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

‘David Haines is unusual in that he started life as a surveyor. This gives him an appreciation and understanding of properties which is not normally the case with solicitors. He is dynamic, extremely helpful and has a very sharp intellect.’

‘Very experienced and highly competent team working for national clients.‘

‘David Payton is a very good litigator. Thomas Nolan is an excellent associate with a good eye for detail.‘

‘The breadth and depth of skills is impressive – basically, Dentons can deal with any dispute where there happens to be a property involved, no matter what the complexity or size.‘

‘Bryan Johnston is head of the real estate litigation team. He is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced and is relentlessly focused on the client’s objectives. Thomas Nolan is experienced beyond his years. He is particularly strong on advising developers and landlord on tenants’ rights of first refusal at complex mixed-use developments.‘

‘Their attention to detail and forward thinking gives a real sense of comfort to us as a client. They are without doubt a credit to their organisation and we as a client are very grateful for their knowledge, insight and experience.‘

‘The Stevens and Bolton team dealt with a rather tricky tenant in a professional and proactive way. It required a lot of chasing on their part, however we were very pleased to avoid this having to go to a tribunal and we were more than happy with the outcome too. They also kept us well informed of progress throughout.‘

‘A very well balanced team who is able to give clear and precise advice across a number of property litigation areas. A trusted and very knowledgeable team.‘

‘Markus Klempa – A very easy personal manner delivering sound advice across a wide range of property issues. Helen Wheddon – Able to give pragmatic commercial advice which is essential in coming to the correct business decision.‘

‘Helen Wheddon and Naomi Campbell have given an exceptionally high level of service and client care. We have had a number of very complex issues on a a number of sites and nothing seems to phase them. They always provide a calm and measured response to all matters and we have a lot of trust in them and indeed belief that they will serve us well no matter what the issue.‘

‘Extremely responsive, very invested in providing additional support through their value-added offering. Advice is always focused and gives pragmatic options to address the issue at hand.‘

‘Zoe Wright is a “go to” adviser for our organisation. She takes great care to understand our particular organisational nuances and needs.‘

‘The main thing that makes Blake Morgan unique is the outstanding standard of every person across all of the specialities. The advice is always excellent and clear everyone is always extremely efficient and friendly.‘

‘The team is exceptional, led by Keith Conway. They are both commercially astute and have a fantastic client list. They have a great relationship with their clients and provide premium service.‘

‘Clare Bellis works hard to get to the heart of a case; willing to go the extra mile when a case needs it; sensible approach with lots of experience across a broad range; completely reliable, and very easy to work with.‘

‘Freeths have a wonderful understanding of the issues I was facing in a depth far greater than any others I came across.‘

‘The whole team are extremely personable which is a wonderful fit with their knowledge.‘

‘Very efficient and professional. My trust and confidence in them was fully justified.‘

‘Sarah Woolnough provided an excellent service.‘

‘Great deal of firm wide expertise that make the process of dealing with a difficult tenant relatively painless and efficient.‘

‘Always able to provide solutions to potentially complicated problems and very prompt with advice, with valid well thought out alternatives.‘

‘Highly effective at hard fought contentious planning disputes.‘

‘George Crofton-Martin – a fantastic litigator, combining brilliant client management skills with a never-say-die attitude to the most difficult contentious work – totally committed to achieving the best outcome for his clients.‘

‘My experience of Furley Page that it is a traditional firm that has not been afraid to move with the times. The offices are an interconnected warren of buildings in the heart of Canterbury, and it feels like they have served the community from there for generations. I get the impression that their clients tend to be of long standing, and the levels of trust reposed are correspondingly high. In terms of strengths, they are a solid and dependable firm, large enough to deal with most issues, and not afraid to use counsel where the expertise is required.‘

‘Moore Barlow punch well above their weight in terms of real estate litigation, dealing with complex disputes on behalf of large nationally and internationally recognisable clients. They are able to compete favourably with much bigger firms including City firms. The team take a commercial approach, recognising the value in early strategic advice in achieving their clients’ goals.‘

‘Chris Marsden, who trained and practised in the City, is able to bring all the experience and technical ability necessary for the full range of real estate litigation. Clients really like him; they particularly value his strategic thinking and commercial approach. Simon Beetham, while still relatively junior, is one to watch for the future. He has a quiet confidence about him and is technically brilliant.‘

