Real Estate Litigation: Midlands

Eversheds' three-partner Birmingham-based team maintains its position as one of the leaders for real estate litigation. Its client list includes the retailers Next and Blacks, utilities companies such as Anglian Water, and major banks including HSBC.

Client Service "They are happy to deal with whatever you throw at them, no matter how big or small. While they may be dealing with numerous other jobs for other clients they always make us feel like they are 100% focused on our instructions."

Commercial Awareness "They are very commercially minded and they are willing to listen to the client to understand what their aims really are, rather than just assuming what those aims are."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Leading practitioner Paul Moorcroft heads Eversheds' national real estate litigation team. Lisa Barge is known for her expertise in the fields of leisure and agriculture. Sources say that "nothing fazes her" when it comes to real estate litigation. David Feist is an up-and-coming partner who wins praise for his "practical approach to disputes." He has recently acted alongside associate Kate Bygroves on a number of matters involving tenant insolvency. Bygroves has also handled damages claims and property extensions.

Wragge & Co retains a market-leading real estate litigation team in its Birmingham office. The firm has recently advised clients on a number of disputes concerning leases, and conditional sale and purchase agreements. Major clients include British Airways, HSBC and Taylor Wimpey.

Client Service "They offer sound advice and are responsive to our needs. They are always willing to assist with both transaction updates and general enquiries."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Kent leads the team. He recently advised Harron Homes on expert determination proceedings relating to the contract for the remediation and purchase of a development site. Associate Paul Barker is "very calm and never lets things get on top of him," according to sources.

This firm's real estate litigation practice operates out of offices in Birmingham and Nottingham. The firm receives a steady flow of instructions from corporate entities, public sector bodies and charities. Key clients include Alliance Boots, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and The Alzheimers Society.

Client Service "They have a willingness to work with us and recognise our specific needs."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Aldrich heads the department at Browne Jacobson. He has been advising the Nottinghamshire & City of Nottingham Fire Authority on a £6 million dispute relating to a disused fire station. David Potts is an experienced consultant at the firm, with expertise spanning residential and commercial property disputes, as well as agricultural matters. Associate Kirsty Black handles work for a range of clients. She recently acted for Wilkinson Hardware Stores in a matter concerning interruption to car parking facilities at a retail store.

This group serves a stellar client base, including Allianz, BAA and Fortnum & Mason. The firm recently acted for E.ON in its defence of a claim for damages for trespass. 

Client Service "They have an outstanding and ingrained commitment to delivering worthwhile results."

Commercial Awareness "Alicia Foo is very good at providing commercially minded strategic thinking for the business."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alicia Foo heads the group, and she has advised L&R on property issues arising from its extensive network of hotels, offices and shopping centres. Sources praise her commercial approach to matters.

This group offers advice on lease disputes for clients spanning the retail, banking, professional services and education sectors. Major clients of the firm include Ernst & Young, the West Midlands Police Authority and the School of Oriental & African Studies. On 1st December 2011, Martineau merged with Sprecher Grier Halberstam to form SGH Martineau LLP.

Client Service "They have always provided timely, commercial and to-the-point advice which is exactly what we have needed."

Commercial Awareness "Martin Edwards has a very good commercial grasp of the issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head Martin Edwards is considered to be "excellent and exceptionally hard-working." His colleague Michael Lawrence has handled a number of instructions concerning the education sector.

Despite the recent departure of Darren Clegg to Bridgehouse Partners, Shoosmiths retains a strong real estate litigation practice spanning its Birmingham and Nottingham offices. The firm serves an enviable list of retail and leisure clients, including Alliance Boots, HMV Group and Marston's.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Birmingham-based Nicholas Shepherd is the firm's national head of real estate litigation. Guy Willetts leads the team in Nottingham. He recently advised key client WHSmith on a dispute concerning the lease renewal of a shop premises in Bridgend.

Clarke Willmott acts for a range of retailers and landholders on disputes concerning landlord and tenant agreements, management and repairs. The firm's main clients include Bruton Knowles County Estate Management, Craigard Properties and Metropolitan Property Management.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Highly experienced property litigation specialist Paul Knight heads the team. Associate Anna Albini ably supports Knight on a range of cases.

This Birmingham firm is known for its handling of property disputes for public sector clients, housing associations and charities. Recently the team represented Midland Heart in a dispute arising from a possession case against a shared owner. Other clients include the Luminus Group and the South Liverpool Housing Association.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Hilary Harrison heads the commercial property litigation group at the firm. Clients say that she "combines those rare attributes of clarity, openness and subtle humour when dealing with matters of some complexity and of high importance to the client organisation."

This group has recently handled a significant volume of dilapidations claims, as well as disputes over the exercise of break rights. The firm's clients include Nottinghamshire County Council, the British School of Motoring and Experian.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nick Mullen heads the real estate litigation practice at the firm.

This Cradley Heath firm handles a range of property disputes for clients such as Calthorpe Estates, Port Vale FC and ThyssenKrupp. Clients appreciate the firm's "commercial and cost-effective" approach. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Coles heads the firm's property litigation group. Clients appreciate that "his advice is given with a commercial as well as legal perspective."

This firm handles disputes ranging across the full spectrum of property litigation. Its clients include both individual homeowners and corporate developers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Abrol leads the property litigation team at the firm.

This firm operates out of Leamington Spa, handling a range of work including landlord and tenant disputes, boundary disputes and dilapidations claims. Key clients include TUI Travel, Orbit Housing Group and JCDecaux.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jane Senior heads the property litigation group at the firm. She receives praise from clients for her commerciality.