Standing out for its ‘breadth of knowledge and skills’, the real estate disputes group at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP offers expertise across a broad spectrum of complex contentious property matters. Combining a wealth of disputes experience with ‘a realistic sense of commercial imperatives’, David Haines leads the team. Haines acts for property developers, owners, and operators on commercial landlord and tenant matters, dilapidations claims, and property-related professional negligence disputes. Richard Flenley is a ‘complete whizz’ in litigation concerning landed estates and the energy sector, complementing this with a particular specialism in emerging issues concerning the Building Safety Act. Peter Levaggi is a further expert in contentious landlord and tenant work.

The property dispute resolution team at Cripps is noted for its ‘market-leading technical advice’ in the residential and commercial sectors. A seasoned litigator, Nitej Davda heads up the team and acts for property leaseholders, investors, and owners on high-value commercial landlord and tenant disputes and complex Building Safety Act issues. The ‘exceptional’ Mike Scott brings longstanding experience across real estate disputes and assists particularly on major rights to light and rights of way disputes. Richard Housley stands out for his ‘excellent, commercial advice’ and represents leading multinational property investors and high-net-worth tenants on rent reviews, lease renewals, tenancy breaches, and dilapidations claims. Gail Morris is a further key contact, most notably on overage disputes and adverse possession claims.

The real estate dispute resolution practice at DMH Stallard LLP stands out for its ‘knowledgeable, proactive’ advice. The team is headed up by the ‘experienced, efficient’ Emily Wood, who acts for property investors, local authorities, commercial tenants, and private landlords on complex breach of covenant, vacant possession, and business rates claims. James Picknell represents major commercial landlords and tenants in covenant disputes, navigating lease exit strategies, and dilapidation claims. Further experts include Tina George, a specialist in lease extensions and enfranchisement; Graham Halsall, who acts for commercial developers and local authorities on land disputes concerning access issues and recovering possession; and Cheraine Williams, who focuses her practice on landlord and tenant issues including dilapidations, lease renewals, and vacant possession issues.

The ‘responsive, client-centric and commercially focused’ real estate litigation team at Freeths LLP demonstrates a deep focus on the leisure and agricultural sectors. An ‘experienced litigator with a depth of expertise’, Clare Bellis heads up the team and leads on dilapidation, easement, possession, nuisance, and rent arrears claims concerning commercial, educational, and agricultural property. Demonstrating ‘great insight and problem-solving skills’, Mark Brown is a key contact within the leisure sector and represents developers, landlords, and tenants in contentious lease renewal proceedings and dilapidations and possession claims. Adam Boyd is ‘an expert in his field’ and is highly sought after for his advice on contract, construction, and development disputes.

Acclaimed for its ‘highly client-focused and very commercial’ perspective, Moore Barlow’s real estate litigation practice is particularly sought after for complex and pioneering property disputes. Standing out for her ‘exceptional’ expertise and ‘strategic approach’, Anna Iceton co-heads the team and specialises in development disputes, including dilapidations claims, telecommunications code proceedings, and option and promotion agreement breaches. Combining an ‘excellent legal mind’ with commercial acumen, Susannah Marsh also co-leads the practice and represents major lenders and mortgage providers in high-value and complex disputes concerning legal and equitable charges, mortgage agreements, and residential and commercial possession. An ‘intuitive and skilful litigator’, Chris Marsden assists property developers and investors across rights of way, rights of access, and lease termination issues.

The ‘experienced and diligent’ real estate disputes practice at Stevens & Bolton LLP is highly sought-after among developers, investors, landlords, and corporate occupiers for landlord and tenant, property development, and insolvency matters. Helen Wheddon heads up the team and acts for occupiers, investors, and developers across the full spectrum of property disputes, focusing particularly on possessions, easements, and lease renewals and forfeiture issues. With ‘excellent technical knowledge’, Caroline DeLaney is a notable expert on development disputes and is a key authority on rights of light claims. Markus Klempa has longstanding experience in disputes concerning lease renewals and break options, restrictive covenant breaches, and insolvencies.

