Highly regarded for its expertise across the finance, energy and automotive sectors, the Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP practice is described as ‘personable’ and ‘swift to respond’ when handling significant High Court cases and complex arbitrations. The team has considerable experience in assisting with breaches of section 106 planning agreements, Building Safety Act disputes and restrictive covenant claims. Leading the Birmingham-based department, David Feist focuses on the real estate investment space and city center regeneration schemes, while the ‘unflappable’ Lisa Barge specialises in high value rent review and dilapidation disputes. Rob Holloway is an expert on portfolio management matters, and Arren Thornton routinely acts for water undertakes and multinational banks.

Routinely advising on major litigation claims relating to rights of light, dilapidation disputes and breaches of land sale agreements, Gowling WLG demonstrates an ‘in depth knowledge’ on the whole spectrum of property litigation. With experience acting on behalf of multinational housebuilders, local authorities and distribution network operators, the West Midland’s offering is headed by Paul Barker, a specialist in complex retail and leisure property matters. Rob Bridgman is knowledgeable in landlord and tenant claims, whilst David Wigy focuses primarily on adverse possession cases and planning injunctions. The whole team is based out of Birmingham.

Counting global insurance companies, local councils and energy conglomerates amongst its key clients, the ‘exceptionally strong’ Pinsent Masons LLP practice has extensive experience in the courts at all levels, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The team displays a growing presence in the telecoms sector, regularly representing mobile and wireless infrastructure operators. The ‘superb’ Alicia Foo heads the Birmingham-based outfit. Foo is an expert in Electronic Communication Code matters, whilst Sarah Campey focuses on complex rights to light claims. Pierre Smith is knowledgeable on retail and leisure related claims, and Craig Downhill is also highlighted as key.

Strengthened by the arrival of the new practice head Vanessa Joll in May 2023, Shakespeare Martineau LLP deploys a ‘creative approach’ in tackling complex development disputes, contested 1954 Act claims and break notice issues. Based out of Birmingham, Martin Edwards brings vast expertise in the education, telecoms and energy sectors to the team, whilst the ‘legally excellent’ James Fownes is an expert on the contentious aspects of lease renewals and break clauses. Justine Ball acts on behalf of developers and corporate landlords, and Pia Eames is also noted as a key contact.

Consistently acting on big ticket litigation relating to dilapidations, contested breaks and rent arrears, the Birmingham-based Shoosmiths LLP team is hailed for its ‘speed of work and coordination’. Representing a diverse array of clients from across the property investment, retail and automotive spheres, the Midlands offering is headed by Kate McCall, who specialises in claims arising in the Appeal Courts and Upper Tribunals. Nick Shepherd leads the national practice, concentrating predominantly on rent reviews and development disputes, whilst Paul Knight frequently advises commercial developers and investors. Elinor Sandbach is an expert on landlord and tenant disputes, and Natalie Aldread is also highlighted as key.

Recommended for its ‘good, sound advice’, the Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP practice handles the gamut of property dispute issues, ranging from 1954 Act lease renewals, alienations to the enforcement of leasehold provisions. Helen Tucker and Philip Scully co-head the team, with the former specialising in health and safety compliance issues, whilst the latter is well-versed in acting for institutional landlords, retail clients and housing associations. Rebecca Semuuze is highlighted for her residential lease forfeiture work.

Demonstrating substantial expertise across the retail, public and health sectors, the team at Browne Jacobson LLP stands out for its handling of complex covenant obligations and COVID-19 arbitration schemes. Heading the Birmingham offering, James Coles brings vast insight into dilapidations and service charge disputes to the practice, and Hannah Parry constantly represents government departments, investor landlords and HNW individuals. Katie Briggs is knowledgeable in landlord and tenant claims, whilst Emma Stafford focuses primarily on rent review cases.

Labelled as ‘responsive, knowledgeable, and pragmatic’, the Bevan Brittan LLP practice is highly regarded for advising public sector organisations from across the health, local government and social housing sectors. Based out of Bristol, Steven Eccles heads the team, whilst Birmingham-based Mark Robertson is an expert in rights of light claims and property-related telecoms disputes, and Raman Thandi-Bal is knowledgeable on the Building Safety Act.

Specialising in landlord and tenant disputes, rights of way claims and contentious residential work, Mills & Reeve LLP has extensive expertise in the education, business rates and healthcare industries. The firm acts on behalf of investors, strategic landowners and major corporates, with Henry Mahalski heading the Birmingham-based practice, whilst Laura Woodward focuses on uncontested lease renewals and dilapidations.

Characterised for its ‘prompt and pragmatic advice’, Squire Patton Boggs specialises in handling dilapidations, rent arrear matters and covenant interpretations, on behalf of housebuilders and multinational corporations. Michelle Adams leads the West Midlands offering, bringing expertise in lease renewals, rent reviews and breaches of covenants to the practice. Mobeen Amin advises on all aspects of commercial property disputes, whilst Stephanie Hadley focuses on forfeitures and easements.

Providing insight on the gamut of property-based litigation, spanning from commercial landlord and tenant possession cases to contested break clause disputes, the Coventry-based Band Hatton Button LLP team is hailed for its ‘practical and thorough’ approach. John French heads the West Midlands offering, specialising in boundary disputes. Jon Wilby regularly represents clients in the charity, education and healthcare sectors, whilst Malcolm Thomas focuses on restrictive covenants.

Headed by Petra Billing, the DLA Piper team demonstrates strong cross-sector expertise, primarily focusing on the retail, healthcare and financial services industries. Billing is an expert in development and commercial landlord disputes, Rob Shaw is knowledgeable in the infrastructure space, and Samuel Lane stands out for his work on adverse possession claims and protest actions.

Representing a variety of developers, housebuilders and landlords, the Lodders Solicitors LLP team is ‘completely professional’ when advising on easements, forfeitures of leases and proprietary estoppel disputes. Heading the Stratford upon Avon-based practice, Victoria Khandker specialises in contractual property matters and commercial tenant claims, Kyle Wyness is an expert on dilapidations and boundary disputes, whilst both Mary Rouse and Ellie Crofts are also highlighted as key.

Consistently advising private clients, landlords and bridging lenders, Sydney Mitchell LLP stands out for its knowledge on service charge arrears, enforcement of restrictive covenants and ownership disputes. With the team being based out of Birmingham, Leanne Schneider-Rose leads, bringing in-depth expertise in contentious insolvency cases to the practice, whilst Ian Sheppard focuses on dilapidation claims and lease renewals.

Splitting his time between the Birmingham and Solihull offices, Kevin Lynch heads The Wilkes Partnership property litigation team, bringing in-depth expertise in disrepair claims, real estate-based telecoms litigation and tenant insolvency claims to the outfit. Meanwhile, from Birmingham, Harriet Critchley primarily focuses on business lease renewals, contested break notices and complex rent reviews.

Boasting an established client base comprising developers, public sector bodies and management companies, Trowers & Hamlins LLP is highly regarded for its work on lease renewals, rights of light claims and building regulation defects. Based in Birmingham, Michael Green leads the group, specialising in lease terminations and regeneration projects. Guy Willetts has experience in representing NHS and health sector clients. Neerali Madhvani and Cynyr Rhys are also highlighted as key contacts.