Hall Of Fame

Rising Stars

Property litigation in Wales

Berry Smith

Recognised as ‘one of the leading property litigation firms in Wales’, Berry Smith delivers ‘an exceptional service’ to developers, landowners and financial institutions in disputes over rights of land and commercial landlord and tenant issues. The team is appreciated for its ‘very high level of partner engagement’, ensuring clients, which include both public and private sector entities, gain comfort that their work, which is often highly complex, is not being unduly delegated to less experienced members of team. Combining ‘fierce intelligence and exceptional analytical and forensic skills’, team head Simon Care is recognised as ‘probably the best property litigator in South Wales’, and as part of his broad expertise has a particular specialism in rights of way of disputes. The ‘highly experienced’ Iwan Doull  is skilful at handling litigation relating to development projects, including as it relates to CPO compensation, as well as matters with a professional negligence angle.


Practice head(s):

Simon Care; Iwan Doull


Other key lawyers:

Jane Rees; Lauren Parsons; Harry Moyle


Testimonials

‘The team is supportive and efficient.’

‘They are notable for the very high level of partner engagement. Whilst the department is not large it is rapidly increasing in size, reflecting its success and growing reputation. Pound for pound they are a match for anyone.’

‘Berry Smith is one of the leading property litigation firms in Wales.’

Key clients

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board


Welsh Government


Tretan Developments


BBI Ltd


Associated British Ports


Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council


Pembrokeshire County Borough Council


KPMF Ltd


Merthyr Valley Homes


Johnsey Estates Ltd


ARAG Plc


Work highlights


  • Need to do the write up quite confusing from the sub
  • Defending the Welsh Government against a claim brought by a landowner for compensation arising from the compulsory purchase of its land in 2014 which as acquired as a part of the major infrastructure development of the “heads of the valleys” road schemes, linking the M50 and cross Wales road link.
  • Successfully represented a high-net worth individual in a boundary dispute.

Blake Morgan LLP

Blake Morgan LLP has a strong reputation advising England and Wales-based private and public sector clients across a range of property litigation, running the gamut from contested lease renewals and dilapidation claims to development disputes. As well as her broad litigation offering for commercial clients with substantial property portfolios, Sian Jones also regularly provides advice in a risk management context, including on the provision of vital training for housing associations regarding the recently enacted Renting (Wales) Act 2016. Legal director Adam Carbis provides ‘a professional and adaptive service across a wide range of property claims’, including defending public sector clients in CPO compensation claims. Senior associate Tanya Barrett focuses on residential landlord and tenant disputes, including her ongoing work for social landlords defending disrepair claims.

Practice head(s):

Siân Jones


Other key lawyers:

Adam Carbis; Tanya Barrett


Testimonials

‘Keep us updated regularly, and can support you by answering questions about the process throughout.’

‘Adam Carbis has provides a professional and adaptive service across a wide range of property claims.’

 

Key clients

Welsh Government


Canary Wharf Group


Vale Europe Limited


Swansea University


Cardiff University


Wales & West Utilities Limited


Swansea County Council


PHS Group


Royal National Institute for the Blind


Shanly Homes Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Canary Wharf Group on its retail portfolio management including tenant insolvency, forfeiture, rent recovery, dilapidations, enforcement of tenant covenants and break clauses.
  • Advised Newport City Homes in relation to the challenge to the recoverability and service charge costs for major works in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.
  • Acting on behalf of the commercial landlord in relation to a claim concerning the validity of the exercise of a tenant break and compliance with break conditions.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Under the leadership of Rob PhillipsEversheds Sutherland (International) LLP handles a diverse array of property litigation for clients within core sectors of strength for the firm as a whole, including energy and transport. As well as handling fairly conventional disputes, including landlord and tenant and development litigation, the practice also advises on more niche areas, including as it pertains to minerals rights and agricultural law. The team, which is also able to effectively leverage broader resources across the UK network of offices, also has core strength acting on property-related matters for its impressive roster of financial services clients including REITs, SIPPs and Propcos.


Practice head(s):

Rob Phillips


Other key lawyers:

Daniel Gilligan; Amy Acres


Key clients

Thames Water Utilities


The Welsh Ministers


Legal & General (Industrial Property Investment Fund Limited)


Romulus Group


Annington Property Limited


Associated British Ports


Transport for Wales


Local Retail Fund


Segro Plc


Telereal Trillium


Work highlights


Geldards LLP

The ‘talented’ team at Geldards LLP can access ‘wide and in-depth knowledge in their subject matter’, ensuring that public and private sector clients receive ‘an exceptional service and results’, irrespective of the nature of the dispute. ‘Very knowledgeable’ team head Ed Meggitt displays a ‘sensible attitude and business-centric approach’, and continues to advise many high-profile clients with substantial property portfolios, including on dilapidation claims. In addition, he has ‘good knowledge of the water industry and its legal considerations’. Appreciated for her ability to ‘address the more esoteric points that sometimes arise – whilst maintaining sound judgement and a clear and commercially driven approach’, Nicola Lawrence is also recommended. At a senior associate level, Llinos Davies  ‘provides excellent service with an excellent balance of pragmatism and determination’, including for retail clients.


