The property litigation team at Addleshaw Goddard continues to provide leading advice on a wide array of contentious matters, standing out in particular for its ‘excellent understanding‘ of property insolvency issues and for its ability to provide contentious support to real estate developers and investors. The team regularly provides strategic advice relating to possessions claims, rights of way issues, boundary disputes, and dilapidation claims in the context of large-scale commercial real estate undertakings. Julie Middlemass leads the practice and offers investors and corporate occupiers ‘top-quality advice‘ regarding insolvency claims and vacant possession strategies. In the landlord and tenant space, Elizabeth Cape is highly recommended for her work on dilapidations and break notice disputes, while Chris McGrath is well regarded for his advice on lease renewals.

DLA Piper‘s property litigation team regularly handles complex mandates for the likes of National Highways and HS2, standing out in particular for its ability to advise on injunctions against protesters of major infrastructure projects. The team is also instructed by a number of corporate occupiers and developers to manage the contentious aspects of property portfolios and is capable of dealing with rental disputes, forfeiture proceedings, and matters related to rights of light and way. Petra Billing is a key contact for contentious work in the minerals and energy sector and also handles land protection mandates for infrastructure clients. She co-heads the practice with John Kittle, who is active in contentious portfolio management matters and is noted as a dilapidations expert. Rob Shaw, who maintains close relations with clients in the infrastructure and telecoms space, is also recommended.

The Leeds-based team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is well regarded for its ‘national reputation across a range of truly niche areas of expertise’, specialising in handling complex mandates related to building safety, telecoms infrastructure and property discrimination. Recent legislative developments including the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 provide the practice with a large volume of instructions, and the team also provides strategic advice to property owners on land compensation claims, dilapidations and tenancy issues. The practice is led by Damian Hyndman, who is an expert in telecoms disputes. Alison Oldfield is highly recommended for her work relating to protester disruption and her relationships with education clients, and building safety expert Andrew Todd is also a key contact for clients in the retail sector. Charlotte Miller is another name to note.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s property litigation practice has a first-rate reputation for its work on complex mandates related to property insolvencies, rights of light claims, and Electronic Communications Code litigation. The team has also acted in landmark Supreme Court trespassing cases for the likes of United Utilities and is active in providing strategic guidance on break notices and lease renewals for asset management purposes. Practice head Matthew Baker is recognised as an ‘absolute star’ and is widely regarded as an expert on matters surrounding rights of light, in addition to advising on many landlord and tenant disputes. Nicola Charlton is a key contact for contentious real estate transactions, and development disputes expert Claire James is also recommended.

Shoosmiths LLP offers key advice to a wide range of developers and corporate occupiers and is instructed by the likes of Holland & Barrett and Taylor Wimpey to advise on contentious matters arising out of large property portfolios. In addition to advising on a large volume of lease renewals, dilapidations, possession claims and contractual disputes, the team is also well equipped to handle complex rights of light claims and landmark cladding and building safety disputes. The Leeds-based practice is led by Richard Symonds, who is an expert in property insolvency matters and also advises on a number of vacant possession and rights of light disputes. Matthew Lonergan is a key contact for development disputes as well as landlord and tenant work, and Michael Gaughan is regularly instructed on matters arising out of the Building Safety Act 2022.

Walker Morris LLP maintains a ‘superb team of extremely experienced property litigators’ that advises large national retailers and major developers and landowners on a wide array of property management and development disputes. The team is particularly well regarded for its expertise in building safety matters, having acted in landmark disputes related to the Building Safety Act 2022, and is also instructed to handle dilapidations, restrictive covenants, and insurance disputes. Martin McKeague, who has built a strong reputation in matters related to indemnity insurance, co-leads the practice with landlord and tenant dispute expert Karl Anders. David Manda is a key contact for contentious development matters, and Lewis Couth is highly recommended for his building safety expertise.

The Leeds-based property litigation team at Bevan Brittan LLP is ‘extremely well-regarded‘ for its advice to clients in the finance and public sectors, including the likes of NHS Property Services and West One Loans. Under the leadership of practice head James Teagle, the practice has the ability to handle enforcement and possession claims related to insolvencies and receiverships. Teagle is also active in land disputes and is a key contact for health and local government clients. Alex Dunne is highly recommended for his landlord and tenant work, advising on high-value dilapidation claims.

