J B Leitch Ltd

Victoria Bottomley

Helen Clutterbuck

Senior Associate Helen’s principal areas of practice include the handling of disputes relating to commercial and mixed use developments, with a particular specialism in breaches of lease such as rent and service charge arrears, disrepair, permitted use and dilapidations claims and forfeiture. Helen’s niche areas of expertise include compulsory purchase orders, planning disputes, mines and minerals and the rectification of title and rights of way (public and private). With expansion of the commercial property litigation team a key focus for Helen, she looks for the firm to develop as a leader in this area of work in order to offer a more complete real estate legal service to clients.

Associate Director for and on behalf of JB Leitch Real Estate Establishing the Real Estate department in 2015, Robert is experienced across all areas of Real Estate, in particular in work supporting our Property Litigation team, and handles lease extensions, enfranchisement, Rights to Manage and non-contentious commercial property matters including new leases, headleases and underleases, assignments, Licences and Deeds of Variation.

Associate Director of Legal Katie qualified in 2017, having first joined J B Leitch in 2011. Throughout her career with the firm, Katie has developed a strong, practical understanding and knowledge of Property Litigation areas including service charge and ground rent disputes, forfeiture, breach of covenant and trespass. Acting for primarily larger residential sector clients including landlords and management companies, Katie successfully acts and assists in the handling of First-tier Tribunal matters and actions such as injunctions, right to manage matters under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, s.20 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 consultation and dispensation applications, and service charge reasonableness and liability claims. Katie has developed considerable knowledge and understanding of matters relating to fire and building safety, and has acted in a number of key cases relating to enforcement matters under the Housing Act 2004 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Katie has also advised in respect of claims under the Defective Premises Act 1972. Katie is an established team member and team player, taking a lead in the management and handling of her caseload for clients who appreciate her fresh, helpful and outcomes-focused advice.

Alexandra Green

Associate Solicitor

Peter Humphreys

Associate Practices in all areas of property litigation and commercial recovery of debts arising from the ownership or management of property. Specialises in high value and complex disputes pertaining to service charges, variable rentcharges, breaches of lease, lease interpretation and forfeiture. Acts for a large number of corporate landlords and management companies.

Managing Director

Jonathan Leitch

Business Owner and Principal Solicitor

Zoe Martin-McGrath

Conveyancing Manager Zoe works in the Real Estate team dealing with title reviews and rectifications, collective and individual enfranchisement, voluntary and statutory lease extensions, deeds of variation, sales, sales of part and deeds of easement.

Jodie deals with various property litigation matters involving residential properties and developments, including matters relating to building safety. Jodie’s caseload varies on a day-to-day basis, dealing with applications in the First-tier Tribunal in respect of dispensation of section 20 consultation requirements to recovering arrears on behalf of our clients. Jodie’s role also includes advising Landlord and Management Company clients as to their liabilities and obligations primarily relating to service charges.

Associate Katie deals with a wide variety of residential property matters. Katie’s workload consists of both making and defending applications in the First-tier Tribunal relating to the reasonableness and payability of service charges and dispensation of section 20 consultation requirements. Katie specialises in issues relating to fire safety, non-standard arrears recovery and right to manage. Katie’s role also includes advising Landlord and Management Company clients in regards to recoverability of service charges and breach of lease. Katie also frequently provides commentary through articles and blog posts which deliver practical advice on a range of property matters to clients and the wider public.

Legal Director Phil is frequently instructed on behalf of landlords and asset managers in relation to forfeiture, both residential and commercial, breach of covenant/contract, landlord and tenant disputes and injunctive relief together with complex appeals from the First-tier-Tribunal (Property Chamber) to the Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal.

Heather Rawling

Associate Solicitor

Emma joined JB Leitch’s property litigation team in late 2021 and has been providing technical advice for and on behalf of Landlords and Management Companies in relation to lease interpretation, repair obligations, and recovery of service charges and ground rent arrears.

Associate Lauren deals with a wide variety of property litigation matters involving residential properties and developments. Lauren predominantly deals with applications in the First-tier Tribunal in respect of dispensation of section 20 consultation requirements and reasonableness and payability of service charges. Lauren’s caseload largely comprises cases relating to fire safety issues, specifically in connection with the external façade of large residential blocks. Lauren’s role also includes advising Landlord and Management Company clients as to their liabilities and obligations primarily relating to service charges. Lauren frequently provides commentary through articles and blog posts which deliver practical advice on a range of property matters to clients and the wider public.