Practice head(s):

Ed Meggitt


Other key lawyers:

Nicola Lawrence; Llinos Davies


Testimonials

‘Geldards provides a client-focused service, neatly balancing legal, commercial, practical and reputational considerations when advising their clients.’

‘The talented team at Geldards has a wide and in-depth knowledge in their subject matter. The team is extremely professional and are deeply committed to delivering an exceptional service and results.’

‘Ed Meggitt brings with him a sensible attitude and business-centric approach.’

‘Ed Meggitt has good knowledge of the water industry and its legal considerations.’

Nicola Lawrence is an experienced solicitor with expertise in property-related litigation and is able to address the more esoteric points that sometimes arise – whilst maintaining sound judgment and a clear and commercially driven approach.’

‘Llinos Davies provides a strong service with an excellent balance of pragmatism and determination.’

‘Chloe Pridmore is sensible, responsive and highly personable.’

Key clients

Chevron International Exploration and Production Company Limited


Environment Agency


Natural Resources Wales


Boots UK Limited / Boots Opticians Professional Services Limited


National Grid (formerly Western Power Distribution)


Burnley Borough Council


Resource R4 Limited


Swansea City Council


Blaenau Gwent Council


Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig / Welsh Water


Peacocks Stores Properties Limited


Welsh Air Ambulance Charitable Trust


Pembrokeshire Coast National Park


WTF Limited


Royal Voluntary Service


Carmarthenshire County Council


Ludlow Town Council


Work highlights


  • Advised the global oil company Chevron on their dilapidations liability following the end of their lease of London premises which resulted in a favourable settlement.
  • Advising the Environment Agency concerning trespass by a number of houseboat owners on the River Thames.
  • Advising Boots UK on a large part of its national portfolio including all aspects of landlord and tenant matters including 1954 Act renewals, break notices, dilapidations etc

Acuity Law

Now forming its own discrete practice group and no longer subsumed within the broader commercial litigation offering - an indication of its growing stature in the market - Acuity Law's property litigation team provides a 'range of experience and client-focused service' to private sector clients (including developers), as well as housing associations. Team head Jennifer Butcher provides 'commercial and sensible advice' on conventional landlord and tenant disputes, as well as in litigation for management companies against developers and insurers regarding high-value latent defect claims. Butcher also handles a considerable amount of social housing-related work, as does Neil Morgan, whose expertise includes bringing claims relating to anti-social behaviour, as well as defending RSLs in disrepair actions.



Practice head(s):

Jennifer Butcher


Other key lawyers:

Neil Morgan


Testimonials

‘The highly skilled and professional team provides concise and reliable advice.’

‘The lawyers have an eye for detail and provide informed advice but with a strong element of common sense’

‘Good value for money, range of experience and client-focused service.’

‘Jennifer Butcher is excellent – intelligent, thoughtful and responsive.’

‘Jennifer Butcher is responsive, and provides commercial and sensible advice.’

 

Key clients

Monet Limited


Valleys to Coast Housing Limited


Coastal Housing Association Limited


Barcud Cyf


Work highlights


  • Representing Monet Limited regarding a claim for trespass and/or breach of an airspace agreement against an adjacent landowner (Ravenseft Properties Limited (“Ravenseft”) of the John Lewis building in Exeter.
  • Assisting new housing association client, Valleys to Coast Housing Limited, on numerous matters including defending disrepair claims being brought by its tenants.
  • Continued to advise Barcud Cyf over the last year in relation to housing management including its anti-social behaviour cases.

Capital Law Limited

Capital Law Limited provides an ‘excellent and prompt service’ to landlords, tenants, owners and developers across a range of litigation, as well as in a risk management context. A significant proportion of the work is healthcare focused, with the firm’s role as one of BMA Law’s designated suppliers accounting for a sizeable volume of property-related disputes. ‘Excellent’ team head Stephen Meade continues to spearhead this BMA work, including on work for GP surgeries on property issues stemming from partnership disputes and challenges to excessive service charges. Recently promoted to senior associate, the ‘exceptional’ Clare Good handles an increasing volume of dilapidations claims, as well as providing vital assistance to Meade on healthcare-related work.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Meade


Other key lawyers:

Clare Good; Tom Jones


Testimonials

‘We receive an excellent and prompt service on often complex issues.’