‘A strong presence in the South. High quality team with excellent high net worth client base.‘

‘Tom Middlehurst: a good solid litigation partner. Works hard at early case analysis, carrying out thorough investigations and taking appropriate advice from counsel to identify clear and realistic objectives for the client, which he then pursues ruthlessly.‘

‘Chris Marsden is a stand out partner in the region. His leadership of the property litigation team has taken its reputation to a new level. Clients find Chris commercially savvy and look to him as a trusted adviser. His combination of specialist knowledge and ability to find effective solutions to problems makes him a go-to lawyer.‘

‘Sarah Watley has a pragmatic approach and always looks to provide a range of solutions to ensure that all options are consider to achieve a suitable solution.‘

‘Commercial property team best in class.‘

‘Very personable, understand client needs and give very commercial advice.‘

‘John Morrison is exceptionally clear thinking and astute. He provides very efficient and timely responses, having analysed quickly and effectively. He distils complex issues into more easily understood concepts. He instils confidence into what can be a worrying area of law. Outstanding!‘

‘John Morrison shows genuine empathy and focus on the objective. Always conscious of costs.‘

‘Amy Evans gave clear concise advice on the eviction of a residential tenant with long-running debt issues. She deftly guided us through the process and successfully obtained vacant possession of the property.‘

‘John is calm, thoughtful and willing to spend time talking through the issues, not purely from a legal perspective. He is well connected and was able to recommend an excellent barrister and surveyor.’

‘This team has a great knowledge of our property portfolio and supports us with great litigation advice and the team are also well informed about the work going on throughout our portfolio.‘

‘The team at Shoosmiths are always very calm, professional and helpful in responding to our requests for advice. They are always exceptionally good at responding by phone or email.‘

‘Richard Willcox is the Senior Associate that we deal with most and he has a calm but thorough manner when analysing the problems and guiding us through the options and alternatives. One of the tests is that we very rarely actually have to resort to litigation within the Court as Richard’s input usually allows a pragmatic but satisfactory solution to be achieved.‘

‘A first class team. You know you are in safe hands.‘

‘A pleasure to work with. They understand client needs and expectations.‘

‘We have worked with Mark Barley on several occasions and he gives good commercial advice.‘

‘Good local strength and technical know how.‘

‘Gabrielle Moffatt is very knowledgeable – very pleasant – very efficient and dedicated.‘

‘Claire Whiteman acted on our behalf throughout the process. At all points of the process she gave clear advice.  She always replied to email promptly. Although the matter became a rather marathon process Claire kept us fully informed and  motivated throughout.‘

‘Excellent communication throughout any dealings and 100% professionalism and efficiency.‘

‘An excellent knowledge of the intricacies of the leasehold legislation, which has been invaluable to us. We need to act fairly, and to save money in doing so.‘

‘The Property Litigation team at Dean Wilson LLP provide a comprehensive, professional and honest service. I have used many firms throughout my property career and the fact I am still using Dean Wilson LLP is a testament to their fantastic work.‘

‘Clare Whiteman and Gabrielle Moffatt are both extremely knowledgeable, reliable and approachable.‘

‘FSP offer a better service than London firms by marrying experience and specialism with a personal touch. Impressive attention to detail and my first recommendation for all types of property litigation. Extremely good value for money by comparison to competitors’

‘Paul Dench is a pleasure to work with, understands the clients needs and uses deep understanding of substantive law and procedure to help acheive the objectives.’

‘Having a client relationship manager who is also a specialist and has taken the time to understand our needs as a client. This person is able to respond to our queries and expedite matters efficiently and effectively. Specialists within the FSP team are then passed over to us to deliver on our instructions.’

‘We fielded three practices in the local area before settling on FSP as our preferred advisors. FPS was the only practice who spent the time engaging with us to understand our needs.’

‘Aside from their clear demonstrable capabilities, they are a dynamic and charismatic team who are all strong communicators and are fun to work with. They are always on hand to help us, no matter how big or small the instruction.’

‘Field Seymour Parkes’ real estate litigation practice is second to none. When I am asked to recommend a firm of solicitors in the Reading area by my own friends and family, that is where I send them.’

‘They are much loved by their clients and correspondingly always have great work. They are equally adept at dealing with rural matters as they are with commercial matters.’

