The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > South East > Property litigation

Jointly led by Peter Levaggi and David Haines, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP's property litigation department combines 'exceptional legal talent with the sheen of a cheerful can-do attitude'. It generates a regular flow of both commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes, and also has experience of property insolvency, leasehold enfranchisement and compulsory purchase order claims. Richard Flenley is a name to note.

Cripps Pemberton Greenish  is active in investment and portfolio asset management work (with a focus on the retail sector), and also advises central government departments on their occupied estates. In addition, its work includes easement and covenant claims, option and overage claims and contentious property-related insolvency matters. Miles Paffard heads up the practice. Nitej Davda, who specialises in construction disputes, is another key figure.

Bryan Johnston heads up Dentons' 'commercially aware' real estate litigation group, which has 'superb technical knowledge'. The 15-strong team regularly acts for global banks, residential developers, insurers, retailers and public sector bodies. In 2018, the firm handled cases at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Senior associate Gemma Hunter-Barnes has experience of acting for clients such as Network Rail and Sports Direct in contentious property matters.

DMH Stallard LLP's property litigation department has extensive expertise in residential and commercial property, with a notably strong track record in professional negligence claims, business ratings cases, social housing and collective enfranchisement. Practice head Emily Wood is on the Property Litigation Associate Law Reform Committee. Tina George, Vanessa Joll and senior associate Kristine Ng are also names to note.

The 'very experienced' real estate dispute resolution team at Stevens & Bolton LLP  'consistently provides excellent advice'. It acts for clients across a wide range of industries, including retail, food and drink, travel and leisure, education and healthcare. The practice has had a notable increase in mandates from developers and real estate investors. Also notable is that, in 2018, the firm advised on a number of complex lease renewal claims. Helen Wheddon heads up the team, which includes Markus Klempa, who has particular expertise in devising vacant possession strategies.

In July 2018, Boyes Turner strengthened its real estate litigation offering by hiring Adrian Griffiths from Gordon Dadds LLP. The department is best known for assisting clients with challenging purchase order decisions, collective enfranchisement work and right-to-manage claims. Elsewhere, the group handles commercial landlord and tenant disputes and dilapidation claims. Associate Russell May works primarily for blue-chip clients and developers.

Blake Morgan LLP has an excellent reputation in commercial asset management, where it handles contentious property issues for clients from the banking, retail and leisure, manufacturing and public sectors. Elsewhere, the firm advises other clients on real property disputes (including overage, easement and covenant disputes) and residential landlord and tenant work. Sean Palka is the practice head. Associate Claire Hitchman has niche expertise in mooring rights.

Brachers's property litigation group is active across landlord and tenant disputes, ownership and rights over land issues and contentious environmental matters. Allis Beasley is sought out in particularly high value and complex cases. Another name to note is James Milis, who advises a wide range of clients including charities, educational institutions and corporates. Michael Oatham leads the team.

Clyde & Co LLP's property litigation department is 'a favourite for household name clients'. The firm advises on the full range of contentious property matters for clients operating in the retail, leisure, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. London-based partner Keith Conway is the practice head. Associate Armel Elaudais in Guildford is the name to note for right to light matters, telecoms issues and specific performance claims.

Freeths LLP's Milton Keynes team has a strategic focus on the licensed leisure sector, and mostly acts for pub owners, brewers, pub operators, nightclubs and hotel owners. Mark Brown undertakes a wide range of real estate disputes and has specialist expertise in challenging Assets of Community Value/ advising on the Pubs Code. In Oxford, the group focuses on contentious agricultural work with landed estates forming much of the client base. Clare Bellis' professional negligence expertise on property matters 'adds an extra dimension to the firm's capabilities'. 

Furley Page Solicitors's client roster includes real estate investors, educational institutions, builders, landowners and farmers. Noted for its 'good all-round landlord and tenant knowledge', the firm handles contentious lease renewal, dilapidation claims and breach of covenant cases. It also represents private landowners in right of way disputes, boundary disputes and land access and residential possession cases. The 'communicative, clear and honest' Jeremy Ferris has recently taken over leadership of the practice.

Moore Blatch LLP's contentious property work is managed by the asset recovery & dispute resolution team. Its client roster includes property developers, landowners and banks and lenders. Sarah Watley heads up the asset recovery litigation and sales teams, which are active in commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters. Mortgage repossessions are another key area of specialisation. Chris Marsden heads the real estate litigation team, while Thomas Middlehurst works on complex boundary disputes.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP's real estate litigation group is 'approachable, clear and always willing to help'; it shows 'persistence in the face of difficult and rare problems'. Team head John Morrison advises on both commercial and residential property disputes, and has a notable specialism in contentious matters involving the education sector. The practice regularly handles lease renewals, terminations and dilapidations cases, and generates work from both private clients and corporate entities.

The property litigation team at Shoosmiths LLP is active in landlord and tenant disputes in both the residential and commercial property spheres. Leasehold enfranchisement is a notable area of strength for the group, which has a specialism in the retail sector. Practice head Zoe Wright has niche expertise in property-related telecommunications laws. Another key figure is senior associate Simon Pestell, who focuses on complex boundary disputes. Senior associate Lucy Barry departed for an in-house role at Canal & River Trust in June 2018.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP provides a dedicated property portfolio management service for a number of major retail clients. It also has strong relationships with clients in the financial services, transport and infrastructure industries. Mark Barley, who heads up the group, undertakes a broad range of matters, from portfolio management for institutional landlords to cases involving foreshore and mooring issues.

