Colman Coyle

colmancoyle.com

Tania Albazi

Tania is an Associate and was admitted as a Solicitor in December 2020. Prior to joining the property litigation department at Colman Coyle in June 2025, she trained and worked in a niche London firm dealing with contentious and non-contentious matters, acting for developers, restaurant chains and other retail businesses. Tania also has experience in contract-related disputes. Tania provides excellent and conscientious client care and proactively aims to ensure the successful settlement of all claims within the pre-action phase. She has experience dealing with high-value, complex cases up to trial or mediation. She regularly negotiates all disputes to a successful settlement without the need for court intervention. Her expertise includes: Business lease renewals – vacant possession strategy – possession relating to commercial and residential property – dilapidations – trespass – boundary disputes – nuisance – disrepair.

Neil Boonin

Neil is a Senior Associate and qualified as a Solicitor in 2014 and has since specialised almost exclusively in all matters relating to residential property. This includes Leasehold and Freehold sales and purchases, re-mortgaging and portfolio re-finance, lease variations and extensions as well as landlords’ licences to alter and / or assign. Neil has acted on a wide variety of transactions and for various types of clients. From first-time buyers to veteran portfolio investors, no matter the client, Neil prides himself on his efficient and prompt service and excellent communication skills. His extensive experience means that Neil is able to promptly and effectively understand what his clients’ top priorities are and to tailor his service and advice accordingly.

Matt Champ

Matt is a Partner and specialises in Property and Chancery Litigation for a full spectrum of clients ranging from large companies to private individuals. He is a highly experienced trial lawyer who deals predominantly with complicated, multi-track litigation within his areas of expertise. Matt was initially Called to the Bar in 2011 as a Harmsworth Scholar. He has consistently been singled out in the legal directories as a ‘stand-out litigator’ and has been involved in numerous examples of ground-breaking litigation. His expertise includes: Rights of way – Building Safety Act 2022 claims – Party walls – Right to manage – Business lease renewals – Service charge disputes – Lease disputes – Dilapidations claims – Adverse possession claims – Trespass & nuisance claims – Boundary disputes (including unusual boundaries e.g. tidal/river) – Forfeiture – Injunctions (interim and final) – Proprietary estoppel cases – Trusts of land disputes e.g. disputes between co-owners – Cases concerning resulting, Quistclose and constructive trusts – Title disputes e.g. claims for rectification of title etc. – Property fraud and/or dishonesty – Restrictive covenants and their enforceability – Insolvency – High value commercial/contract disputes – Employment – Human Rights – Procedural applications

Howard Colman

Howard is a founding partner of Colman Coyle and has vast experience in dealing with a wide variety of disputes. In addition to being a solicitor, he is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Howard’s cases often involve a high level of technical knowledge and his experience incudes Courts and Tribunals of all levels up to and including the Supreme Court. Howard also heads our international team and much of his work involves an international or cross border element. As a trained mediator, Howard is also a strong advocate of mediation and seeking constructive ways to settle disputes.

Robert Coyle

Robert founded Colman Coyle with Howard Colman in 1984 and continues to help manage the firm. He provides guidance to the Property Team but also continues to offer hands-on advice to Colman Coyle’s property developer and investor clients. He also finds that his knowledge and experience of company law can be invaluable when advising on property transactions which are part of a broader company matter. Robert was Chairman of the Angel Business Improvement District for 12 years and also for many years was Treasurer of the Islington Society.

Thomas Coyle

Having trained and qualified in the Property Litigation team at Colman Coyle, Thomas has a wealth of experience in dealing with property related disputes. Thomas represents clients in both the First-tier Tribunal and County Court, providing strategic advice to navigate contentious property matters effectively. His expertise includes: Commercial and Residential Leasehold disputes (including possession and rent/service charge recovery) – Building Safety Act 2022 matters – Business Lease Renewals – Adverse Possession – Trespass and Nuisance – Leasehold Enfranchisement – Leasehold Extension disputes – Right to Manage