‘Stephen Meade is an excellent litigator.’

‘Clare Good is an exceptional associate.’

 

Key clients

British Medical Association


Valleys to Coast Housing Ltd


Associated British Ports


Welsh Local Government Lawyers Association


Cardiff Athletic Club


Cardiff City Football Club


Hang Fire Limited


Ascona Estates Limited


Howard Tenens Group


BMA Law


Newydd Housing Association


Friars Walk LH Limited


Little Theatre Trust


Parsons Pickles


Okko Limited


University of South Wales


Work highlights


  • Representing the BMA and five test claimant GP practices in their High Court claim against NHSPS challenging the basis of demanded service charges, following a policy change by NHSPS.
     
  • Advising Newydd Housing Association on all disrepair claims they receive from tenants across their portfolio.
  • Advising University of South Wales (USW) in relation to the new Renting Homes Wales Act – which has implemented numerous new obligations on USW as ‘landlord’ to thousands of students.

Dolmans

Led by Philip Bradley, the 'approachable, professional and very efficient' team at Dolmans provides 'clear, accurate and practical' advice to clients across a myriad property litigation, including on boundary disputes and adverse possession. Although the firm handles a significant amount of private sector work, its strong ties with local authorities remains the lifeblood of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Philip Bradley


Other key lawyers:

Simon Evans; Peter Bennett; Claire Thomas


Testimonials

‘The team is approachable, professional and very efficient.’

‘The advice is clear, accurate and practical.’

Key clients

Bridgend County Borough council


Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council


Torfaen County Borough Council


Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council


Powys County Council


Dorset Council


Somerset County Council


Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council


Atlantic Recycling Ltd


Ageas Insurance Ltd


Work highlights


  • Ongoing assistance rendered to a local authority in connection with multiple claims for housing disrepair from different organisations.
  • Defending a local authority against a claim for damages for insured and uninsured losses arising out of the flooding of their property which they allege was caused by a culvert upstream of their property becoming blocked by debris and other objects leading to a substantial volume of water escaping onto the highway and entering their property and neighbouring properties.

Douglas-Jones Mercer

Douglas-Jones Mercer has a strong reputation representing public sector clients across a myriad property disputes, including on disrepair claims and adverse possession matters. ‘Highly skilled and experienced’ team head Russell Price is particularly acclaimed for his healthcare-related property litigation expertise where he is appreciated for his ‘clear sensible advice’. On the private sector front, Price also regularly provides estate management support for the firm’s impressive roster of SIPP providers.

Practice head(s):

Russell Price


Testimonials

‘Russell Price is a highly skilled and experienced solicitor who provides clear sensible advice.’

‘Russell Price is accessible and responsive and provides clear advice to various health clients on a variety of property matters.’

Key clients

Welsh Government


Public Health Wales NHS Trust


Pembrokeshire County Council


Girl Guiding UK


Bridgend County Borough Council


Shaw Healthcare (Group) Ltd


Four Counties (Holdings) Ltd


Longford Investments (No.1) Ltd


Players Industrial Estate LLP


Estateways PLC


Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust


Pobl Group (including Gwalia Housing Association)


Sanlam Life & Pensions UK Limited


Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board


Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board


Carmarthenshire County Borough Council


Swansea Bay University Local Health Board


Personal Pension Trustees Limited (Division of JLT Group PLC)


Powys Teaching Health Board


Velindre NHS Trust


JLT Group PLC


Toast Mail Order Limited


Aneurin Bevan University Health Board


Isle of Anglesey County Council


Capital Valley Plastics Ltd


Picture House Management Company Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised NHS Wales Estates (on behalf of various NHS Trusts/Welsh Boards) on various strategic matters related to NHS Property throughout Wales.
  • Advising Capital Valley Plastics Limited in relation to a multimillion-pound reinstatement claim against their landlord following the destruction of their premises by fire.
  • Advised Picture House Management Limited in relation to a multimillion-pound claim concerning the defective conversion of a former cinema to an apartment block in Streatham, London.

Hugh James

Combining ‘strong legal and industry knowledge’, Hugh James has solid market credibility among a varied mix of stakeholders, including on contentious property matters associated with the telecoms and entertainment and leisure sectors. Senior associate and team head James Hastings now spearheads the firm’s efforts in relation to mines and minerals claims which show little signs of abating, in spite of Rob Phillips‘ departure to Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP at the beginning of 2022. The team is also adept at handling work for the firm’s impressive roster of housing association clients, with Rebecca Rees  particularly active advising on the recently enacted Renting Homes (Wales) Act.


