Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Dispute Resolution/Property Litigation

Scott is a Partner in the Property Litigation team and Dispute Resolution department.

Scott spent the first 15 years of his career in the City. Drawing on this experience, heis able to bring a wide range of technical knowledge and commercial nous to resolve any real estate dispute. His practice spans both commercial and residential property disputes, but he has a particular interest in landlord and tenant litigation, real estate professional negligence, and high end residential property issues.

On the commercial side, he has developed an expertise dealing with cases involving the applicability of the criteria for opposing a new business tenancy on the grounds of redevelopment (ground (f)).

With residential tenancies, Scott has represented landlords and tenants of long leases in connection with enfranchisement claims, service charge disputes and disputes between tenant directors of freehold companies.

He acted for the successful landlord in Court of Appeal case concerning waiver of the right to forfeit a long residential lease.

Scott has had numerous articles and comment published in publications including the Estates Gazette, Financial Times, Property Week, Solicitors’ Journal, Lexis Nexis, The Property Law Journal and Prime Resi.

Reported Cases

BDW Trading Limited v Opticlife Limited [2010] EWHC 1951 (Ch) (Notices to Complete had been incorrectly served, entitling the client purchaser to the return of deposits worth £1.5m)
Greenwood Reversions Limited v (1) WEF (2) Mehra [2008] H.L.R. 31 (CA) (consideration of the correct approach to granting relief against forfeiture of a long residential lease
Hollis et al v Rolfe et al [2008] EWHC 1747 (Ch) (undue influence in property contracts)

Qualified 2002, joined Payne Hicks Beach 2018, senior associate 2018, partner 2019.

Scott is a member of the Education and Training Committee of the Property Litigation Association.

Scott has an MA in Social and Political Sciences from Girton College, Cambridge.