Birketts LLP exhibits ‘a high level of legal knowledge and the ability to focus and use time effectively’. Ipswich is home to the core of the team, including practice head Richard Eaton who is ‘well-seasoned with a pragmatic edge’. In Ipswich, James Robinson is the firm’s key adviser on telecoms litigation, acting for landowners across England and Wales, including local authorities, housing associations, NHS Trusts, and pension funds. The ‘knowledgeable and proactive’ Alice Harris is the main contact for the firm’s highly regarded residential lettings practice. Laura Tanguay leads the home ownership disputes practice, supported by Cambridge-based Stephanie Butler, who specialises in TOLATA claims. Also in Cambridge, Lynsey Ellard handles high-value commercial property disputes for major property investors and corporate occupiers.

Howes Percival LLP is known for ‘strong, practical advisory skills’ in contentious property matters. Jamie Kidd in Norwich, who has vast experience in rent review and dilapidation claims, development and joint venture disputes, and the property aspects of insolvencies, co-leads the practice with Cambridge-based Simon Murphy, who handles a broad range of claims concerning residential, commercial and agricultural property. Both have a particular interest in overage, rights of light, rights of way, adverse possession and enfranchisement matters. ‘Clear industry expert’ Leanne Davis in Cambridge specialises in commercial landlord and tenant disputes, and is recommended for her ‘practical, calm, personable approach’.

Mills & Reeve LLP is ‘commercial and practical, with superb legal know-how’. The property litigation practice is part of a full-service national real estate group that handles substantial and high-profile national and international property projects. The practice is led from Cambridge by the ‘ highly accomplished’ Richard New, who is a leading expert in business rates. In the same office, the ‘truly exceptional’ Samuel Maw frequently acts for government bodies, landlords and tenants in commercial and residential matters. In Norwich, James Hordern is recognised as a leading expert on agricultural law and ‘a great man to have in your corner’, while Chris Brand is heavily involved in telecoms litigation, and Julian Steed excels in trespass, nuisance, restrictive covenants, and rights of way disputes.

At Ashtons Legal, ‘the team is absolutely first-rate and comes highly recommended’. The lead practitioner is the ‘honest, fair and reasonable’ Kirsteen Durrant in Cambridge, whose expertise spans commercial lease disputes, breach of covenant issues, rent arrears, business interruptions, 1954 Act renewals and terminations, forfeitures, and much more. Also in Cambridge, Michael Frape handles high-value commercial disputes including commercial and development property matters in the retail and leisure industries. Annabel Mayer in Bury St Edmunds adds extensive experience in complex residential landlord and tenant disputes, and also disputes concerning boundaries, adverse possession, prescriptive rights and nuisance claims.

Greene & Greene in Bury St Edmunds calls on a vastly experienced litigation group to handle increasingly complex and high-value property disputes. The standout name is Michael Batty, who is ‘knowledgeable, smart, client-focused, resourceful, efficient, and great to work with’. His recent caseload includes numerous commercial landlord and tenant instructions for disrepair, dilapidations, possession, and rent review, as well as a successful objection to an application for title based upon adverse possession. Practice head Rob Adam, construction specialist Sarah Western and landlord and tenant specialist Bee Belby are also key team members.

The property litigation group at HCR Hewitsons is ‘very personable and takes great interest in building effective relationships’. The firm-wide practice is led from Cheltenham by Andrew Walker, and the Cambridge office is home to a highly proficient and experienced core team, in which Natalie Minott stands out as ‘an exceptional lawyer – technically excellent, responsive, level-headed and professional’. As well as assisting developers with matter concerning rights over land, she also supports portfolio investors, commercial tenants, and rural landowners. She is supported by Kate Church, who has particular expertise working for developers and addressing complex freehold title and covenant issues, and Georgia Dinallo, who frequently assists portfolio retail tenants in relation to 1954 Act lease renewals.

Buckles Solicitors LLP has a strong track record in commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes, including everything from the termination of tenancies to break notice disputes and dilapidation claims. Practice head Alex Payne is predominantly based in Bristol, but he also works from the Peterborough office to oversee the work of the firm-wide team, which includes experienced litigator Nick Porter, who handles insolvency-related property matters.

From its Norwich office, Fosters provides property litigation advice to clients across Norfolk, covering boundary issues, landlord and tenant disputes, commercial property cases, and matters concerning leaseholds, trusts, and  professional negligence in property transactions. Head of litigation Chris Fielding is the main point of contact, and new arrival Simon Loome from Isadores adds his extensive experience in commercial litigation to the practice.

In its Wisbech office, Fraser Dawbarns' practice benefits from the expertise of David Moulton, who works under the supervision of head of dispute resolution Neil John. Moulton’s work encompasses contentious matters concerning evictions, rent arrears, allotments and property boundaries, acting for a growing commercial client base, which includes numerous local authorities and residential landlords.

The team at Hunt & Coombs LLP in Peterborough is praised for its ‘warm and approachable manner’. Newly promoted partner Rebecca Beynon-Phillips leads the practice, and clients note that she is ‘sensible, realistic, and in tune with desired outcomes’. Her work includes complex cases in the County Court, High Court and Property Tribunal. The ‘professional, knowledgeable and helpful’ Luke Edwards and St Neots-based Norman Hunter-Goulder also handle contentious property matters as part of their broader litigation practices.

Prettys Solicitors LLP ‘stands out for its deep expertise, offering a highly strategic and client-focused approach’. Under the supervision of the head of the dispute resolution practice Peter Blake, the team handles a growing caseload of matters concerning commercial, construction and agricultural property developments, as well as private dwellings. Graham Mead, who has ‘great knowledge and is a great communicator’, has a well-established property litigation practice, and works closely with Michael Booth, whose focus is on landlord and tenant disputes, including disrepair and eviction matters.