At the forefront of the market, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s property litigation department has both commercial property and residential sector capabilities, offering clients support on complex and high-value development and joint venture, leasing and asset management, and property insolvency disputes. Department head Akhil Markanday is recognised for his aptitude in the full arena of real estate disputes, with particular experience on high-value landlord and tenant mandates. Versatile practitioner Rebecca Campbell has experience at all levels of the UK court system, while Victoria Blanchard is an authority on rights of light mandates. Edward Gardner’s far-reaching practice covers insolvency and forfeiture disputes, and also in the team is Alexandra Selka, who operates across the courts and specialist tribunals on high-value residential disputes. Megan Davies is also a key name to note for rights of light and party wall issues. Roger Cohen retired in November 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Akhil Markanday heads the team at BCLP, and it's clear to see why. Akhil's ability to 'get the job done' whilst also guiding his team demands admiration. Calm and collected, he analyses every aspect of the case.’

  • ‘Akhil Markanday and Alexandra Selka are a hugely impressive double act. They are both extremely bright and deliver commercial and pragmatic advice every time (often under extreme time pressure). The business simply loves working with them for that reason. They are also thoroughly good people, which always helps!’

  • ‘Alexandra Selka is first class, always on top of even the most complex and long-running cases. Akhil Markanday anchors the team. He is always aware of the client's business needs and keeps fully across all of their cases.’

  • ‘The residential litigation team are highly professional and has offered excellent advice as well as good project management skills. They have worked well with counsel and provided appropriate resources to keep costs under control. We have found the relationship to be a good partnership.’

  • ‘Edward Gardner - bright, pragmatic and always available on the phone. Thorough understanding of property litigation issues to the point where we rarely need Partner input. Wider team also impressive.’

  • ‘Akhil Markanday's approach is strategic, calm, accurate and considered. He can understand the case and what is needed to deal with it, and get the right result for the client. He identified the right KC to work with on the case I was involved in and was comfortable listening to other people's views, which was essential in getting the job done. His experience in complex cases is key for clients.’

  • ‘The property litigation team at BCLP works well as a unit. Individual team members complement each other in experience and range of skills. They communicate well with each other, and they deliver accurately, efficiently and on time.’

  • ‘Rebecca Campbell is my point of contact. Her intellect, energy and determination make her one of the standout lawyers of her generation. In both one-on-one and large meetings, she is assured and inspires confidence. You absolutely know that she will deliver.’

  • 'Victoria Blanchard (with huge rights of light experience), Rebecca Campbell and Akhil Markanday (head of the team) all have fantastic experience.'

  • 'Victoria Blanchard (Partner) and Megan Davies (Associate) offer clear, well considered and measured advice that is grounded in the real-world negotiations with third parties rather than legal theorising. This is especially helpful in the often-complex world of rights of light where they offer straight forward advice when other solicitors can give an 'on the one hand but then on the other' approach.'

Key clients

  • Landsec
  • Canary Wharf Group
  • Tristan Capital Partners
  • National Grid
  • Almacantar
  • Great Portland Estates
  • Constantinos Cleanthous
  • Hines
  • Heathrow Airport Limited
  • Grosvenor
  • Edge
  • Tesco
  • Aviva
  • St Martins
  • Crosstree Real Estate Partners
  • Blackrock
  • Riverstone Operations Limited
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Federated Hermes
  • INTO University Partnerships

Work highlights

Acting for INTO University Partnerships as landlord in a multimillion pound High Court claim against its tenant, Study Group, and guarantor, Daily Mail General Trust, concerning alleged frustration of a lease of an education facility in Brighton
Acting for Almacantar in an appeal to the Upper Tribunal concerning the meaning and effect of Schedule 8 of the Building Safety Act.
Acting for Heathrow Airports Limited in obtaining urgent injunction to restrain unlawful protestor and activist activity at the airport,

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Next Generation Partners

Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

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

Akhil Markanday

Other key lawyers

Rebecca Campbell; Victoria Blanchard; Edward Gardner; Alexandra Selka; Megan Davies