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England - London • Real estate
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Property litigation

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Burges Salmon LLP

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Strengthened by its regional offices, the London team at Burges Salmon LLP is singled out for its strength in representing both landlords and tenants on lease and dilapidation disputes, as well as exhibiting a capable cladding dispute and asset management offering. Group lead James Sutherland is a prominent figure on rent review and Building Safety Act claims, whereas Chris Preston is regularly instructed on telecoms mandates. Catherine Banton engages closely with a diverse client roster from retailers to developers in matters within the High Court and Property Tribunal.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This is an excellent team headed up by James Sutherland. The team comprises a remarkable number of highly talented individuals. The technical legal skills know-how is of an excellent standard. The partners are first rate.’

  • ‘I would particularly mention Robert Bailey, who is fantastic, clever and proficient. I would also mention Penny Shannon, who is delightful to work with, and Rebecca Lee, who is dynamic and knowledgeable.’

  • ‘They are one of the only property litigation practices with genuine expertise in Building Safety Act disputes. They are a market leader in landlord and tenant law and its interaction with construction laws like the BSA. The team can handle the most complex property disputes; they have a deep bench and are led by James Sutherland, a standout lawyer at the top of his field.’

  • ‘James Sutherland is a market leader. A master tactician, he thinks deeply about his clients' issues, their commercial and legal context, and uses his experience to provide the right advice. He is no-nonsense, always available and goes the extra mile for his clients. He has taken risks for us, taking on a test case tenant side. A fearless champion for his clients, who will take on all comers.’

  • ‘Rebecca Lee takes the day-to-day lead on all of our matters. She is an exceptional senior associate - an expert in landlord and tenant law and the Building Safety Act. She provides calm, tactical advice and is a fierce defender of our interests. She is a rising star and I have no doubt she will be a partner in future. She deserves recognition for her achievements and the quality of her practice.’

  • ‘Great experience, especially in residential development, and a serious rival of any London-based firm.’

Key clients

  • The Crown Estate
  • John Lewis & Partners
  • St James’s Place Wealth Management Group Limited
  • Tritax Big Box REIT Plc
  • Virgin Management Limited
  • Kent County Council
  • Pennon Group
  • Severn Trent Water
  • Tryst Enterprises
  • JTI Group
  • Taper Building Residential Leasehold Association (TBLRA)
  • FRP Advisory

Work highlights

Advising Post Office Limited on all asset management issues arising from its UK-wide property portfolio (around 1,000 UK properties), including advising on lease renewals and termination, service charge disputes, fire safety works, break options and dilapidations.
Advising Transport for London on multiple contentious and risk management matters across its real estate portfolio, including advising on various development projects across London including a dispute with a developer over a £6million overage payment.
Advising Tritax Big Box REIT Plc on a range of asset management issues across the UK’s largest portfolio of logistics investment assets, most recently on a joint venture to purchase a 74-acre site at Heathrow, known as Manor Farm, to be developed into one of the largest UK data centres.

Practice head

James Sutherland

Other key lawyers

Chris Preston; Catherine Banton; Rebecca Lee; Robert Bailey; Penny Shannon