Real Estate Litigation: The South

This "renowned team" is known as "a strong and specialised group of property litigators." Cross London Rail Links continues to be a major client, with recent work including purchasing land for Crossrail's London tunnels and handling the related compensation claims. Other major names the team acts for include Barratt Homes, Berkeley Homes and Hastings Borough Council, and it has been advising new client First Title Insurance on defective title indemnity policy claims. The firm also offers a specialist landlord services department, which over the past year has worked for Kings Hill Residential Estate Management, Development Securities and Now! Lettings.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mike Scott is highlighted for the strength of his practice, which covers real estate property claims and landlord and tenant disputes. He has recently represented a major landowner in a £1 million disputed option agreement with a local council. Team head Carol Wakeford is equally well regarded for her work across the full range of real estate disputes, including insolvency, judicial review and planning litigation. Over the past year, she has been particularly active in Lands Tribunal compensation claims and compulsory purchase work on behalf of HS1.

Interviewees praise this group as "sensible and competent," adding that it offers "high-quality specialists" who are well placed to deal with sensitive situations. It handles general property litigation for big-name clients such as Costa, Kerry Foods and Stagecoach. It has also been developing its residential landlord and tenant offering.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Amanda Morris "maintains a clear focus and understands both the benefits and limitations of negotiations." In addition, interviewees add that "you are made to feel that you are the only client and that your interests are of paramount concern." She is especially well versed in landlord and tenant disputes.

This is a "good practice that understands the client's needs and way of thinking and can usually give an immediate response on a wide variety of issues." The Southampton team solely handles real estate litigation and it is regularly retained by major landholders such as The Crown Estate, Associated British Ports and the Church Commissioners. Specific highlights include representing B&Q in a significant rent review case before the High Court.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head Mark Barley offers decades of property litigation experience; he is able to advise on a comprehensive range of matters, including professional negligence claims against sector practitioners.  

This team provides "high-level and cost-effective advice." The Guildford office regularly works in conjunction with its colleagues in London and Cheltenham to advise on a comprehensive range of real estate disputes. Of late it has been acting for A1 Grand Prix Holdings in its attempted restructuring and subsequent litigation, as well as representing the freeholder in Charles Terrence Estates v Cornwall Council. Other clients include Siemens Financial Services, Warner Village and County Bailiff Company.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Solicitor advocate and department head Peter Levaggi is highlighted as "a real expert in his field, who grasps the issues from day one and provides strong commercial advice." David Haines is noted for his wide-ranging commercial property litigation practice, which particularly emphasises dilapidation claims, possession actions, compulsory purchase order work and leasehold enfranchisement.

Interviewees praise this well-known Gatwick team for its efficient handling of the gamut of contentious real estate. Tesco remains a major client and over the past year the team has provided extensive rent review advice, as well as handling contested lease renewal proceedings and portfolio management issues. Other corporate clients include RDF, Crest Nicholson and Countrywide Estate Agents; on the public sector side, it advises the University of Sussex, Brighton Housing Trust and City of Westminster.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Martin Allen is lauded for his expertise in the full range of contentious property matters on behalf of investors, developers, retailers, portfolio holders, public authorities, charities and institutions.

Interviewees comment favourably on this Bournemouth group's "efficient and non-stuffy service." It is regularly instructed by a range of significant developers, owners, occupiers, international plcs and national governments in work throughout the UK. It has been representing Marina Developments in a service charge dispute before the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. Other clients include Big Yellow Group, 3UK and Rockstone Securities.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jenny Hermer is "strong technically, very commercial in her approach and very responsive." Clients praise her ability to "maintain a calm and controlled manner whilst also holding her position and being ruthless where the situation warrants it." She leads the group and her entire practice is focused on property disputes.

This group leaves clients with "an extremely favourable impression; it maintains fantastic service levels and deals with everything in a timely and efficient manner whilst staying on budget." It offers expertise across all facets of real estate litigation, and of late it has been representing three owners of a block of central London flats and commercial premises in an application for relief from forfeiture. Alliance Boots, TM Lewin & Sons, Martin Grant Homes and Octagon Developments are a few of the firm's key clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Picknell provides "a reliable and accommodating service" that covers possession, dilapidation, rent review, lease renewals and neighbour disputes.

Clients recommend this as a "very reliable one-stop shop." It is particularly known for its work on dilapidations and over the last year has handled a number of very high-value matters, including acting for a charitable trust client in a dilapidations dispute. It has also been kept busy providing tactical lease advice. Its client roster includes Clydesdale Bank, Glanmore Property Fund and Brighton & Hove City Council. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Associate to watch David Barrett is an "extremely well-informed practitioner who has provided excellent advice." He leads the group's residential property dispute department and clients include the Freshwater Group.

This long-standing team has two offices in Kent and is particularly identified for its work in real estate disputes on behalf of private clients. It is also regularly retained by property businesses and over the past year has been advising Marley Pensions on its extensive portfolio. Other clients include Thanet District Council, Brake Bros, Bel UK and Dean & Wood.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Nick Horton focuses on real estate-related professional negligence and regulatory disputes, especially where they concern planning, compulsory purchase, environmental and health and safety law. Clients recognise senior associate Mark Steggles as "giving good support and providing excellent value." He mainly handles landlord and tenant disputes.

This six-lawyer team handles a varied caseload from its Lewes office. Private individuals make up the bulk of its client base and of late it has acted in numerous landlord and tenant disputes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Market sources highlight litigation chair Andrew Pawlik as "a dogged and personable practitioner," who is "very good at seeing the wood for the trees."

This Maidstone-based team covers the gamut of property and land law disputes, as well as regularly advising clients on contentious construction matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alexander Wilson is the first point of contact.

This group is based in Southampton and its ever-expanding client base has grown to include numerous companies facing lease renewals and dilapidation disputes. Recent work includes a land dispute on behalf of a national social housing client, an indemnity claim on behalf of a former private company director and a complicated lease renewal for a major tailor and outfitter company.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Byfield is highly respected for his expertise in property disputes; one interviewee comments that "there is nothing he does not know." In addition to landlord and tenant issues, he is regularly instructed in easements, rights of way, restrictive covenants, trespass and boundary matters. Louise James is particularly well versed in residential landlord and tenant matters and commercial rent recovery enforcement. 

Sources recognise this Canterbury-based team as "tenacious and willing to suggest new ways of trying to solve a problem." It recently handled a professional negligence action on behalf of United Trust Bank and represented White Horse Leisure Centres in a complex claim for the removal of a mobile home from a holiday park.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Hall is the main contact.

This Hampshire firm focuses exclusively on landlord and tenant issues and it is well placed to advise on the full range of matters, including tenancy creation and disputes, agency relationships, deposit deductions and disrepair claims.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Founder Marveen Smith is recognised as "an impressive figure in the residential landlord and tenant sector." 

Sources appreciate that this team offers "solid advice with added thoughtful ideas." Disputes it has been retained in over the last year include a residential possessions proceeding, a claim for misrepresentation and a Party Wall Act dispute. Clients include Montrose Court Holdings, Sussex Beach and the Pelham Group.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team leader Robert Twining is highlighted as "punchy, to-the-point and very accurate and efficient."