CMS acts for major nationwide property holders, including Mileway and The Crown Estate, on the contentious aspects of their property portfolios, in the context of which the team is regularly instructed to handle property insolvencies, building safety matters, contentious land acquisitions, and Covid-related rent arrears. The team regularly handles high-value disputes and is led from Sheffield by Simone Ketchell, who frequently collaborates with colleagues in offices across the country to provide strategic advice on possession claims and tenancy disputes. Martin Garner, who was promoted to partner in May 2022, handles a large volume of telecoms disputes, and Sarah Pope is a key contact for landlord and tenant matters. Edward Gamble is also recommended.

The ‘very technically minded team’ at Squire Patton Boggs excels at handling land compensation matters and compulsory purchase claims, acting for a number of energy, aviation and local government clients as well as large landowners in relation to high-value compensation claims related to major infrastructure and telecoms projects. Practice head David Holland is an expert in this branch of work and is also capable of advising on protester and trespasser injunctions as well as a broad range of landlord and tenant matters. Bethany Casey is another key member of the team and is valued for her advice on contentious development matters.

Blacks Solicitors LLP provides ‘expert advice and assistance’ on a wide array of property disputes and is particularly reputed for its work in the telecoms space, where the team regularly advises clients with large telecoms portfolios on lease renewal and development disputes as well as contentious infrastructure installations. Practice lead Luke Maidens is an expert on matters related to the Telecommunications Code 2017 and Electronic Communications Code 2019 and also extends the team’s offering to clients seeking advice on dilapidations and land valuation disputes. Aimee Hutchinson is a key contact for disputes in the holiday and home parks sector, and Paul Sagar bolsters the team’s telecoms expertise.

The Leeds-based team at DAC Beachcroft LLP is a growing presence in the Yorkshire property litigation market, leveraging its national strength to offer major retailers and landlords advice on high-value rent arrears claims. The team is also active in the telecoms sector, where it regularly acts on matters related to the Electronic Communications Code as well as assisting with lease renewals and contract disputes. Clare Hartley, who leads the practice, is very active in debt recovery litigation and has also advised on disputes related to rights of access. Her work is supported by Kai Ricciardiello, who is recommended for his work in telecoms disputes.

The Hull-based property litigation team at Gosschalks is well equipped to advise pub companies and national retailers on the contentious aspects of their property portfolios, with particular expertise in contested lease renewals and rent arrears as well as dilapidation claims. The practice is jointly led by Victoria Quinn and Matthew Fletcher, who bolster the firm’s expertise in contentious telecoms matters in addition to advising clients in the licensed leisure sector. Julia Williams and Rachel Garton maintain close relations with some of the practice’s largest pub company clients and are highly recommended for their advice on leasehold matters.

Lawyers at speciality property litigation firm Hagen Wolf are widely regarded as experts in the dilapidations space, and the team regularly assists clients including Caddick and Regional REIT with interim and terminal dilapidations cases in the context of wide-reaching property portfolio advice. The team is also well-equipped to handle land and development disputes as well as possessions claims and regularly advises clients in the telecoms sector. Managing partner Matt Pugh co-leads the practice with Richard Robinson. Both lawyers are regularly instructed to handle dilapidation claims and are capable of advising on the full spectrum of contentious property matters. Philip Copley, who has advised on development disputes and fraudulent misrepresentations, is also highly recommended.

The Sheffield-based team at Irwin Mitchell is capable of advising standout manufacturers and property investors on a wide range of property litigation matters, from dilapidation and damages claims and leasing issues to rights of light and rights of way matters. The team frequently advises on these matters in the context of property portfolio management and is well versed in handling contentious development matters. Practice head Danny Revitt manages the contentious aspects of property portfolios for major landlords and tenants and acts across a broad range of contentious mandates. Thomas Freeman is a key contact for development disputes and is also active on lease renewal matters. Lisa Stratford departed the firm in December 2022.

