CMS has a comprehensive property litigation offering and advises across both traditional and emerging real estate sectors. The practice is co-headed by London-based Nick Wood and Bristol-based Emma Pinkerton. Wood has a strong aptitude for cases that have an international aspect, having appeared in courts within the US and the Caribbean, while Pinkerton is noted for her expertise in energy-related real estate disputes. Marcus Barclay has a solid track record in work relating to business rates, whereas Julie Gattegno demonstrates expertise in right to light cases. With a similarly focused practice, Nick Lloyd has experience in pre-development analysis and implementation of right to light matters. Enfranchisement and residential disputes specialist Eleanor Murray covers the full array of residential mandates, and Anna Ralston-Crane acts for a varied roster of institutional landlords, developers, and asset managers on property disputes. Robin Biela is also a key name.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

This is a top-quality team of unrivaled ability, pretty much the best in the business. Great attention to a forward-looking, commercially driven strategy with all the details covered off, so that one can have great confidence that the best course is being pursued.
Amenable, always able to pick up the phone and be 'human'. They have a commercially minded view, not simply a legal one.
Unrivaled knowledge of litigation in the field of Rights of Light with highly experienced partners and a good group of associate talent.
A very distinguished large team, with a long-standing reputation in the property sector.
The team has solid expertise and experience and provides our business with advice we can use.
Marcus Barclay has worked really hard to understand our business and the challenges we face. His advice is always clear and useful. Will Charnock has a great grasp of the detail and provides solid, confident advice.

Key clients

Aberdeen Investments
AEW UK
All England Lawn Tennis Club
Barings Real Estate
BBC Pension Trust Limited
Brockton Everlast
Canary Wharf Group
CBRE Investment Management
Cineworld Cinemas Limited
Citra Living Limited (Lloyds Banking Group)
Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Delancey

Work highlights

Advise The All England Lawn Tennis Club on their Wimbledon Park Project, the proposed extension of the Wimbledon sports ground.

Act for Picturehouse Cinemas Limited (part of Cineworld Group) in litigation with its landlord involving High Court proceedings regarding liability for landlord commissions charged as part of insurance rent.

Acted for Southern Electric Power Distribution in a case on necessary wayleaves under the Electricity Act 1989.

Lawyers

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