Neil Curbison

Neil is a Partner and head of the Property Litigation team at Colman Coyle. He represents a range of clients (both commercial and residential) from individuals to PLCs across the full spectrum of property related disputes. He has represented clients in matters from First Tier Tribunal level up to the Supreme Court and is known for his pragmatic and commercial approach to disputes. His expertise includes: Rights of way and rights of light – Party walls – Right to Manage – Business lease renewals including telecoms leases (Code leases) – Planning disputes and appeals – Complex enfranchisement claims – Lease extension disputes – Service charge disputes – Dilapidations – Adverse possession – Trespass and boundary disputes – Forfeiture – Consents – Injunctive relief – Property related insolvency

Harry Dronfield

Harry is a Partner and head of the Company Commercial department, working closely with owner-managed businesses, business owners and senior management. His clients include SMEs and entrepreneurs, as well as larger domestic businesses and international organisations. He also works closely with international businesses that already have a presence in the UK, advising on corporate structures, commercial arrangements and the corporate and commercial legal considerations arising from their UK operations. Harry has extensive experience advising international businesses on their UK operations and supporting clients with their cross-border corporate and commercial requirements. His practice includes advising international clients on establishing UK branches and subsidiaries, as well as advising on the UK legal aspects of cross-border M&A transactions. Investing time to get to know each client’s business thoroughly enables him to provide pragmatic and specialist legal solutions specific to the issues his clients face. With extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, joint ventures, and shareholders’ agreements, he also advises directors and shareholders on their responsibilities, obligations, and rights.

Sayrha Elahi

Sayrha is a Partner at Colman Coyle Solicitors, specialising in Enfranchisement and Lease Extension matters. Known for a strategic, client focused approach, Sayrha has a proven track record of guiding clients through the complexities of Enfranchisement law, delivering clear, actionable advice that ensures clients’ long-term goals are met. With a focus on non-contentious Enfranchisement matters, Sayrha advises on every stage of the Enfranchisement and Lease Extension process, from initial consultation through to negotiation and completion. Clients value Sayrha’s thorough and careful approach, characterised by clear communication, timely advice, and a commitment to providing tailored solutions that safeguard their interests and achieve the best possible results.

Andrew Flint

Andrew joined Colman Coyle in 1987 and became a partner in 1991. Since then, he has worked exclusively in the residential sector dealing with thousands of residential conveyancing transactions over the years. Selling or buying property is usually the largest single transaction most people undertake, and it can be a daunting process for the inexperienced client. Andrew will bring his decades of experience in the field to make the process as stress-free as possible.

Patrick Green

Patrick is a Senior Associate and has considerable experience in advising a wide variety of clients on inheritance tax planning, wills, powers of attorney and related issues. He is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and also holds STEP’s Advanced Certificate in UK Tax for International Clients. Patrick has expertise in probate and dealing with complicated estates, including those estates with assets situated overseas, claims for business and agricultural property relief and post-death tax-planning. He provides advice to trustees and beneficiaries on their rights and responsibilities, as well as tax issues. Patrick is a member of the Charity Law Association and advises on the creation of charities, as well as providing ongoing advice to charity trustees on their duties and responsibilities.

Andrew Hollignsworth

Andrew is a Senior Associate in our commercial property team who trained with a top-75 law firm and qualified in 2016. Andrew has acted for a wide range of clients, from business start-ups taking on their first property to developers acquiring and disposing of property, to established Landlords and institutions granting or renewing their business leases. Understanding and identifying the client’s needs is essential to Andrew so that he can assist the client in protecting their commercial interests.

Philip Otvos

Philip Otvos is a Partner and an experienced Commercial Property lawyer. He qualified in 1997 and joined Colman Coyle as a Partner in May 2017. Throughout his career, he has worked at top-ranked firms in London and has been a partner since 2002. Philip acts for a diverse range of clients across many property sectors. These include start-ups, entrepreneurs, established property companies, restaurant chains, religious organisations, and lenders. Philip builds long-term relationships with his clients. A number of his clients in the retail sector for example now operate from multiple sites with Philip involved from the very first acquisition. He is committed to achieving the best results for his clients, quickly and cost effectively and will always go the extra mile.

