Bishop & Sewell LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Bishop & Sewell LLP Offices
Bishop & Sewell LLP
59-60 RUSSELL SQUARE
LONDON
WC1B 4HP
England
59-60 RUSSELL SQUARE
LONDON
WC1B 4HP
England
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Bishop & Sewell LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Real estate > Residential property Tier 3
At Bishop & Sewell LLP, the group covers all aspects of residential real estate, including the acquisition of prime and super-prime central London properties, and country homes. The team regularly acts for lenders in a broad spectrum of property transactions, and has considerable strength in advising on high-value leasehold purchases. Thom Wilkinson primarily assists national and international high-net-worth individuals, and Ossie Swaine specialises in residential sales and purchases of high-value freehold and leasehold interests in central London. Mark Chick co-leads the landlord and tenant team, Chris Macartney specialises in diverse matters including enfranchisement cases, and Charles Davidson is a key name within the practice.Practice head(s):
Ossie Swaine; Mark Chick; Thom Wilkinson; Chris Macartney
Other key lawyers:
Charles Davidson; Nicole Couzens
Testimonials
‘Mark Chick and Chris Macartney are at the top of their game.’
‘Charlie Davidson is an excellent young lawyer, and stands out. ’
‘The team are one of the most knowledgeable in the leasehold reform sector. They are responsive and co-operative. Mark Chick is approachable, an expert and wise. ’
‘We have worked with the Leasehold Reform Team at Bishop & Sewell LLP over the last 15 years. Mark, Chris and Thom provide a well-recognised centre of excellence in Leasehold reform and are among the few Central London specialist teams that we refer work to.’
‘I would like to mention Mark Chick and Chris Macartney. They have always gone further and beyond our clients expectations. They will regularly discuss matters with our clients, explaining different scenarios before even being instructed. I know I can pick up the phone to them at anytime.’
‘Two members I can recommend without hesitation are Ossie Swaine and Nicole Couzens. They consistently demonstrate excellent communication skills, promptly responding to calls and messages. Ossie, in particular, has gone above and beyond, working late into the night to secure a sale for a client.’
‘Charles Davidson has a formidable combination of intelligence and pragmatism; he is knowledgeable and delivers for his clients. Approachable, enthusiastic and a pleasure to deal with.’
‘The team are one of the most knowledgeable in the leasehold reform sector. They are responsive and co-operative.’
Key clients
Jordan International Bank
Waverley Borough Council
Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners Ltd
Guaranty Trust Bank
Work highlights
- Acted in the purchase of a freehold property for £10,000,000 from receivers with exchange taking place within 9 days of receipt of papers.
- Advised Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners Ltd in a high-profile case in the UK Supreme Court in the matter of A1 Properties (Sunderland) Ltd v Tudor Studios RTM Company Ltd UKSC 2023/0047.
- Assisted a client with a property purchase, utilising the provisions of the Prescription Act 1832, the team successfully negotiated with a London Borough for necessary easements over land in order to facilitate the substantial property purchase.
Private client > Family Tier 6
Fielding an ‘excellent team’ which gets ‘great results for clients’, Bishop & Sewell LLP‘s family practice advises on nuptial agreements, financial remedies, and children matters. Team head Philip Rutter is ‘extremely knowledgeable‘, often acting for entrepreneurs and those with inherited wealth. The practice is also able to handle international cases, regularly involving trust aspects.Practice head(s):
Philip Rutter
Testimonials
‘Philip Rutter is kind, professional and always available to help me through this divorce process. His advice has been very spot on.’
‘They provide excellent client care and are very approachable, down to earth solicitors. At the same time, they will fight hard for their clients and provide high quality advice.’
‘A good team in a competitive market. A go-to firm.’
‘It is a small team with members of a high level of seniority, contributing a wealth of experience to their cases.’
‘Philip Rutter is extremely knowledgeable and fights hard for the best possible outcomes for his clients.’
‘An excellent team in place who get great results for their clients.’
‘Philip Rutter is head and provides an excellent service to his clients. He is peerless in his knowledge of the law. The department has an super reputation for providing a high quality service.’
‘Philip Rutter is both excellent in the service he provides his clients but is a professional to deal with. He is simply a very pragmatic and sensible lawyer who achieves excellent results without being aggressive in his stance.’
Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate
Nicholas Barlow heads the practice at Bishop & Sewell LLP, which clients say is ‘large enough to have the range of services and skills required, yet small enough to be able to offer a personal partner led service’.
Bishop & Sewell LLP > Firm Profile
Based in central London, Bishop & Sewell has a reputation for excellence in fields including landlord and tenant, residential and commercial property, private client, employment, corporate and commercial work, family law, litigation and dispute resolution.
The firm: We were established in 1979 and moved to our current location in 2010. We merged with the long-established London practice of Monro Wright & Wasbrough on 1st February 2021.