Blake Morgan LLP’s property litigation practice acts for major local, national, and multinational clients across the retail, housing, and telecoms sectors. Heading up the team, Zoe Wright is a leading authority on planning and development disputes, vacant possession work, and commercial lease issues concerning residential and commercial property. Alongside particular expertise in the telecoms space, Simon Pestell is a specialist adviser to leading retail and leisure clients on commercial landlord and tenant matters. Leading the firm’s residential property litigation offering, Thomas Djan-Krofa acts for social housing providers, local authorities, and commercial and residential tenants on all aspects of property litigation.

Regularly instructed on high-value disputes, Brachers (Part of Lawfront)’s property litigation team combines ‘strong client care and technical knowledge’ in its advice to public bodies, charities, and residential landowners. James Millis acts for commercial, retail, health and care, and education sector clients across commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters, land ownership and rights disputes, and contentious development issues. Particularly sought-after among residential landowners, Stephen Rogers is a key contact on covenant enforcement and possession issues. Noted for his ‘strategic nous’, commercial litigation specialist Michael Oatham leads the team.

Counting established domestic and multinational retail and residential sector players among its clients, Foot Anstey is regularly sought-after for high-value property disputes. Kate New leads the real estate disputes team and is a notable contact among major institutional landlords, corporate occupiers, and property developers. New serves as an expert on planning and development disputes, landlord and tenant issues, and easement cases. A further key contact for advice to domestic and international residential property developers, Helen Dickie brings a wealth of expertise in landlord and tenant and residential development issues. Simon Beetham is also a key name to note.

The ‘efficient, commercial’ real estate litigation department at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is highly sought-after on commercial and residential property management matters. With ‘a wealth of experience and wide knowledge’ in the property space, John Morrison heads up the team and is a particular expert in contentious lease renewals and exits and dilapidations claims. Amy Evans represents commercial and residential landlords on possessions, dilapidations, and debt recovery matters. Sara Davies, who arrived in June 2024 from Blaser Mills Law, is an expert on Landlord and Tenant Act matters and dilapidations issues.

Shoosmiths LLP stands out for its ‘very clear and precise advice’ on contentious matters impacting residential and commercial property portfolios. Acclaimed for his ‘unrivalled’ knowledge and ‘extremely pragmatic’ approach, Simon Foster heads up the firm’s real estate litigation team in the south. Offering a particular focus on residential development matters, Foster acts for leading domestic housebuilders on Land Registry matters, development disputes, and property-related professional negligence issues. Foster also represents corporate occupiers, investors, and high-net-worth individuals across lease renewals, breaches of covenant, dilapidations, trespass claims, and possession issues.

The ‘specialist and knowledgeable’ real estate disputes practice at Thomson Snell & Passmore is highly sought-after on contentious portfolio management matters. Mark Steggles, who leads the team, advises commercial landlords, property lenders, and insolvency professionals on possession issues, dilapidations, Land Registry mandates, and insolvency matters. Alison Sparks is a key contact for commercial landlord and tenant matters, lease renewals, Land Registry issues, and dilapidations and possession claims. James Parratt focuses his practice on insolvency issues as well as portfolio management matters including dilapidations claims and vacant possession work.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is a key contact among retail and financial sector landlords and tenants, public sector landowners, and energy and infrastructure operators on high-value contentious property matters. The ‘technically excellent and pragmatic’ Mark Barley heads up the property disputes team and is a leading authority on commercial lease matters including contested lease renewals, rent arrears, possession claims, and covenant breaches. Vicki Young represents commercial landlords and tenants, public authorities, and property lenders regarding disputed agreements for sale, lease renewals and exit strategies, rent arrears claims, and possession claims.

