DLA Piper's property litigation practice acts for notable clients across the transport, infrastructure, consumer goods and retail sectors on lease terminations, dilapidation cases and the contentious elements of large real estate acquisitions. Particularly impressive is the firm’s expertise in protester injunctions, where the team, led by practice head Petra Billing, continues to act for National Highways Limited and HS2. Billing is also noted for her work on property and minerals litigation and is praised by clients for her ‘impressive strength and depth of experience’. Peter Gardner is well versed in complex dilapidations disputes and has expertise in disputes concerning the Pubs Code, while Rob Shaw, who was made partner in May 2024, regularly appears on telecoms and infrastructure-related mandates. Former practice head John Kittle retired in October 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A versatile, tight knit team superbly led by Petra Billing with an impressive strength and depth of experience commercial real estate, agricultural tenancies, protest injunctions.��
‘Petra Billing - incredibly bright, strategic seemingly able to turn her hand to anything real estate, cuts through detail and identifies key points with razor-like focus.'
'Rob Shaw - clear communicator, bright, pleasant.'
'Mary Barraclough - provides good solid support.’
Key clients
- Telereal Trillium
- National Highways Limited
- Sytner UK Limited.
- British Airways Plc.
- Aggregate Industries UK Limited
- HS2 Limited
- UPS Limited
- Heineken UK Limited
Work highlights
- Represented National Highways Limited in high-profile court proceedings seeking 5 interim injunctions and one final injunction against over 100 named protestors.
- Acting on all litigation issues resulting from a portfolio of approximately 3000 public houses as landlord for Heineken UK Limited.
- Successfully acting for HS2 in high-profile proceedings seeking to renew a final injunction to cover the entire length of the route of the proposed high speed rail line.
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.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Petra Billing
Other key lawyers
Peter Gardner; Rob Shaw; Claire Swailes; Mary Barraclough