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

The real estate disputes team at Burges Salmon LLP acts for a broad base of regional and national clients. It also has significant following among international clients, as is evidenced by its work for occupiers in high-profile lease break and dilapidations claims; Goldman Sachs and Virgin are among the blue-chip names that turn to the firm for advice in this space. Elsewhere, the group has a strong track record of handling commercial rent reviews in London. It also generates contentious property mandates from clients active in the renewable energy sector, and also from clients in relation to property insolvencies. Richard Bedford handles a wide range of freehold and leasehold disputes, and has extensive expertise in alternative forms of dispute resolution. Practice head James Sutherland has extensive experience in real estate litigation and insolvency disputes relating to real estate assets. Clients also recommend senior associate David Benjamin and newly promoted partner Chris Preston.

VWV houses an ‘exceptional’ property litigation practice, which operates as an integrated part of the firm’s real estate department. The team has a particular strength in contentious work in the healthcare, education and public sectors. It also acts for developers, charities and religious institutions. Michelle Bendall is an ‘excellent advocate’. The 'brilliant' David Bird and senior associate Daniel Hall are also recommended.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's transatlantic presence makes it well-placed to generate work from US-based clients with interests in the UK, as well as UK-based entities. Its excellent credentials in dispute resolution are evidenced by the fact that its team is equally strong in litigation, mediation and arbitration. James Rees leads the team in Bristol, which covers all types of commercial property disputes and property management work for public and private sector clients. Managing associate Sasha Hinton is also recommended.

Ashfords LLP handles commercial landlord and tenant matters, property development and investment, professional negligence claims and claims for breaches of banking covenants relating to property. Its team is also experienced in leasehold enfranchisement matters, mortgage repossessions and restructuring claims. ‘Experienced’ practice head Sian Gibbon acts for both commercial and public sector clients. Robert Horsey is recommended for his work on contentious trust and probate disputes.

Bevan Brittan LLP’s practice is led nationally by Bristol-based Steve Eccles. Its team specialises in acting for public sector organisations in fields such as health, local government and social housing. Areas of expertise include contentious matters involving telecoms masts, commercial landlord and tenant disputes, development risk advice, housing litigation and dilapidations disputes.

Clarke Willmott LLP handles the gamut of property litigation work for clients in sectors such as property investment, social housing, retail, telecoms, and utilities. Taunton-based Nicola Seager has experience of a wide range of issues, including dilapidations, service charges, forfeiture and lease renewals, among others.

At Foot Anstey, the property litigation team assists clients with high-value disputes at all levels of the court system. The team is strong in multiple sectors including banking and financial services, media and technology infrastructure and construction. It has also increased its market presence in the retail and public sectors. ‘Superstar lawyer’ Patrick Wetherall joined from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in 2018. In a more recent development, Richard Bagwell moved to Stephens Scown LLP. Daniel Cuthbert and senior associate Nicola Purcell are highly recommended.

TLT covers a wide scope of contentious matters, such as landlord and tenant disputes, rent reviews and lease renewals, and disputes concerning contractual obligations. The team’s client base includes commercial landlords and tenants, property developers, investors, financial institutions and insolvency practitioners. It also generates work from public sector clients. Mark Routley’s practice focuses on issues arising in the retail, leisure, telecoms and financial sectors.

DAC Beachcroft LLP has a particular strength in handling contentious property issues in the retail sector. Notable clients include large shopping centres, corporate occupiers and landowners. Practice head Nick Knapman has extensive experience of contentious matters, such as rent reviews, service charge issues, and dilapidations claims, among others.

Davitt Jones Bould's exclusive focus on real estate law makes it a first port of call for many clients on their most complex contentious property issues, including dilapidations claims and rent reviews. The team is led by name partner Madeleine Davitt, and includes the ‘superb’ Maeve Bonner, who has more than 23 years of property litigation experience. Associate director Janani Puvi is also recommended. Clients include local authorities, central government departments and landowners.

Lester Aldridge LLP’s property litigation department is led by Kate Stewart, who has extensive expertise in a wide range of general real estate and landlord and tenant disputes. Stewart's experience includes possession claims, dilapidations, service charge disputes and enfranchisement matters. Stewart's team works closely with the wider real estate group to advise developer clients on contentious matters. In addition, it also provides support to the ports and marinas department, as well as the care team.

Although Michelmores LLP has historically been known for acting for public sector clients in property-related disputes, it has significantly increased its market presence in the private sector, and now generates work from a growing number of developers, private landowners and corporate occupiers. Practice head Andrew Baines, who splits his time between Exeter and Bristol, has more than 22 years of property litigation experience. His expertise includes landlord and tenant disputes, and matters concerning property ownership and property rights.

Thrings LLP's property litigation team represents corporate occupiers and institutional landlords in commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Other areas of focus for the group include handling contentious property-related matters for retailers in the luxury retail sector, rural land disputes and property portfolio management. Warren Reid in Bristol, and Swindon-based Gemma Featonby and Michael Tatters, are recommended.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP’s team operates nationally and acts for a varied client base in a wide range of property-related disputes. It advises large landed estate clients on adverse interests in land, landlord and tenant matters and issues concerning possession of agricultural holdings. In the commercial property space, recent highlights included lease termination disputes and other disputes connected with property contracts. The group's other strengths are in the retail and the property management sectors, and also in representing private individuals in contentious property matters.

Coodes Solicitors fields two separate teams, which bring and defend property-related claims on behalf of commercial clients and private individuals. The firm's work covers areas such as adverse possession, boundary disputes, trespass, landlord and tenant, dilapidations, residential property, nuisance and negligence claims, among various others. Truro-based Peter Lamble specialises in disputes in the commercial property space, while Colin Hunter in St Austell is a key contact for private individuals.

The property litigation team at Steele Raymond LLP is knowledgeable about a full spectrum of contentious issues arising in relation to both commercial and residential property. Senior associate Hannah Dare, who leads the team, advises on disputes arising from the ownership, leasing and management of land. The team expanded its offering by hiring solicitor Lauren Hayes from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in 2018.

Stone King LLP’s team has developed a niche specialism in the education sector, in which it acts for educational institutions in their capacity as landowners; contentious work involves removal of trespassers, nuisance claims, service charge disputes, and issues relating to land management and disputed rights of way. Other clients include charities, companies and high net worth individuals; the group's work for these clients includes possession claims, forfeiture relief, breaches of covenant and lease claims. Tony Pidgeon leads the team, which includes associate solicitor Simon Stone.