‘As a department, they are deep thinkers; keen to win at trial, but anxious to get a good settlement so their clients don’t have to take their chances at trial. They are masters of cost effective litigation in an era when that quality is rarely seen. They are also thoroughly amiable – a joy to work with from the barrister’s point of view.’

‘Gardner Leader is a strong and growing regional firm with several property litigation specialists amongst its number. The solicitors there are friendly, well-informed and efficient.‘

‘I have worked frequently with Alastair Goggins, Michelle di Gioia and Andrew Shipp in Gardner Leader’s property disputes team. All of them are first-rate, good lawyers and commercially savvy and a pleasure to work with.‘

‘Well organised, well-led and cohesive team – very approachable and responsive – key capability for us is that the team are able to find viable practical solutions to our landlord and tenant issues. They are mindful of the fact that  the relationship with our landlords is often long-term  and needs to be preserved, whilst preserving our rights and entitlements.‘

‘David Williams is a very thorough and knowledgeable lawyer. We have been impressed by how tactically astute his advice has proved to be in several recent landlord and tenant matters.‘

‘A key factor in the strength and success of Blaser Mills is the excellent leadership of the business. I have had the pleasure of meeting and placing business with most of the senior partners and rate them all very highly. Their commitment to their clients and staff is of the highest possible standard.‘

‘An excellent regional firm expanding in all sectors and upwardly mobile. Well run and user friendly.‘

‘Jon Lilley – a very experienced litigator justifiably well loved by his loyal client base. Alka Kharbanda – one of the toughest litigators you will come up against. clear and sensible in her advice. Jade Brooks – a hardworking and up and coming associate.‘

‘A partner led team where clients get a great deal of individual attention from the partner involved.‘

‘Sangita Manek is excellent. She is driven and always puts her client’s interests first. She will ferociously fight their corner, but is also pragmatic enough to tell them when it is not in their interests to pursue something.‘

‘My “go to” firm for all matters litigious.‘

‘Incredibly diligent team, managing a multi-expert expedited litigation in a calm and proactive manner.’

‘The team gave City quality delivery on virgin litigation, managing tight deadlines and client expectations.’

‘The team were impressive, knowledgeable and very supportive of clients and experts.’

‘Kate New was calm under pressure, expert in her field and demonstrated her capabilities by managing the clients through a faced paced case, that navigated very technical areas of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, and leading them to a successful outcome.’

‘My experience as Counsel instructed by Foot Anstey has been of its property litigation team. In my view, this practice stands out as competing on a par with national or London-based firms, in terms of the quality of its service product, but at a substantial fraction of the cost charged by London-based competitors.’

‘Kate New is excellent understanding of client objectives and commercial importance of issues; approachable and engaging to work with.’

‘Prompt, precise and to the point in all dealings. Polite and approachable in face-to-face meetings.’

‘Frankie Tierney led the way throughout the process in a calm and professional manner. Her advice was clear and accurate and led to a satisfactory conclusion. Final settlement was in the ball-park of what Frankie had predicted at the start so there were no surprises.’

‘Provide easy to understand free initial advice to clients to enable them to fully appreciate their options depending on the circumstances of their case, so that they can then decide whether or not litigation is appropriate for them.’

‘Frankie Tierney, head of dispute resolution, has always been quick to respond to any queries I have raised when I have received instructions from her to carry out an expert report. Her responses have been clear and concise.’

‘Herrington Carmichael’s property litigation team has a dynamic and comprehensive regional offering.’

‘Frankie Tierney is diligent, efficient, and with a great eye for detail.’

‘I have used Herrington & Carmichael for over thirty years, for certain casual matters in the first instance and since 2003 full time. They are very sharp, well attuned to recent developments and cover a wide range of legal fields.’

‘The team is very dedicated to personal service. A partner is always available to speak to you and offer quick and well considered advice.’

‘Responsive, professional and knowledgeable.‘

‘Quick to respond, good depth of knowledge.‘

‘The firms level of expertise is unique compared to other law firms, as there is always someone who can assist with any legal issue. Staff are also aware of their colleagues level of expertise and are able to refer matters to the correct person if they do not have a particular type of legal knowledge.‘

‘High-quality technical disputes team, but local to its area. Mixes solidity of legal practitioners, good atmosphere, fine juniors and trainees and excellent contacts in the industry. The backroom is very good.  Effective admin.  Everything you need without going to London.‘