recommended.

The ‘commercially minded’ team at Finers Stephens Innocent LLP includes Amanda McNeil, who is ‘thorough, easy to work with, and clear in her advice’. The team advised the tenant of large restaurant premises in Sloane Square in relation to its opposed application for a new tenancy.

Glovers Solicitors LLP provides property litigation advice to residential estate agents Winkworth. Edward Vaughan is ‘an excellent litigation adviser supported by a good team’.

Manches LLP counts Pizza Hut and WH Smith as clients. The team advised Barratt Homes Eastern Counties in a claim for declaratory relief that Barratt could terminate an option on a £10m development.

Mayer Brown International LLP’s Andrew Legg acted for Persimmon in a reported case concerning the construction of a covenant. Michele Freyne departed for Howard Kennedy.

Memery Crystal LLP acts for leading retailers such as ASDA Wal-Mart, and major landlords such as The Freshwater Group of Companies and The Mall Corporation. It recently acted for Holland & Barrett and the Bincho restaurant chain in property disputes. ‘They understand our business needs and are quick to respond to our requirements’. Andrew Darwin ‘shows good leadership’.

Senior associate Donna Goldsworthy at Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker (Europe) LLP is recommended. The team acted for a large supplier of private healthcare services in a dispute culminating in possession proceedings against an insolvent tenant.

Pemberton Greenish is noted for ‘fantastic’ residential enfranchisement work. Recent highlights include acting for the Cadogan Estate in two appeals to the House of Lords. Ian Gill ‘provides a first-rate, cost-effective service’. Damian Greenish and team head Kerry Glanville are also recommended.

Sprecher Grier Halberstam LLP focuses on property disputes concerning public houses and brewers. Enterprise Inns and Scottish & Newcastle are clients.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP’s Michael Donnellan is recommended for public sector disputes and Nicholas Levy for private sector litigation. Recent activity includes a hostile lease renewal dispute.

Wallace LLP boasts a dedicated leasehold enfranchisement department. The team acted for US private equity group Westbrook Partners in its claim to acquire the freehold of Dolphin Square, the largest-ever collective enfranchisement claim.

Withers LLP acts for a number of high-profile charities in relation to recovering possession of property from tenants, and dealing with business tenancy renewals. It has a strong private client base and the ‘calm, pragmatic and reassuring’ Susan Satchell ‘quickly grasps the main points in dispute’.