‘Balancing legal knowledge with commercial awareness to meet the needs of blue-chip clients’, Dentons' property litigation practice provides comprehensive counsel to retailers, investors, and developers. The Milton Keynes-based David Payton leads the practice alongside Bryan Johnston, a versatile practitioner overseeing work in neighbourly matters, development agreements, and rights of light. Gemma Hunter-Barnes is a trusted adviser to landlords and retailers on business lease renewals and possession claims, while Thomas Nolan is recognised for his work in commercial and high-end residential mandates. Leanne Norton is a key name in the team for landlord and tenant matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The firm is unique in every way, delivering exceptional service from an experienced team that truly cares about their clients. Knowledge and areas of specialism are superb and show in the handling of often complex and time-consuming cases.’
- ‘The people are what make this firm unique. Passion - every member of the team is truly passionate about their field, including the trainees that we work with. It doesn't matter at what level, the passion, dedication and excitement clearly show through in what they are doing whether it’s a complex litigation matter or a simple lease transaction and it doesn't matter if it is a trainee or a partner, the level of passion and dedication is clear in all of the team.’
- ‘Thomas Nolan is excellent and a partner in the making to watch. He has an amazing eye for detail and focuses on the important matters of a dispute. He is very approachable and great to work with.’
- ‘Bryan Johnston is a real leader within the property litigation world. He is an excellent person to work with and has huge property litigation experience.’
- ‘The team is particularly strong on all matters affecting mixed-use developments. As regards litigation and dispute resolution, they have particular expertise on restrictive covenants and development issues generally, along with telecoms and Building Safety Act work. The team is very commercially minded.’
- ‘The team is superb at balancing legal knowledge with commercial awareness to meet the needs of blue-chip clients.’
Key clients
- Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd
- Co-operative Group
- The Official Receiver
- Taylor Wimpey
- ATS Euromaster
- Argos
- London Borough of Southwark
- Sainsbury's Bank
- Prestbury
- Secure Income REIT
Work highlights
Acting for Sainsbury's in successfully defeating its landlord's opposition to the grant of a new lease. The landlord opposed the grant of a new lease on the redevelopment ground.
Advice to Arcelor Mittal Kent Wire on the renewal of leases where landlord has opposed a new lease of a part of the client’s site under ground. The part of the site opposed is critical to the client’s business and could shut down the client’s entire operation in the UK.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
Bryan Johnston; David Payton
Other key lawyers
Gemma Hunter-Barnes; Thomas Nolan; Leanne Norton