David Foster and Simon Fulford jointly lead the property litigation offering at Barlow Robbins LLP, which saw a recent increase in mandates acting for or against developers. The scope of its work in this space included restrictive covenant proceedings, adverse possession claims, rights of light disputes and right of way disputes. Elsewhere, the group has won work from a number of new parish council clients. It also acts for owner-managed businesses, high net worth individuals, charities and private schools.

Dean Wilson LLP's property litigation group, which is led by Claire Whiteman, is experienced in lease extension and enfranchisement claims, and matters concerning rent and service charge arrears. Property-related statutory enforcement (including HMO licensing, noise abatement and Community Assets Listing) is an area of recent growth for the firm. Gabrielle Moffatt demonstrates strong capabilities in development-related disputes and commercial landlord and tenant work.

In a key development at Field Seymour Parkes LLP, in 2018, Paul Dench was hired from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP and took over as practice head from Joe Lott, who left the firm to become a full-time mediator. Having joined the firm as a senior associate, Dench recently made partner. Praised by one client for providing 'first-class service', the group regularly acts for charities, real estate investors, educational institutions, landed estates and property developers. In addition to handling standalone contentious mandates, the team also provides support to the broader real estate group in property transactions.

Thomson Snell & Passmore's property dispute resolution group works closely with the firm's commercial property department, with which it shares a number of repeat clients. The firm generates contentious work from entities in the charity, restaurant, real estate investment, public authority and property development sectors. Commercial landlord and tenant work forms the bulk of the work. The team is jointly led by Nicholas Horton and Mark Steggles.

BDB Pitmans, which undertakes a significant amount of advocacy in-house, is well-known for acting for major real estate developers in complex disputes. In addition, it represents private individuals and companies in landlord and tenant litigation, and it also excels in real estate litigation involving insolvency issues and construction disputes. Practice head Phil Smith is the name to note.

Blandy & Blandy LLP undertakes all types of commercial and residential landlord and tenant cases, including lease extensions and enfranchisement matters. Senior associate Jessica Irwin is experienced in acting for clients at the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) in cases relating to long leasehold flats and houses. High net worth individuals, landed estates, charities, small and medium-sized enterprises and owner-managed businesses are key clients. Philip D’Arcy heads up the dispute resolution group.

Alka Kharbanda leads the real estate litigation department at Blaser Mills Law, which acts for high net worth individuals, property developers, and logistics and healthcare companies. The team works closely with the family practice, as well as the wills, trusts and probate department. Alex Wyatt, who has specialist social housing knowledge, is a key figure.

Dutton Gregory has an excellent record handling all types of contentious issues relating to commercial and residential properties. It fields a property litigation team, which is headed up by senior associate Louise James, and sits within the commercial litigation department. In addition to James, Claire Bunton is another key figure in the group. The firm also operates a separate specialist landlord and tenant department, which is led by Robert Bolwell, whose experience includes dilapidations claims, possession cases and contentious issues associated with large block management portfolios.

Foot Anstey's highly regarded property litigation department generates repeat work from clients in the retail, technology and infrastructure and development sectors, among various others. It has had a recent increase in portfolio management mandates, and also matters relating to residential property development. Kate New, who heads up the practice in Southampton, focuses on commercial landlord and tenant issues. as well as development disputes.

The practitioners in Gardner Leader LLP's property litigation group demonstrate a 'high degree of competence and understanding'. It has recently had a notable increase in mandates from large companies, trusts and town councils. First Tier Tribunal claims and adverse possession claims are other areas of growth. The team also specialises in mortgage repossession work. Alastair Goggins heads up the broader litigation team. Michelle Di Gioia leads on the property litigation front.

Harold Benjamin's property litigation team is 'efficient and responsive to both clients and counsel'. It has a wealth of experience of matters such as landlord and tenant disputes, rent arrears, dilapidation claims, lease renewals, construction disputes and boundary disputes. Jon Mahony is the practice head.  Richard Budd is 'a tenacious and methodical litigator'. Another name to note is Keith Boddy, who has expertise in lease renewals.

Frankie Tierney, who heads up Herrington Carmichael LLP's real estate litigation group, represents clients in particularly complex matters before the High Court, the Technology & Construction Court and the Property Tribunal. Clients include real estate developers, landowners, investors, corporate and commercial entities and private individuals. The firm has a demonstrable record of handling cases of a commercially sensitive nature. Robert Syms is another notable individual in the team.

Pinney Talfourd LLP's 'friendly and approachable team of specialists' is led by Stephen Eccles, who is recommended for contentious commercial lease renewal work. Elsewhere, the group's work includes right-to-manage and enfranchisement cases, boundary disputes, possession cases and advice on residential letting issues. Clients include estate agents, developers and private individuals.

VWV's specialist team 'combines a deep understanding of contentious property issues with keen commercial acumen'. In addition to handling the gamut of general property disputes, it is active in insolvency-related litigation, where it often acts for landlords in matters where tenants have entered into administration. The group also generates work from high street lenders. Developer clients are another key work stream, with the group providing advice on options, development agreements and title/covenant issues. Laura Seaman and Michelle Bendall jointly lead the practice.