Adam Palmer

Adam is a Partner who joined Colman Coyle in December 2012 and has a broad-contentious practice. Frequently instructed to act for private individuals through to publicly listed companies in high-value multi-jurisdictional litigation Adam’s practice covers a wide range of commercial disputes. Alongside this Adam also deals with and has a particular specialism in all disputed private client matters. His contentious practice covers disputed wills, trust claims, administration disputes as well as claims for financial provision under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. As a firm advocate of alternative dispute resolution Adam has experience of arbitration, adjudication and particularly mediation. Adam is recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ by IR Global in litigation and is also actively involved in the firm’s international services and provides advice to clients abroad.

Anjani Purohit

Anjani is a Partner and has extensive experience in advising and representing clients in connection with property related disputes. She is a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex legal challenges and is recognised for her exceptional technical ability, strategic thinking and commitment to client service. She has acted for major landlords, developers, investors, corporate occupiers, and high-net-worth individuals, providing commercially focused solutions in high-value and contentious property matters. Her expertise includes: Commercial and Residential Leasehold disputes (including possession and rent/service charge recovery) – Building Safety Act 2022 matters – Business Lease Renewals – Property Related Insolvency – Dilapidations – Adverse Possession – Restrictive Covenants – Trespass and Nuisance – Rights of light and Rights of way disputes – Boundary disputes – Party Wall disputes

Emma Reed

Emma is a senior associate in the property department. Specialising in commercial property, Emma’s work involves a wide range of property practices including investment acquisitions, development sites, commercial leases and acting for investors, lenders and borrowers in the acquisition, financing and disposal of property ranging from retail, industrial and offices to development sites. Emma also undertakes residential property work. Emma has a proactive, approachable and responsive style and enjoys working with clients to achieve their objectives.

Lydia Scally

Lydia is a Senior Associate and has a wide range of experience in commercial property including all aspects of commercial lettings acting for both landlords and tenants across a range of sectors, all aspects of secured lending acting for both lenders and borrowers, buying/selling ground rent investments, sales and purchases both by private treaty and at auction and working closely alongside managing agents to ensure asset management matters are handled efficiently. Lydia acts for a broad range of clients including small and large property developers, property investors, landlords and entrepreneurs with extensive portfolios. She has built up a loyal client following based on her attention to detail and efficiency during a property transaction. Lydia is a fluent French speaker and joined Colman Coyle in 2005.

Hans Sok Appadu

Hans is Head of Corporate Immigration and has represented a diverse range of corporate clients and individuals seeking immigration solutions. Business immigration clients have included PLCs, multi-nationals, SMEs, and start-ups, across the UK and internationally, in sectors including technology and digital, healthcare, construction, and hospitality. Hans is a rare find among lawyers, combining commercial acumen, technical expertise, and a cheerful, personal approach to all his immigration work. Those skills make him the go-to immigration lawyer for businesses and individuals seeking immigration advice in London to access international talent, establish a UK-based company, or meet individual immigration goals. His expertise includes: Skilled worker visas – Sponsor licence applications – Licence management services – Global mobility services – Business immigration strategy – Licence compliance – Right to work check compliance – Mock Home Office audits and reports – Strategic advice on licence retention – Global business mobility visas – Business visas – Global talent visas – UK expansion visas – Innovator founder visas – Temporary visas – Family visas – Dependant visas – Settlement – Indefinite leave to remain – British citizenship

Simon Tenant

Simon is a Partner in the Property department and joined Colman Coyle in 2006 and advises on a range of property matters with a particular specialism in property development. Simon acts for a broad array of clients from high street banks, property investors and developers. Simon is commercial in his approach to transactions, offering practical solutions to issues when the arise.

Dee Yazicioglu

Dee is a Licensed Conveyancer with over 20 years’ experience in the property industry, Dilek Yazicioglu specialises in residential property transactions, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, auctions, remortgages, and leasehold enfranchisement. Known for her thorough approach and clear communication, she handles both straightforward and complex matters with efficiency and professionalism.