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Ben Hatton

Ben Hatton

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Clifford Chance LLP

Clifford Chance LLP

England - London • Real estate

1

Property litigation

Clifford Chance LLP covers the full gamut of property litigation, with experience extending from the High Court and Court of Appeal to the Upper Tribunal and alternative dispute resolution. The team is particularly active on high-value property contract disputes and title, easement, and covenant disputes. Team head Ben Hatton is especially well-positioned to handle development issues, including rights of light, but also excels in rent review advice, property-related insolvency, and asset management disputes. Jordan Gulwell‘s broad knowledge of property disputes and landlord and tenant issues covers 1954 Act disputes, contractual disputes, and dilapidations.
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Phone
+44 207006 4519
Email
[email protected]
Profile
cliffordchance.com

Profile

Work Department
Real Estate
Position

Ben Hatton specialises in property litigation and dispute resolution and litigation risk-avoidance.

Ben has expertise in all aspects of property disputes and landlord and tenant issues, with particular expertise in development issues including rights of light, rent review advice and arbitrations, property-related insolvency, professional negligence on property matters, asset management disputes including expert determinations and disputes in relation to contracts and issues arising out of Brexit.

His expertise includes rent review opinion writing, service charge disputes, fit-out disputes, dilapidations, alienation disputes, forfeiture, enfranchisement issues, easements, restrictive covenants, possession actions, contract and joint venture disputes, mortgage & charge portfolio enforcement and foreclosure, property finance disputes, 1954 Act disputes, and advising lenders and developers on risks on developments.

Ben is experienced in County Courts, High Court, Court of Appeal, Mediations, Expert Determinations and Arbitrations.

Career

Trainee solicitor, Eversheds 1999

Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2001

Passed Law Society Advocacy & Evidence, Ethics & Procedure Exams for Solicitor Advocacy 2002

Associate, Linklaters 2005

Joined Clifford Chance as Senior Associate 2006

Director since 2016

Memberships
Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales Member of the Property Litigation Association Member of the Education & Training Committee of the Property Litigation Association
Education

The University of Sheffield (LLB Law) 1997

Nottingham Law School (Diploma in Legal Practice) 1999

Content supplied by Clifford Chance LLP

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Ben Hatton is fantastic, very knowledgeable and responsive and is just what you need.’

    ‘Combining legal expertise with practical, commercially-focused advice. Able to think strategically. Very user-friendly.’

    ‘Ben Hatton - The consummate modern litigator. Jordan Gulwell is one to watch for the future.’

    ‘Ben Hatton is the main member of this team, ably supported by his junior colleagues. He runs an efficient team and is always keen to ensure his clients receive the best service from the firm, and to bring in counsel when the matter requires it.’

    ‘Ben Hatton is commercially very astute, understands his clients' needs and is well versed with establishing the right team to ensure his clients get the best possible advice and service.’

    'Extremely competent and experienced. Have advised on complex dispute and how to attempt to avoid expensive litigation whilst at the same time ensuring that the client is best prepared for presenting their case.'

    'Ben Hatton and Jordan Gulwell have been approachable and there is no doubt about their legal and technical ability in exploring ways to avoid complex and costly litigation whilst at the same time preparing for Court if all else fails.'

Key clients

  • American International Group Anglo Gordon Asphaltic Land Limited Bank of America Canary Wharf Group plc Elliott Management Corporation Flatfair Limited General Electric International GIC Private Limited Goldman Sachs Hammerson plc Heimstaden Bostad AB Helical plc Hemisphere Hondo Enterprises Horizon Nuclear Power Wylfa Limited King Abdallah District Management & Development Company Menta Developments Ltd Mitsubishi Estate London Limited Native Land Nuveen Real Estate (Official Receiver of) British Steel (Official Receiver of) Cardwool Limited Permira Advisers LLP Prodigy Finance Rothesay Life plc Standard Chartered Bank THM Partners LLP Wells Fargo Bank

Work highlights

Created a vacant possession strategy for Helical Plc (the Landlord) for 100 New Bridge Street in London, including carrying out the relevant 1954 Act and break option procedures to ensure each tenant of the premises vacated in advance of the planned development.
Acted for a leading hotel operator in central London in relation to a claim against the developers of a nearby Government premises, which are being redeveloped into high-value residential apartments.
Advised UK pensions insurance specialist Rothesay Life Plc in respect of dilapidation issues, tenant default and rent arrears, including assistance with the interpretation of the Notional Rent provisions in a lease.