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Eversheds LLP’s three-partner team includes the ‘very fair and professional’ Paul Moorcroft, who is the firm’s national head of real estate litigation; newly promoted partner David Feist, who offers ‘practical rather than just theoretical advice’; and Lisa Barge, who is well respected for her work in residential property litigation and in the leisure sector. Able to ‘see the bigger picture’, it counts Next and Anglian Water as clients, and is notable for its experience in agricultural law, energy and wayleaves.

Wragge & Co LLP has a ‘cracking reputation’ under the leadership of Anne Waltham. It had a busy year advising on a broad range of developers’ problems, option disputes and contested lease renewals, and is acting for Persimmon in a case concerning a disputed conditional land sale. Other clients include Argent, Taylor Wimpey, and new gain Smiths News. Director Paul Kent is recommended.

Gateley is advising BT in a very high-value dilapidations claim, and is also dealing with an ongoing matter for a major housebuilder which rescinded a contract to sell part of a development site. New client wins include Opus Land. Iain Davies heads the team, and is ‘always polite and professional’.

At Martineau, practice head Martin Edwards has the ‘happy knack of simplifying complex matters for the layman’. The team continues to receive significant instructions from major education and banking clients, and is retained by a growing number of City pension funds and investors. Mainstream commercial landlord and tenant work comprises a significant part of the team’s workload.

Pinsent Masons LLP acted for Lichfield District Council in defending a claim by an adjoining landowner for substantial damages as a result of the closure of a property at short notice, while other clients include Poundland, Fortnum & Mason, and Tesco Bank. Alicia Foo has carved out a niche in disputes arising out of the Electronic Communications Code.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP has a very large and dedicated housing litigation team, and regularly advises registered social landlords and the Chartered Institute of Housing in possession and injunction matters. It includes the ‘knowledgeable’ Hilary Harrison and Helen Tucker, who is complimented for her ‘excellent ability to communicate with clients at all levels’.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s clients include Alliance Boots, UK Mail, and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. ‘Very practical’ associate Tim Rayner receives many plaudits from clients.

Clarke Willmott LLP represented a large-volume discount supermarket in successfully resisting a tenant’s application to proceed with a second arbitration. The ‘excellent’ Paul Knight heads the practice, whose other clients include Bruton Knowles.

The ‘practical and responsive’ James Coles at George Green LLP is advising in a major trepass/encroachment case, and is also acting for the owner of a substantial private school in a dispute with third parties regarding the development of the site.

Recent highlights for Harrison Clark LLP’s diverse practice include being appointed by leading legal costs indemnity insurers to have exclusive conduct of all claims under the property owners’ insurance policies. Andrew Cave is highly rated.

At Shakespeares, head of department Mark English is well regarded and shows ‘great attention to procedural detail’, and the ‘knowledgeable’ Susan Archer is the other contact partner. Crest Nicholson Developments and Wincanton are clients.

Shoosmiths’ key clients include Jessop Group, Crown Paints and British Waterways. Nick Shepherd moved from Milton Keynes to Birmingham and now heads the team, while Darren Clegg has left the firm.

Squire Sanders Hammonds continues to act for Signet Group and Cancer Research UK. Senior associate Caroline Wort has been advising the trustees of a charitable fund in a substantial dilapidations claim.

The Wilkes Partnership is experienced in property and probate cases, and receives a steady stream of instructions on commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Mark Abrol is recommended.

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