The property litigation team at Schofield Sweeney advises a client roster, which includes Evri/Hermes and The Trafford Centre, on contentious asset management issues, including contested lease renewals and dilapidation claims. The practice has also acted in high-value telecoms disputes and contentious transactions to support high-value developments and acquisitions, and works with a number of clients in the waste and renewables sectors. The practice is led by Richard Jobes, who advises on a wide range of commercial property disputes and has extensive experience in break option disputes and leasing matters.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is well regarded for its ability to handle the contentious aspects of portfolio management for clients in the rail, retail, telecoms, and residential living sectors. Under the leadership of Fiona Graham, the team regularly acts on matters related to the Electronic Communications Code 2019 and assists with a large volume of lease renewal, rent arrears, and dilapidation claims for large landlords and tenants. Jen Smurthwaite is a further key contact and advises on contentious transactions and land disputes. Paul Joyce is another name to note.

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP‘s Hull-based property litigation team is active across a range of contentious development mandates, acting for property developers as well as a number of prominent port and dock operators on restrictive covenants, transactional disputes, and right of way matters. Practice co-heads Nick Dean and Stephen Kell are key contacts for development work as well as landlord and tenant mandates.

Clarion fields a ‘brilliant team of high-quality lawyers’ that handles a large volume of claims related to repossessions, while also counting landlord and tenant disputes in its caseload. The team is capable of advising on a wide range of dilapidations and rent arrears claims, with practice head Sophie Morley regularly instructed to handle contentious work in the context of property portfolio management. Transactional and development disputes are further areas of expertise for the practice. Natalie Brierley and Philip Feather departed the practice in October 2022 and January 2023, respectively, while the firm recently welcomed Lisa Stratford from Irwin Mitchell and Kate Joss from DWF.

LCF Law‘s Bradford and Leeds-based practice offers its clients an ‘excellent service‘ across a wide range of tenancy and land disputes, with practice head Ragan Montgomery leading the team that is well equipped to deal with possession claims, lease renewals, dilapidations, and trespassing claims. Montgomery is experienced in handling contentious trust disputes, while land dispute expert Tom Edwards regularly acts against trespassers in High Court and County Court litigation.

McCormicks is instructed by standout clients in the sport and entertainment sectors, as well as a number of developers and landed estates, to advise on boundary disputes, possession claims, and a diverse range of contentious tenancy matters. The practice is newly led by David Birks, who joined the team from Newtons Solicitors Limited in November 2022 and excels at handling dilapidation claims and development disputes. Commercial litigator Peter McCormick maintains close relations with the firm’s sports clients, and Alex Harrison is a key contact for landlord and tenant disputes. Former practice head Philip Edmondson left in November 2022.

The Harrogate-based Raworths team is well-versed in handling possession and trespassing claims, contentious leasing matters, and boundary disputes. The practice is instructed by a diverse array of commercial and private landlords and tenants and has a strong reputation for advising agricultural landowners in the region. The practice is led by Matthew Hill, who is an ‘extremely competent and methodical solicitor’ with expertise in rural property disputes that enables him to act on a large volume of tenancy and boundary matters.

Rollits LLP maintains a Hull-based presence that caters to individual and commercial landowners and developers seeking advice on boundary and right of way disputes, possession claims, and contested lease renewals. The team is also active on both sides of landlord and tenant disputes, with practice head Chris Drinkall advising on forfeiture actions and dilapidations.

Tyr advises a growing roster of corporate clients, including The Trafford Centre and DFSD Seaways, on property insolvency claims, development disputes, and a diverse array of contentious landlord and tenant matters. The firm frequently handles the contentious aspects of portfolio management, for which the ‘technically strong and solution-focused’ practice head Laura Salvati is a key contact. Nigel Brook is recommended for his ability to act in dilapidation claims and lease renewals.

The Sheffield-based property litigation team at Wake Smith Solicitors Limited benefits from the guidance of experienced practice head Elizabeth Shaw, who has expertise in possession claims and forfeitures, easements and insurance indemnity claims. The team is also capable of acting across a wide range of tenancy disputes and counts dilapidations, rent arrears, and lease renewals as part of its caseload. Further key contacts include Michael Doherty, who acts on property defects, and Sophie Kerry, who has experience handling Section 21 notices.

Weightmans specialises in acting for clients in the education, licensed leisure and social housing sectors, counting Greene King, York University and Clarion Housing Association on its client roster. The team is regularly instructed to handle trespassing and vacant possession claims as well as forfeitures, and it is also well versed in tenancy contract disputes. Ben Mackenzie leads the practice and is a key contact for pub companies seeking contentious estate management advice, especially in respect of landlord and tenant disputes. Reena Richards is a key contact for leasing disputes.