Real estate
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
Mentions
Profile
Position
Partner, Head of the Real Estate Sector Team (UK), Head of Real Estate Litigation (UK)
Career
Enterprise Chambers (pupil) 1998-1999; Simmons & Simmons (paralegal) 2000-2001; Slaughter and May (trainee then associate) 2001-2011; Lawrence Graham (senior associate) 2011-5/2014; Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co LLP (Partner) 5/2014 to date; Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, partner, 2014.
Memberships
Law Society; Property Litigation Association.
Education
Bramhall High School, Stockport; Keble College, Oxford; Inns of Court School of Law, BA (Hons) Jurisprudence (1997); barrister at law (1998), solicitor (2004).
Content supplied by Gowling WLG
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.’
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
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.