The property disputes practice at B P Collins LLP stands out for its ‘clear advice’ and ‘realistic approach to litigation’. Elliott Brookes heads up the team and acts for corporate occupiers, landlords, and individuals across boundary disputes, covenant breaches, and rent arrears and dilapidations claims. The ‘conscientious and knowledgeable’ Manjot Dhillon represents clients in trusts of land disputes, possession matters, rent arrears claims, dilapidations liability, and lease exit strategies. Shauna Everitt is a notable authority on boundary and easement disputes.

Boyes Turner is acclaimed by clients for its ‘high-quality advice’, particularly on residential property litigation mandates. The ‘hugely experienced’ Gary Parkinson joined in December 2024 to head up the real estate litigation team and is an expert in lease renewals, rent arrears claims, and vacant possession losses. Russell May is highly sought-after for his ‘pragmatic advice’, particularly on complex boundary disputes, adverse possessions, and dilapidations claims. Noted for his ‘sensible, practical, conscious advice’, Richard Pulford specialises in possession and disrepair claims.

Able to ‘master’ a diverse range of property disputes, Dean Wilson LLP is highly sought-after in the estate and letting agency sector. An expert in commercial-focused property litigation matters, Duncan Wilks heads up the team; Wilks acts for landlords and insolvency professionals regarding possession proceedings, dilapidations claims, and nuisance issues. Combining ‘deep legal expertise with a commercially astute approach’, Gabrielle Moffatt acts for landlords and managing agents on lease variations and renewals, dilapidations claims, and fire safety issues.

Gardner Leader LLP fields an ‘extremely commercial, forward-thinking’ property litigation practice. Michelle Di Gioia heads up the team and, alongside a notable niche in mortgage repossession claims, is sought-after across trespass, rights of way, dilapidation, and possession issues. Noted for his ‘common-sense approach’, Andrew Shipp is a key contact on TOLATA claims and is elsewhere entrusted on disputes concerning rights of way and access. Daniel Smith is a specialist in complex boundary disputes and vacant possession matters. Alex Tigwell left the firm.

A ‘dynamic’ and specialist litigation firm, Helix Law is a key port of call for investors and shareholders on property investment disputes. Alex Cook and Laura Albon lead the property litigation team: Cook is a ‘well-seasoned litigator’ and ‘excellent tactician’, standing out for his advice on property-focused commercial litigation, breaches of contract and covenants, and professional negligence issues, while Albon has ‘an excellent understanding of property law’ and regularly advises property investors on vacant possession, rights of way, and breach of contract issues.

Acclaimed by clients for working ‘efficiently, effectively, and professionally’, Machins Solicitors LLP is highly sought-after among local clients on complex property disputes. As a ‘hands-on, results-focused’ litigator, Holly Baker is an expert across boundary disputes, vacant and adverse possession claims, restrictive covenant issues, injunctive relief, and trusts of land disputes. With longstanding litigation experience, Janice Young is a further key contact, particularly on rights of way issues and property-focused commercial disputes. The team is overseen by dispute resolution practice head Neil O’Callaghan.

Paris Smith LLP is highly sought-after for its ‘excellent communication skills’ and ‘outstanding knowledge’ across the full spectrum of property litigation matters, particularly in the retail, leisure, marine, and residential segments. The ‘thorough and exceptional’ Nicola Davies leads the property litigation team and represents clients across lease covenants, disrepair issues, boundary disputes, and lease forfeitures and renewals. David Eminton, who is a ‘trustworthy, honest’ specialist on landlord and tenant disputes, contested lease renewals, and high-value dilapidations claims, heads up the dispute resolution department.

Praised as a ‘responsive and knowledgeable’ practice, TWM Solicitors LLP is a key port of call for regional clients on contentious property mandates. David Hitchcock, who heads up the dispute resolution department, is ‘very experienced and commercially astute’, serving as a key contact on possession and trespass claims, beneficial interest matters, and debt recovery issues. A ‘hardworking and very professional litigator, Simon Burdett-Dixon is an expert across commercial lease renewals, boundary disputes, and easement issues. David Stockley leads the leasehold reform and collective enfranchisement team.

