A ‘very well run, responsive and competent litigation team’, Muckle LLP routinely acts for property developers in the region on a wide range of disputes, involving tenant issues, cladding, and unsafe habitation leading to injunctions. Head of the Newcastle team Charlotte McMurchie handles disputes concerning leases, in particular professional negligence claims against conveyancing solicitors. Jennifer Pearson advises clients in the telecoms sector on landlord and tenant matters, and vacant possession mandates; she is also a key name for residential, social housing and agricultural property disputes. Promoted to partner in March 2023, Sarah Barratt works on residential tenancy, commercial property dilapidation and break matters, as well as intersecting trusts and land work.

With the arrival of Helen Hill from Knights plc in January 2022, Ward Hadaway LLP continues to expand its Newcastle-based property-related telecom law offering. The team also routinely acts for NHS trusts across the nation, assisting on hospital-related property litigations. The team, headed by Sharon Mathieson, is known for taking on landlord and tenant disputes, advising landowners on contractual matters, easements, covenants and trespass issues. Mathieson is a specialist in advising public and third sector clients, while Simon Thirtle focuses on defending clients in housing disrepair and unlawful eviction claims. Jeremy Hardy is also noted.

Based in Newcastle, Weightmans’ property litigation team is known for its sector-focused expertise, advising clients in the energy, utilities, construction, education, licensing and leisure sectors. Steered by employment law specialist Christopher Graham, and supported by legal director Jill Dalkin, the team takes on various disputes concerning accrual of significant arrears leading to the disconnection of supply to commercial premises, as well as breach of covenants involving building works. Dalkin is also an expert on trespass, adverse possession, rights of access, dilapidations and injunctive relief. Mark Reeves, a member of the commercial litigation team, works on high-value franchise disputes and is frequently sought out by energy and utilities sector clients for advice on dilapidations, breach of lease covenants, business lease renewals and forfeiture issues.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP’s Newcastle-based property litigation team assists clients across commercial, residential and agricultural land disputes. Senior counsel and head of the team Jen Smurthwaite handles a range of disputes, including intersecting trusts and land matters, easement and building repair disputes. Associate Elspeth Moncrieff is an expert in commercial landlord and tenant litigations. Lease renewals, break notices, dilapidation disputes and contractual disputes involving misrepresentations are routine instructions for Moncrieff. Elizabeth Allen is noted for her focus on residential property litigation matters. Allen also represents social housing companies in anti-social behaviour and possession claims.

Newcastle-based Clarke Mairs LLP’s property litigation team is led by James Godden, known for taking on contentious landlord and tenant disputes and enfranchisement work as well as first-tier tribunal matters. Promoted to partner in June 2022, Louise Ager is recommended for property litigation and contentious insolvency mandates - she routinely receives instructions from residential block management companies seeking advice on the interpretation of lease covenants and forfeiture claims. Ager also advises London-based property investment clients on leasehold disputes, arrears recovery, and possession claims.

DWF is known to have a ‘team of experienced litigators with good legal knowledge and expertise in all manner of real estate litigation disputes’. The firm is known for assisting regional clients across a range of sectors - including industrial, retail, public, telecoms, social housing and transport - on leasehold consultation and pre-emption rights. Newcastle-based Jonathan Smith leads the real estate litigation team, handling rent review disputes and technical advice on REL issues such as break notices. Additionally, Smith frequently addresses public law challenges and housing litigations. Lana Imrie is also noted.

Newcastle-based Mincoffs Solicitors LLP takes on both residential and commercial property disputes. The team, led by the experienced Susan Roberts, also works on break notices, dilapidations, repair issues, re-entry and forfeiture problems, as well as disputes between freeholders and leaseholders. Roberts works on the full remit of landlord and tenant cases, and often collaborates with Ryan Bannon, head of the Newcastle real estate team.

Sintons LLP acts for well-known local and national organisations involved in disputes concerning commercial and residential land developments. The range of work the real estate litigation team takes on includes property development agreement disputes, commercial lease renewals, dilapidation claims, forfeitures, easements, and breach of covenants. Hilary Waters specialises in intersecting litigation and regulatory matters, working with a diverse client base that spans the retail, leisure, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, education, and sports sectors. Dispute resolution expert Angus Ashman draws on experience of working on the full gamut of property issues, including professional negligence claims arising out of real estate issues. Graeme Ritzema specialises in providing real estate advice to clients in the healthcare space. Cristina Falzon is also recommended.

Swinburne Maddison LLP’s property litigation team provides a niche specialism in handling disputes involving tenant issues, namely nuisance and disruption in the social housing space. Durham-based practice head David Low – also a key figure within the social housing team – is experienced in residential, commercial and agricultural disputes, acting on behalf of individuals, small businesses, large corporate bodies, landlords and tenants. Also based in Durham, Lewis Brown is a key point of contact for clients seeking advice on housing disrepair matters, neighbour disputes, construction litigation, and contractual issues.