Kirsty Black > Shoosmiths LLP > Manchester, England > Lawyer Profile
Shoosmiths LLP Offices
THE XYZ BUILDING
2 HARDMAN BOULEVARD, SPINNINGFIELDS
MANCHESTER
M3 3AZ
England
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Kirsty Black
Work Department
Property Litigation
Position
Kirsty is a partner in our real estates disputes team. She specialises in all aspects of contentious property advice including business lease renewals, rent reviews, restrictive covenant issues, rights of occupation, landlord’s consents, dilapidations and service charge disputes. Kirsty is recognised nationally for advising national retailers on their property portfolios. Her advice has been described by clients as “invaluable”. She also advises a number of the firms development clients and has particular expertise in restrictive covenant issues.
Her recent experience includes:
- advising high street names on their response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including advising board members on the strategy to be adopted and updating on the numerous changes of legislation, and dealing with in excess of 200 sets of proceedings for rent arrears including the case of AEW UK Reit Plc v Sportsdirect.com Retail Limited [2021] EWCH 1013 (QCB) which included defences of rent suspension, implied term and frustration;
- advising a landlord on a multi-million pound dilapidations strategy, including service of a notice to repair, to achieve a settlement which was not curtailed by the section 18 cap as a terminal claim would be;
- providing strategic advice on a portfolio renewal of circa 280 properties, half of which are proceeding via formal lease renewal claims with the result of them having to be batched and case managed innovatively. The initial case resulted in the tenant successfully securing a 5 year term with a 3 year break and large discounts on quantum and frontage to depth;
- acting for a strategic land client to advise on a restrictive covenant threatening a large development scheme having previously been successful at Tribunal in obtaining a modification to a covenant limiting use of land to a public house to allow a development; and
- acting for a large house builder on the interpretation of a sale agreement threatening the purchase of an important strategic site.
She frequently presents at industry events and is recognised in both Chambers and Legal 500.
Career
Kirsty has been senior associate in Shoosmiths’ real estate litigation practice since June 2015, having joined the firm from Browne Jacobson where she trained and qualified.
Memberships
Property Litigation Association
Lawyer Rankings
North West > Real estate > Property litigation
(Next Generation Partners)Manchester-based Kirsty Black heads up the North property litigation team at Shoosmiths LLP – she is praised for her ‘technical and strategic’ advice, as well as her relationships across the industry. The national practice is led by Nick Shepherd from the firm’s Birmingham office. Former practice head Wayne Nash departed to Deloitte LLP alongside senior associate Ben Kelly in December 2022 and April 2023 respectively. The team acts for a noteworthy roster of clients, including key corporate occupiers as well as commercial developers and investors on the range of high-value property disputes.
Lawyer Rankings
- Next Generation Partners North West > Real estate > Property litigation
- Property litigation North West > Real estate
Top Tier Firm Rankings
Firm Rankings
- Finance > Banking and finance
- Private client > Charities and not-for-profit
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Manchester
- Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery
- Real estate > Planning and environment
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Manchester
- Real estate > Commercial property: Manchester
- Real estate > Construction
- Employment > Employment
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- Employment > Pensions
- Insurance > Professional negligence
- Real estate > Property litigation
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport