With a strong track record in restrictive covenant claims, dilapidation cases, and complex rent review issues, Gowling WLG is routinely called upon by local boroughs, insurance corporations, and government departments. The practice has expertise in managing rights of light and alleged misrepresentation disputes, with noteworthy experience in High Court proceedings. Clive Chalkley oversees the national offering, while Paul Barker spearheads the Birmingham division, specialising in acting for energy providers and housebuilders. Rob Bridgman is hailed as an ‘excellent partner’ who focuses on the telecoms sector. David Wigy is experienced in advising on developers’ breaches under development agreements. Thomas Kiernan-Wilson is also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Truly the top property litigation practice in the Midlands and with quality in London too. Great strength in depth from partner level down. Top quality work in the commercial property, development, telecoms, landlord and tenant sectors. A really exciting firm with a great focus on diversity too.’
‘Paul Barker is everything a client wants from their solicitor: a trusted adviser with a wealth of experience, great legal acumen, and excellent client skills.'
- 'Rob Bridgman is a great technical lawyer with expertise spanning property and telecoms. Always a pleasure to work with Rob.'
- 'David Wigy is top-notch and very able.'
‘Excellent national practice and also very strong on development disputes. Although located in the West Midlands, the team is known as a national team for property litigation and, to my min,d competes with the large City of London firms (including collaborative work with the Gowling London office, with members of the team working seamlessly from the different offices). Very good support in heavy High Court litigation.’
‘Rob Bridgman combines being a very astute lawyer with excellent commercial awareness. Clients have confidence in his handling of their cases and he runs his team very well. Charlotte Weeks is a junior lawyer to look out for; she is all over the detail of a case and remains calm in difficult situations. Charlotte Tyfield is also a very strong team member.’
‘Rob Bridgman is the most thoughtful property litigator in the game.’
‘Rob Bridgman is an excellent partner. He is a busy practitioner who is very capable. He manages his team both when delivering advice in complex prop lit cases and when supervising his juniors working on smaller cases.’
'An amazing team with significant experience of handling weighty cases. Blue chip clients to die for. What a practice!'
'Rob Bridgman is the best property litigator in Birmingham and one of the best in the country. Unparalleled. Trusted by numerous house builders to get the job done.'
Key clients
- NFU Mutual Insurance Society
- Persimmon Homes
- Royal London
- Zurich/Columbia Threadneedle Investments
- Bloor Homes Limited
- Schroder UK Property Fund and Schroder Retail Property Unit Trust
- Mucklow
- Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited
- Transport for London
- Entain Group (which includes Ladbrokes and Coral)
- Cellnex/On Tower UK Limited
- Landsec
- LaSalle Investment Management
- London Borough of Barnet
- Taylor Wimpey UK Limited
- St Modwen
- Telefonica Limited
- Barratt Redrow plc
Work highlights
Acting in Rowland Bratt v Nigel Jones [2024] EWHC 631 (Ch), one of the key cases of 2024 in the field of professional negligence, particularly in relation to land valuation.
Acting in YEP Property Limited v St Modwen Developments Limited, a multi-million pound claim.
Advise institutional investors and funds on portfolio management including high-profile clients Columbia Threadneedle, NFU Mutual, Royal London, LaSalle Investment Management, NILGOSC, HSBC Pension Trust, M&G, Industrials UK LP and USS.
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.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Clive Chalkley; Paul Barker
Other key lawyers
Rob Bridgman; David Wigy; Thomas Kiernan-Wilson