The firm acts for entrepreneurs, investors and small to medium-sized businesses, together with individuals and families.
We believe that a good solicitor is approachable, innovative and open, helping to identify attainable goals and the best strategy to reach them. As a result we have built enduring relationships and continue to act for a number of our original clients. We are commercially minded and each specialist area is partner-led to ensure delivery of a client-focused, highly personalised service. Within each practice area works a team of talented lawyers with a passion for being the best at what they do. The practice has expanded steadily and as well as serving clients in London and the South-East, we are increasingly instructed by clients nationwide and internationally.
Types of work undertaken
Property: advising on property law is at the heart of Bishop & Sewell. Founded on property work, we take pride in simplifying the complex property process, providing services covering every aspect – from landlord and tenant, purchase and sale, development and financing, to rental and enfranchisement. Our advice aims to add value to owners, occupiers, investors and developers of both commercial and residential property.
Family and divorce: constructive advice is offered in all areas of family law, including matters with international aspects. Wherever possible, the firm seeks to resolve issues outside the courts, but if necessary conducts court proceedings vigorously. Expertise includes divorce and civil partnership dissolution, financial claims on divorce, pre and post-nuptial agreements, cohabitation and separation agreements, children issues, and domestic protection.
Commercial: our client’s benefit from clear advice on the day-to-day aspects of running a business including trade, commercial transactions, consumer law, contract law, data protection and intellectual property.
Corporate: our team advise on all aspects of setting up and growing a business including incorporation and formation, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and reorganisation, raising capital, shareholders’ rights and dissolution or liquidation.
Banking and finance: we advise financial institutions, family offices and specialised lenders on all aspects of corporate lending, acquisition finance, structured finance, project finance, commercial real estate and development finance, as well as borrowers on the best way to structure and navigate raising finance.
Sports law: as a trusted adviser for both organisations and individuals we take care of our clients through a blend of everyday support and tailored advice on governance matters, disputes, commercial opportunities, intellectual property, brand protection, marketing, merchandise, sports finance and wealth protection.
Employment: a team that represents both employers and employees. For employer clients, services include day to day HR advisory support, contract and policy drafting and Employment Tribunal litigation. For employee clients, advice is provided on unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, restrictive covenants, disciplinary and grievance matters and settlement agreements.
Litigation and dispute resolution: Our extensive litigation and dispute resolution services cover many legal subjects, but we deal only in areas in which our personnel have exceptional expertise. These are:- landlord and tenant disputes; other residential and commercial property matters; contract and tort litigation (personal and commercial); other company/commercial disputes: insolvency (both personal and corporate – for both creditors and insolvency practitioners); contentious probate issues (with a particular expertise in dealing with vulnerable clients); presumption of death/missing persons cases; professional negligence; debt recovery
Private client: trusts, tax and estates legal services are primary areas of expertise at the firm, including giving advice on the most effective way to transfer property. The firm assists in setting up will trusts and helping with their administration, as well as the application of inheritance tax. Services cover all aspects of will drafting, tax advice, winding up and administration of estates, deeds of family arrangements, powers of attorney, and creation and administration of trusts in the UK and offshore.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
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| Founding Partner & Consultant | Stephen Bishop | ||
| Head of Commercial Property | Nick Potter | ||
| Residential Property & Team Leader | Ossie Swaine | ||
| Senior Partner & Head of the Landlord & Tenant team | Mark Chick | ||
| Landlord & Tenant | Chris Macartney | ||
| Corporate & Commercial | David Little | ||
| Head of the Private Client team | Nicholas Barlow | ||
| Head of of Litigation & Dispute Resolution | Karen Bright | ||
| Residential Property & Team Leader | Julienne Coffey | ||
| Head of the Family & Divorce team | Philip Rutter | ||
| Litigation & Dispute Resolution | Lee Stafford | ||
| Private Client | Helen Langworthy | ||
| Property team | Thom Wilkinson | ||
| Head of Employment | Rhian Radia | ||
| Private Client & Head of Tax | Gina Fairfax | ||
| Litigation & Dispute Resolution | Ian Pope | ||
| Corporate & Commercial | Jeremy Sivyer |
Meet The Team(s)
Lawyer Profiles
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Mr Nicholas Barlow | Nicholas is a Partner and Head of the Private Client team | View Profile |
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Stephen Bishop | Stephen is Managing Partner and leads the Residential Property team. | View Profile |
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Karen Bright | Partner and head of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution team | View Profile |
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Mark Chick | Mark heads up the Landlord and Property team | View Profile |
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Julienne Coffey | Partner and a member of the Residential property team | View Profile |
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Gina Fairfax | Gina Fairfax is Head of Tax and joined Bishop & Sewell in… | View Profile |
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David Hodgson | Partner and Joint Head of the Family & Divorce team | View Profile |
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Michael Kashis | Managing Partner – Strategy Implementation & Head of Corporate & Commercial | View Profile |
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Mariam Khaliq | Partner and Head of the Immigration team | View Profile |
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Helen Langworthy | Partner and member of the Private Client team | View Profile |
