Addleshaw Goddard is reputed for the depth of its expertise in real estate disputes, where the group frequently advises on contentious matters arising from large-scale development projects, acting for a client base of institutional investors, developers and local councils as well as manufacturing, retail and transport sector clients. The firm is additionally well versed in insolvency cases, break options and vacant possession schemes and has experience in telecoms related disputes. The team is led by Julie Middlemass, who is noted for her experience in insolvency cases and company voluntary arrangements, often representing high-profile corporate occupiers. Other key names include Chris McGrath, who acts for public and private sector clients across the full range of contentious property matters; Emily Russell, who is praised by clients for her ‘good, practical advice on a professional negligence matter’; and Elizabeth Cape who stands out for her work with retail clients.

DLA Piper's property litigation practice acts for notable clients across the transport, infrastructure, consumer goods and retail sectors on lease terminations, dilapidation cases and the contentious elements of large real estate acquisitions. Particularly impressive is the firm’s expertise in protester injunctions, where the team, led by practice head Petra Billing, continues to act for National Highways Limited and HS2. Billing is also noted for her work on property and minerals litigation and is praised by clients for her ‘impressive strength and depth of experience’. Peter Gardner is well versed in complex dilapidations disputes and has expertise in disputes concerning the Pubs Code, while Rob Shaw, who was made partner in May 2024, regularly appears on telecoms and infrastructure-related mandates. Former practice head John Kittle retired in October 2023.

Property owners and occupiers, public bodies and service providers frequently turn to Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP for its team of ‘genuine experts in more niche and specialist areas’ of contentious property and real estate law. Practice head Andrew Todd advises on contentious development disputes and insolvency related matters; he particularly stands out for his expertise around the Building Safety Act 2022. Damian Hyndman is a key contact specialising in matters concerning the Equality Act 2010 and the Electronic Communications Code for property clients, while Alison Oldfield handles various protestor action cases. The team works with clients across the retail, transport, telecoms and education sectors.

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s ‘first-rate’ property dispute resolution team acts in residential landlord and tenant disputes and offers advice on dilapidations, covenant to repair cases and compulsory purchases. The firm, and in particular practice head Matthew Baker, is well known in the market for its expertise in the right to light space, where it acts for investors, developers and landowners. Supporting Baker in the team are Claire James, who is well versed in development constraints and the related disputes, James Lilley, whose recent work includes acting on a dilapidation claim before the High Court, and Nicola Charlton, who clients praise for her ‘legal knowledge and robust commercial approach’.

Shoosmiths LLP's broad expertise covers building safety matters, insolvency cases and advice on disputes arising out of residential development projects, including rights of light, easements and covenants. In this regard, the firm works with a plethora of commercial developer and investor clients, hotels and retailers. Richard Symonds heads up the Leeds-based team and works extensively with clients in the living and hotels sectors, while also specialising in the Building Safety Act 2022. Matthew Lonergan manages corporate occupiers’ property portfolios and handles any related contentious matters. Recent team changes include the departure of Michael Gaughan in August 2023, as well as the arrival of Thomas Freeman from Irwin Mitchell in January 2024.

Walker Morris LLP advises a broad client portfolio of retailers, property developers, public bodies and insurers on a varied range of real estate disputes, including contentious disposals and acquisitions. The practice is well regarded for its expertise related to the Building Safety Act 2022, where it continues to advise the Department for Levelling Up with regard to high-value remediation orders. The practice is jointly led by Martin McKeague and Karl Anders; the former covers landlord and tenant disputes and arbitration work, and the latter focuses on landlord and tenant matters. David Manda is a key member of the team and is well versed in contentious property insurance work.

Bevan Brittan LLP‘s property litigation practice ‘provides both strength and depth in the Leeds legal market’ with advice on loan repayments, dilapidations claims, development disputes as well as expertise in all facets of the Building Safety Act 2022. The team works with private sector clients but stands out for its work with public sector clients, among which are local authorities, enforcement bodies and social housing clients. The Leeds-based team is led by James Teagle, who excels in mortgage-related disputes. Alex Dunne bolsters the teams offering in terminal dilapidations claims, enforced sales of homes and residential leasehold law.

CMS‘ broad practice is well equipped to handle complex property disputes for a diverse range of clients, primarily commercial landlords with portfolios of office, retail, industrial and leisure properties. The firm is also recognised for its sector expertise in the logistics sector, where development projects and contentious aspects are handled by practice head Simone Ketchell, while Martin Garner has extensive experience in the Electronic Communications Code. The team is strengthened by Charlotte Green, who is well versed in dilapidations and boundaries disputes, and Sarah Pope, who acts in landlord and tenant disputes, as well as cladding-related matters under the Building Safety Act 2022.

The property litigation team at DAC Beachcroft LLP is capable of advising REITs, funds, developers and commercial occupiers on a wide range of property litigation matters, including lease renewals, debt recovery matters and dilapidation claims arising from development and regeneration projects. The team is widely recognised for its expertise in telecoms law and the Electronic Communications Code. Practice head Clare Hartley has strength in rent arrears, debt recovery issues and tenant management work, while also leading the telecoms team. Kai Ricciardiello is a key contact for telecoms and retail disputes.

Squire Patton Boggs' broad offering comprises advice on compulsory purchase agreements and land compensation claims, as well as acting for clients in injunctive proceedings concerning protestor and land access matters. The firm acts for major landowners and corporate organisations, but stands out for its work with clients in the energy and utilities sector. Leeds-based David Holland heads up the real estate litigation team nationally and is reputed for the depth of his expertise in land compensation matters. His work is supported by Bethany Casey and Kiera Beech.

