Noted by clients for its ‘good strength and depth of services’, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP continues to provide clients with a full-service offering, with notable strength in development matters, spanning rights of light, vacant possession strategy, and telecoms removal. Frances Edwards receives a steady stream of instructions on asset management work, development, and complex landlord and tenant matters. Graeme Robertson frequently acts as an advocate in the High Court, County Court, and Tribunals, particularly noted for his landlord and tenant, protestor injunction, and rent review capabilities. Matthew Weal has a notable specialism in rights of light work, covering both contentious and advisory work. The three jointly lead the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer is that rare thing: a city firm with huge resources behind it, with a thriving and top-notch property litigation department that both dovetails with its other work and acts independently, with a thriving property litigation advocacy unit.’
- ‘Matthew Weal is a partner of the future. Strong and resourceful. He "gets it" and delivers. Graeme Robertson is a calm and reassuring presence on any team.’
‘Matthew Weal and Hugh Le Gear are very knowledgeable, kind, willing, and give good, strong advice and recommendations. They always go the extra mile.’
‘Graeme Robertson is a top-flight litigator who is always calm under pressure and a pleasure to work with. Matthew Weal is a brilliant lawyer who operates at a partner level. He is always all over the legal issues with his keen analytical eye. His commercial nous is spot on. He handles the most difficult opponents confidently, as well as putting clients at ease with his straightforward no no-nonsense approach.’
‘Hugh Le Gear is a delight to work with; he has always considered the issues from every angle and unearths gems in his research, which have unlocked cases - shortly before trial, he discovered a piece of evidence which completely changed the landscape for the client and resulted in the other side settling at the door of court.’
‘This is a very strong team with resource levels that other firms cannot match. Thorough and knowledgeable about the property sector, team members have an excellent grasp of the subject matter. Always responsive when under time pressure.’
Key clients
- ICL Group (Cleveland Potash Limited)
- Gatwick Airport Limited
- Gousto (SCA Investments Limited)
- Stratton Land Limited
- Bank of Scotland plc
- Logicor
- British Land
- Ballymore
- Transport For London
- Federated Hermes (Britel Fund Trustees Ltd)
- aberdeen
- Royal Mail Group
Work highlights
Securing an urgent injunction in under 36 hours from instruction for Gatwick Airport to prevent threatened protestor action from environmental activist groups in their so-called "summer of disruption".
Successfully defending a claim from Macdonald Hotels Limited against Bank of Scotland plc for alleged breach of good faith terms of lending facilities and alleged forced sale of properties (value: c£120m), including securing an order for indemnity costs.
Representing Cleveland Potash Limited (part of the ICL Group), owner of the only polyhalite mine in the UK (a significant national asset), in a claim for compulsory acquisition of property rights under the rarely used Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Frances Edwards; Graeme Robertson; Matthew Weal
Other key lawyers
Hugh Le Gear