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Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s property litigation team, led by Julie Middlemass, is top quality, and attracts impressive clients such as Meadowhall, for which the team acts as sole adviser on real estate litigation matters. The group also handled some high-profile administrations in 2008, including Rosebys and the Officers Club. Impressive new client wins over the year included Town Centre Securities. Philip O’Loughlin left the firm at the end of 2008 and joined the Leeds office of Ward Hadaway.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s eminent property litigation practice is respected in the region, with clients saying the team ‘consistently provides very sound, appropriate and timely advice’. As well as winning a panel appointment for all of the University of Sheffield’s property work, 2008 highlights include advising Ibstock Brick in a dispute against Rotherham MBC. Petra Billing ‘is a very personable individual who has a happy knack of being able to explain the most complicated of legal principles in a very down-to-earth way’.

Clients are impressed with the Hammonds LLP team, and single out department head Patrick Walker for praise. 2008 highlights included acting for Manchester Airport Group on developments at two of its airports. The team continues to attract work from key client Royal Mail, and also boasts a leading position in town and village green disputes.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s property litigation team is ‘outstanding - direct, approachable, responsive, and offers well-judged advice’. The group is recommended for its experience in complex property transaction disputes, and work with a public law dimension. Team leader Matthew Baker is ‘an outstanding all-round performer who is very dedicated and committed to his work’.

Clients are ‘especially impressed’ with the calibre of Walker Morris’ property litigation team, led by Andrew Beck. As well as the team’s longstanding experience in commercial landlord and tenant work, and advising financial institutions on disputed negligence claims, the group has been increasingly active advising on property-related professional negligence matters.

In 2008, Cobbetts LLP’s property litigation practice advised an international development company on access rights for a redevelopment site. The experienced Stephen Green leads the team.

DWF LLP offers ‘good-quality service, good value for money and astute commercial understanding and application’. The team is making an impact in the region, and attracted new clients James Hall and Co Properties, Saint Gobain Building Distribution, and PIL. Highlights included advising Kwik Save Group in disputes arising from the disposal and operation of a large number of stores from Somerfield Stores Group. Practice head Andrew Todd is ‘very commercial and results driven’.

Eversheds LLP enjoys an excellent property client base, which includes Asda Wal-mart, Next and Yorkshire Forward. The team has great experience in CPO litigation and compensation claims. James Batham is a respected practitioner.

2008 was a good year for the Nabarro LLP property litigation team, which is led by Stephen Scott. The group is strong in asset management-related disputes, and great client wins over the past year included Lafarge, Stenham Property and an appointment to the Treasury Solicitor’s major cases litigation panel. Clients appreciate the ‘good advice delivered promptly from a team that is commercially aware and well versed in tactical devices’.

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