Boys & Maughan fields an ‘extremely hardworking’ team, which handles residential and commercial property disputes. The ‘very knowledgeable, responsive’ Andrew Baker heads up the team and specialises in property damage issues and ownership disputes. Richard Giles is a key contact for possession proceedings, professional negligence claims, and contentious contract issues, while Joana Daraskeviciute is a notable authority on disrepair claims and TOLATA cases.

The real estate disputes practice at Harrison Clark Rickerbys is regularly entrusted by regional commercial and residential clients on high-value and complex disputes. Standing out for her ‘wealth of experience, detail and knowledge’, Tahlia Woollatt heads up the team. Woollatt acts for corporate landlords, developers, and private landowners across lease renewals and exits, rent arrears claims, dilapidations proceedings, and fire safety issues.

Herrington Carmichael LLP offers ‘good and timely advice’ to notable regional developer, landowner, landlord, and lender clients. Bringing particular expertise in commercial disputes, Stephen Baker heads up the real estate litigation team and is highly sought-after on breach of trust, injunctive relief, and professional negligence claims. The ‘very talented’ Edward Jones possesses a ‘sound commercial approach’ and has expertise across ownership conflicts, debt enforcements, and breach of lease claims.

Mayo Wynne Baxter LLP offers extensive experience to commercial landlords and tenants, private individuals, and landowners on complex property disputes. Helen Bell heads up the team and has expertise across disrepair claims, boundary disputes, service charge liabilities, and professional negligence issues. Further experts include Paul Rooke, who regularly assists occupiers with landlord and tenant matters; Jo Ironside, who specialises in complex enfranchisement cases; and Marika Monaghan, who is a notable authority on boundary disputes, proprietary estoppel claims, and constructive trust matters.

The real estate litigation team at Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP is ‘knowledgeable, responsive, and client-focused’. Lorraine Lancaster, who stands out for her ‘strategic thinking’, heads up the team and is a notable authority on boundary disputes, defect and disrepair cases, and high-value debt enforcement cases. Lancaster also represents commercial occupiers on lease renewal matters. Hansel Ariburun has experience advising commercial and residential tenants on complex Landlord and Tenant Act cases.

Pinney Talfourd LLP maintains an ‘approachable and knowledgeable’ team for handling real estate disputes. The ‘outstanding’ Stephen Eccles leads the property litigation practice and has a diverse practice. Acting for private individuals, Eccles assists on lease forfeitures, possession proceedings, boundary disputes, and professional negligence matters. Eccles also represents estate beneficiaries and trustees in TOLATA disputes and landlord and tenant matters.

Thackray Williams LLP draws upon a broad team across the property litigation space. David Hacker is ‘very experienced and knowledgeable’, particularly on adverse possession and rights of access matters. Real estate practice head Vikki Herbert excels in collective enfranchisement and lease extension claims. Leasehold team head David Gibson acts for leasehold and freehold owners on lease extension claims and complex property management matters. Noted for his ‘practical’ advice, Andrew Raby is an expert on possession actions and service charge disputes.

The property litigation division at Trethowans LLP stands out for its ‘expertise and experience’ across diverse contentious real estate matters. Practice head Linden Talbot is a ‘total professional’ and acts for clients on land register cases, rights of way issues, restrictive covenants, dilapidations claims, lease renewals, and professional negligence issues. Sought-after for her ‘reasoned and balanced advice’, Louise James is a particular authority on dilapidations claims.

Warners Solicitors is highly sought-after for its ‘tailored, client-focused legal advice’, particularly concerning rural property and countryside disputes. Michael McNally leads the team and acts for landowners and country estates across possession claims, trespass issues, and rights of way disputes. Acclaimed for her ‘clear, concise, commercial’ advice, Justine Soutter, who arrived in August 2024 from Cripps, is a key contact for restrictive covenants and communications code mandates. Nick McKnight left the firm.