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David Little | Partner | View Profile |
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Chris Macartney | Partner and member of the Landlord & Tenant team | View Profile |
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Ian Pope | Consultant Solicitor | View Profile |
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Nick Potter | Nick heads up the business and commercial property team. Nick has gained… | View Profile |
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Philip Rutter | Partner and Joint Head of the Family & Divorce team | View Profile |
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Jeremy Sivyer | Consultant Solicitor | View Profile |
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Lee Stafford | Partner, advising individuals and businesses, on a variety of disputes. Particular specialism in… | View Profile |
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Ossie Swaine | Ossie is a partner and team leader in the residential property team,… | View Profile |
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Dipak Vaghela | Partner, dealing with all aspects of residential work ranging from sales and… | View Profile |
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Thom Wilkinson | Partner and a member of the Property team | View Profile |
Solicitor Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Laura Cotzias | View Profile | |
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Charlie Davidson | View Profile | |
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Sofia Maxwell | Associate Solicitor | View Profile |
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Rhian Radia | Consultant Employment Solicitor | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of Partners : 18 Number of Fee-earners : 74Languages
Arabic Flemish French German Greek Gujarati Hindi Italian Chinese (Mandarin) Polish Romanian Russian Spanish Punjabi Welsh CzechMemberships
Law Society Chambers & PartnersClient testimonials
CLIENT: Family & Divorce Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “I really appreciate all of your help – I’ve really been impressed with your responsiveness and felt very comfortable with your guidance and great work.”
CLIENT: Corporate & Commercial Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “Thank you for bringing about the best conclusion for us in our company share sale. Thank you also for your contactability and support out of hours, which was particularly helpful, and your straight forward communication skills.”
CLIENT: Corporate & Commercial Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “David Little is very thorough – he covers every angle. He works very efficiently and keeps us well-informed on progress, interpreting the law for us, so we understand what’s happening.”
CLIENT: Landlord & Tenant Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “For leasehold enfranchisement look no further than Chris Macartney at Bishop and Sewell. Combining common sense with commercial acumen, he maintains relationships amongst all shapes and sizes of central London landlords and tenants. Well respected by other professional advisors, he delivers transactional outcomes with a quiet efficiency. Chris is uniquely experienced and connected in the niche field of Crown Estate work.”
CLIENT: Litigation and Dispute Resolution Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “I’d also like to take a minute to thank you on behalf of my wife and I for your diligence and sound advice, it has certainly put our minds at rest that we are proceeding in the correct manner and I am extremely glad that we engaged B&S & yourself in particular and would not hesitate to engage you again either on this or unrelating matters. You’ve provided a great service to us – thank you.”
CLIENT: Employment Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “The employment team at Bishop and Sewell removed the need for me to deal with my employer directly which would have been very difficult in the circumstances. My exit was made as stress free a process as possible due in no small part to the team’s level-headed, diligent and professional
CLIENT: Employment Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “I feel Rhian understood the matter at hand and was eager to get me the best possible deal. I did not receive as much attentiveness when I approached other firms.”
CLIENT: Family & Divorce Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “The professionalism and level of service that I received from your firm is exemplary. I must say a big thank you to you and your team for being able to bring matters to a close. I would also like to say a big thank you for achieving outcomes better than I had anticipated, both with regard to the children and furthermore financially.”
CLIENT: Family & Divorce Client Gemma
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “You have helped me tremendously, your advice and professionalism second to none! You have eased my stress and given my sanity back at a very desperate time, I felt, for once someone was on my side and felt protected- I thank you for that.”
CLIENT: Immigration Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: Mariam Khaliq and the firm have been more than helpful and made the process for my Visa as swift and easy going as it can be. Mariam has been extremely supportive and sincere, never compromising her high quality of work. I am so pleased with the work of her and her team, this is the only firm I would recommend to anyone!
CLIENT: Immigration Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: Best experience ever. We used their immigration department and couldn’t be more pleased with their services. Mariam Khaliq was our angel in the whole process and we are so delighted with her professional knowledge and her hard work team. Highly recommended.
CLIENT: Residential Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “Stephen has dealt with every house transaction of mine, two of which were somewhat complicated, and he couldn’t have performed better at any time.”
CLIENT: Immigration Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: I wholeheartedly recommend Mariam Khaliq and her team. Mariam is an outstanding professional, able to understand the client’s needs and to support with solid advice and high quality services.
CLIENT: Hugh Livingstone
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: Both David Little and Charlie Davidson were extremely helpful and responsive. Had an excellent experience dealing with them in quite a complicated transaction. My thanks to them both.
CLIENT: Commercial Landlord Client
COMPANY/FIRM:
TESTIMONIAL: “Mark and team did a great job that exceeded any expectations.”