Covering a wide range of property disputes, spanning from lease terminations to right of light cases, Shakespeare Martineau LLP regularly acts on behalf of national universities and multinational corporations. The practice’s knowledge extends to claims regarding landlords’ repudiatory breaches and obtaining emergency Possession Orders, all headed up by Vanessa Joll. Based in Birmingham, Martin Edwards is highly knowledgeable in restrictive covenant and dilapidation proceedings, while the ‘excellent’ James Fownes covers all aspects of commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Other key figures include Justine Ball, who routinely acts for developers and landowners.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I have worked most with James Fownes and Pia Eames, on a number of complex cases. They are both excellent, and easily comparable with other top property litigation teams. The team has good working relationships internally, which seems to me central to good litigation. You need a team which communicates and supports well within itself so that each member can perform well.’
‘James Fownes is an excellent partner. In part it is because he really likes property law and the property law points that come up in the cases. Pia has a really determination which helps when trying to root out the key pieces of evidence which will make a case succeed. She is too very good at client handling.’
‘For me, Shakespeare's has always maintained a great team of people always ready to act and it's been a pleasure to have that level of consistency even when someone moves on either by retirement or career opportunity.'
‘The teams and individuals that I have the pleasure of working with know our business, they understand our business and they always act in the best interests of their clients.’
‘The Shakespeare Martineau property team are standout specialists in property litigation in the Birmingham area, combining legal expertise with a pragmatic, solution-focused approach. The team excels in handling high-value and complex disputes, often navigating challenging landlord and tenant matters, property related commercial disputes and development-related claims with skill and precision. Their responsiveness, strategic thinking, and unwavering attention to detail make them a trusted partner for clients across the sector. A first-rate property litigation team with a reputation for delivering results.’
‘Partner James Fownes is a true expert at inventive contractual interpretation and on the construction of leases and development agreements. A very deep thinker. Pai Eames is brilliant with clients and great with detail.’
‘Committed, prompt advice in relation to property litigation.’
Key clients
- University of Birmingham
- Vision Express (UK) Limited
- Severn Trent Water Limited
- National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc
- Roman Originals Plc
- CPM Property Limited
- Kroll
- Konecranes Demag UK Ltd
- E.On
- People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals PDSA
Work highlights
Assisted Birmingham University to successfully manage a peaceful protest on its campus by obtaining Campus Wide Possession Order.
Obtained an Order for specific performance of the landlord’s repairing obligations, together with six-figure damages and costs for breach of the landlord’s quiet enjoyment covenant.
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
Vanessa Joll
Other key lawyers
Martin Edwards; James Fownes; Justine Ball; Pia Eames