Practice head(s):

James Hastings


Other key lawyers:

Rebecca Rees; Jo Brown


Testimonials

‘They have strong legal and industry knowledge to ensure their clients receive the best service.’

‘Rebecca Rees really understands her clients and their needs which means she is clear as to the goals that need to be achieved. She has in depth knowledge of her property and housing specialisms.’

I have worked with Rebecca Rees a lot in relation to Renting Homes (Wales) this year (drafting contracts and advising on points of law). She has demonstrated to me she is ahead of the game with this new and novel legislation and is focused on ensuring clients understand and appreciate the technicalities.’

Key clients

Natural Resources Body for Wales


Welsh Government


United Welsh Housing Association


AP Wireless II (UK) Limited


WRU


Pobl/Coastal Housing Association


Persimmon Homes


Conwy County Borough Council


Wrexham County Borough Council


Work highlights


  • Advising a group of 28 landlords who collectively own over 150,000 properties in Wales to implement a new piece of legislation dubbed “the biggest change in the rented sector for over a generation”. Using a pioneering collaborative approach clients made significant cost efficiencies.
  • Advising Persimmon Homes on a judicial review application relating to a decision of the Welsh Ministers which will impact the building of a substantial number of affordable homes in the Caerphilly area.
  • Advising AP Wireless in relation to the new Electronic Communications Code, rental valuation and whether APW could be potentially liable (either on a civil or criminal basis) for telecoms equipment present on their land.

JCP Solicitors

The ‘knowledgeable and professional’ team at JCP Solicitors provides ‘a first-rate service’ to a broad array of stakeholders, from large national corporations to landed estates and private clients. Drawing upon ‘a wealth of experience and exceptional judgement’, team head Sarah Daviesprovides very clear, practical and sensible advice’, including on commercial property tenancy disputes. In his role as head of the firm’s rural practice, the ‘thorough and conscientious’ Rhys Evans handles a significant amount of property litigation for farming clients, including on matters relating to rights of way and boundary disputes. Recently promoted to partner, Jonathan Flynn is ‘responsive and thorough’ across a range of commercial and residential property disputes, including, inter alia, as it relates to rent reviews, service charge cases and Section 146 notices.



Practice head(s):

Sarah Davies


Other key lawyers:

Rhys Evans; Jonathan Flynn; Benjamin Davies


Testimonials

The team provides really specialist advice and is meticulous in their case analysis and consideration of documents.’

They are knowledgeable and professional and provide a first-rate service to their clients.’

The very well-established team has a strong reputation in the area and is increasingly attracting instructions from further afield than Wales.’

Work highlights


Morgan LaRoche

The ‘experienced and knowledgeable’ team at Morgan LaRoche provides ‘considered, thorough and comprehensive advice’ across a wide spectrum of contentious property matters. Team head Jason Williams combines ‘first-rate knowledge of property law with a really good tactical mind’, ensuring that he is a popular choice among clients engaged in complex commercial and residential property litigation, including with regards to service charge disputes. Praised for his ‘very detailed knowledge across a range of property matters’, associate director Ashley Davies continues to enhance his reputation as a result of his ‘tactically astute’ representation of a wide variety of commercial and agricultural premises, residential premises and business and residential property estates.


Practice head(s):

Jason Williams


Other key lawyers:

Ashley Davies


Testimonials

‘The team provides considered, thorough and comprehensive advice.’

‘Experienced and knowledgeable on property issues. I have always recommended Morgan La Roche to clients when litigious issues arise.’

‘Morgan LaRoche provides an excellent quality service across the whole range of property litigation.’

‘Jason Williams is a brilliant strategist.’

‘Jason Williams – he combines first-rate knowledge of property law and the property world, with a really good tactical mind.’

‘Ashley Davies has very detailed knowledge across a range of property matters and is tactically astute.’

Key clients

AMP Energy Services Limited


Arthur Bassett & Co Limited


Centurion (Parc Tawe 1) Limited


Hafan Cymru


Peter Reynolds Properties Limited


Hallmark Care Homes


Ynys Ystrad Cyf


Innkeeper UK Limited


Cylla Homes Limited


Cefn Management


M&D Care Holdings Limited


Metro Property Investments


Kartay Holdings Limited


Esterkin Group


Elias Enterprises Limited


Colosseum Dental


Work highlights


  • Advised a private individual in connection with a dispute with a major national house builder relating to works undertaken on a development site impacting on the land retention and drainage of a high-value residential property.
  • Advised landlords (based in Australia) of a business property in the UK in connection with a long running and difficult dispute with their tenants.
  • Advising the proprietor of a £1.8m residential property in potential claims against the property developer as a consequence of significant incidents of flooding allegedly resulting from the diversion of water from a new residential estate to a nearby watercourse.