Consistently acting on big ticket litigation relating to dilapidations, contested breaks and rent arrears, the Birmingham-based Shoosmiths LLP team is hailed for its ‘speed of work and coordination’. Representing a diverse array of clients from across the property investment, retail and automotive spheres, the Midlands offering is headed by Kate McCall, who specialises in claims arising in the Appeal Courts and Upper Tribunals. Nick Shepherd leads the national practice, concentrating predominantly on rent reviews and development disputes, whilst Paul Knight frequently advises commercial developers and investors. Elinor Sandbach is an expert on landlord and tenant disputes, and Natalie Aldread is also highlighted as key.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Kate McCall is very knowledgeable, helpful, eloquent and able to articulate effectively. Laurence Matthews is also very friendly and helpful, and the communication is effective.’
‘Elinor Sandbach and Amy Beaumont are an excellent team. They deliver sensible and timely commercial advice to property litigation problems.'
‘Elinor Sandbach is an excellent property litigation partner. Elinor's strength is providing cost efficient sensible advice in a timely manner.’
‘Very impressed with the speed of work and coordination with other departments.’
‘Kate McCall and Amy Beaumont are very nice to deal with and provide well-thought-out advice in a prompt manner. They are calm and focused.’
Key clients
- British Car Auctions
- Calthorpe Estates
- Central Midlands Co-op
- Crown Paints Limited
- Equation Properties Limited
- GXO Logistics
- INGKA Centres (Ikea)
- Krispy Kreme
- McArthurGlen Group / McArthurGlen UK Retail Limited
- Mountain Warehouse
Work highlights
- Retained by McArthurGlen UK to formulate and implement tenant management and vacant possession strategies to pave the way for extensions to existing McArthurGlen centres in the West Midlands, East Midlands and Bridgend.
- Managing Poundland Limited’s property portfolio (204 ongoing matters), ranging from contested matters, disputes regarding the rent to be paid on renewal of a lease and high value dilapidations claims to ensure that Poundland and group companies property portfolios are run efficiently, and disputes resolved in a cost-effective and timely way.
- Providing cross-portfolio asset management and litigation support to UKRO Property Holdings and its fund and asset managers, ADAPT Real Estate, across UKRO’s entire UK office portfolio, including: representing UKRO in one of only a handful of arbitrations which progressed to conclusion under the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022, in relation to relief from pandemic rent payments.
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.
Practice head
Kate McCall; Nick Shepherd
Other key lawyers
Paul Knight; Elinor Sandbach; Richard Willcox; Natalie Aldread; Bradley Roberts; Laurence Matthews; Amy Beaumont