Madeleine Davitt > Davitt Jones Bould > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Acting for a significant number of local authorities, Davitt Jones Bould covers transactional, litigation, commercial and public law issues and assists across a spectrum of development mandates, such as expansions, redevelopments and infrastructure projects. Additionally, the team handles public inquiries and judicial reviews. The department is co-led by Madeleine Davitt, who shares her time between London and Manchester, and Malcolm Iley in London, renowned for his expertise in procurement and compulsory purchase work. Sean Bulman handles commercial property matters for his council clients. Yohanna Weber provides environmental counsel for major public sector projects, while Philippa Hipwell specialises in aiding councils with substantial investment endeavours. Planning specialist John Qualtrough assists on major projects and Stephanie Hall also stands out within the team.

Clients praise the department at Davitt Jones Bould for its ‘excellent communication, collaboration, and transparency’. The firm advises on the full gamut of corporate occupier matters, ranging from lease portfolio management, pre-lets, asset management strategies, and the development of new offices, often advising local and international household names. Peter Allinson and Madeleine Davitt jointly head the group, with Davitt frequently leading large scale real estate projects. John Condliffe demonstrates transactional experience and has helped in developing distribution hubs for major retailers, Teresa Kamppari Baker advises developers and real estate investors, and Melanie Greer-Walker handles commercial property mandates. Sean Bulman focuses on real estate portfolio management, Philippa Hipwell’s strengths include landlord and tenant work, and Louisa Swanton advises on real estate matters in the agricultural sector. Clients come to Gillian Lewis for assistance on investment and corporate occupier work, whereas Mary Anderson is a key contact for real estate finance matters.

The rapidly growing team at Davitt Jones Bould advises public and private clients on the full spectrum of real estate investment matters. Peter Allinson, Madeleine Davitt and John Condliffe lead the team. Davitt is experienced in supporting public bodies, whilst Condliffe is particularly active for major retailers. Teresa Kamppari Baker adds to the firm’s retail expertise alongside her hotel experience. Katy Bearn joined the practice in September 2023 from Gowling WLG.

At Davitt Jones Bould, the group advises councils and national estates on development disputes, dilapidation claims, and contentious public law matters relating to real estate. Peter Allinson and Madeleine Davitt jointly anchor the firm’s property litigation practice. The ‘insightful’ Jonathan Warner-Reed has illustrated experience in the leisure sector, and advises on rights of light, adverse possession cases, and the judicial review of planning applications. Maeve Bonner assists major institutions on issues relating to estates, such as lease negotiations and contentious break notices, while the ‘exceptional’ Helen Close focuses on landlord and tenant disputes, often involving rent review and the enforcement of covenants.

Praised for its ‘strong project management capabilities’, Davitt Jones Bould is often engaged in development consent orders, infrastructure agreements, and planning inquiries. Peter Allinson and Madeleine Davitt jointly lead the practice, while the ‘talented and hard working’ Stephanie Hall is experienced in compulsory purchase orders and highway developments. Yohanna Weber is highly proficient in infrastructure and energy developments, while Nigel Hewitson focuses on public inquiries.

Davitt Jones Bould is a boutique real estate firm experienced in providing its clients, which regularly include public bodies, on their development and regeneration schemes. Its expertise covers the full life cycle of a development project. The firm is well-versed in alternative asset classes, including affordable housing and film studio developments. The team is led by Peter Allinson, Madeleine Davitt and John Condliffe. Melanie Greer-Walker is a veteran in office development, whilst Philippa Hipwell often advises healthcare clients. The firm has seen sizable growth in the past year, with a number of new partners joining: Namita Maktar and Sandy Munroe joined in January 2024 from an in-house position and Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP respectively; Paul Davies joined in February 2024 from Harper James; and Stephanie Robinson joined in November 2023 from Bird & Bird LLP.

The Manchester-based practice at Davitt Jones Bould is highly regarded for its capabilities in advising on high-value developments, acquisitions and disposals, and lease-related issues. Key names include the ‘excellent’ Zaheer Bashir, Abigail Kay who is noted for her ‘fantastic commercial acumen’, and Nichola Gray. The ‘first-class and razor sharp’ Tony Fitzmaurice is well-versed in relocation projects . Madeleine Davitt oversees the group from both Manchester and London.