The real estate litigation team at Blacks Solicitors LLP provides advice on a variety of contentious matters, acting frequently in complex dilapidation claims, contested break notices and lease renewal proceedings on behalf of both landlords and tenants. The team is well regarded for its expertise in the telecoms and energy sectors. Luke Maidens leads the team and is praised by clients, alongside Paul Sagar, who is ‘highly knowledgeable when it comes to telecommunications and the Electronic Communications Code’. Aimee Hutchinson is the key contact in the team for parks law advice.

The ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ property litigation team at Clarion is well equipped to handle high-value possession claims, secured lending disputes and covenant breaches, while working alongside the firm's banking and real estate teams to conduct mortgage enforcement proceedings and contentious telecoms matters. Sophie Morley leads the team and has extensive experience managing her client’s property portfolios and is increasingly involved in complex contentious property matters. Paige Duller excels at mortgage repossession work, while Lisa Stratford regularly works with banks to advise on insolvency matters. Recent additions to the team include the arrival of Kate Joss and Jessica Wagner from DWF in February 2023 and July 2023 respectively, and Emma Jones from Walker Morris LLP in January 2024.

Property litigation boutique Hagen Wolf houses a team of ‘true specialists’, who excel in complex and high-value dilapidations. The unit is additionally well regarded for its work in the transport sector, where it works for Stagecoach, Northern Trains and Abellio, among others. Founder Matt Pugh leads the team alongside Richard Robinson, with the former frequently working with high-net-worth individuals on property investments, and the latter standing out for his expertise in dilapidation claims and telecoms-related matters. Philip Copley is also a key team member, and the team was expanded further in 2023 with the arrival of Estella Prince from in July, Ayesha Sheikh in September and Dominic Titherington in November.

Irwin Mitchell‘s broad client base is made up of commercial and residential property investors and developers, retailers, corporate occupiers and manufacturers, and the team advises on a plethora of contentious property matters, including lease agreements, non-payment of rent and damages claims, boundary disputes and rights to light mandates. Leading the national real estate disputes team out of Sheffield is Danny Revitt, who has expertise in portfolio management issues, acting for commercial clients. James Walters is singled out by clients as a key contact and advises on public rights of way, lease renewals and break options. Thomas Freeman departed the firm in January 2024.

Schofield Sweeney stands out for its work with retail and residential clients on contentious real estate matters, where the firm regularly handles lease renewal and dilapidation mandates as well as compensation claims, termination notices and tenancy management matters. The team is also active in the telecoms space and assists waste and renewables clients, aiding with the contentious aspects of infrastructure development projects. Richard Jobes leads the team and advises some of the firm's stand out clients including Hermes and the Trafford Centre. Emily Ibberson and Hannah Cullen further strengthen the team.

The property disputes team at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP acts for a diverse range of public and private sector clients across the telecoms, energy and residential spaces. The practice handles contentious landlord and tenant disputes, including housing disrepair and dilapidation claims, tenancy management issues and lease renewals. Fiona Graham is the main contact in Leeds, and has experience covering complex development project-related disputes.

Local authorities, private landowners and investors rely on the expertise of Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP in the area of property litigation, with the team covering restrictive covenants, related professional negligence disputes and land possession claims. The firm also has a notable specialism working for port and dock operators. The team is co-led by Nick Dean, who has extensive experience advising on the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, and Stephen Kell, who advises on rights of way and general ownership issues.

Gosschalks' Hull-based property litigation practice has a notable specialism in advising retailers and leading pub companies regarding lease renewals, repossession claims and compulsory purchase agreements. The firm has also continued to work with telecoms companies and operators. The practice is jointly led by professional negligence lawyer Matthew Fletcher and Victoria Quinn, who both cover complex construction and commercial property disputes. Sarah Hamby is also a key name to note, and is well versed in residential property and agricultural tenancy disputes.

The ‘extremely competent’ property disputes team at LCF Law is adept at the full range of contentious landlord and tenant disputes, including easement and boundary disputes, repossession claims, rent arrears as well as dilapidation and lease renewal claims. The team is led out of Bradford by Ragan Montgomery, who frequently works for charities on the contentious aspects of portfolio management. Tom Edwards has a broad property litigation practice and is praised by clients as a ‘formidable lawyer of truly exceptional ability’.

Private investors, property developers, landed estates and charities, primarily in the sporting sector, are some of the clients that McCormicks regularly assists with property litigation advice. The team handles boundary disputes, rights of way claims, dilapidations claims as well as contentious agricultural tenancy related work. David Birks leads the practice and excels on property insolvency matters and is supported by Peter McCormick who covers contentious property matters for the firm's landmark sporting clients.

Raworths advises high-net-worth individuals and private landowners on adverse possession claims, right of way disputes and leaseholder obligations, often in relation to rural and agricultural land based in Yorkshire. Matthew Hill leads the practice from the firm's Harrogate base and assists a broad client base ranging from rural landowners to corporate clients and landed estates on contentious property disputes.

Tyr houses a ‘dynamic and forward thinking’ property litigation practice that offers advice on dilapidation claims, contentious lease renewals, possession claims and various contentious issues that fall under the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1954. Laura Salvati leads the team and works with clients such as Thomas the Baker and Persimmon. She is supported by Sallyanne Phillips, who covers estate management issues and possession claims.

Wake Smith Solicitors Limited assists manufacturers, private individuals and property investors on a variety of contentious possessions claims, alongside rent arrears and dilapidations disputes. The practice is led by Elizabeth Shaw, whose expertise includes advice on contentious break notices and rent arrears, acting on behalf of landlords. Other key contacts in the department are commercial litigator Michael Doherty and Sophie Kerry.

Weightmans frequently assists clients in the licensed and leisure sectors, advising national pub companies such as Greene King and Punch Pubs & Co on contentious lease renewals, rent recovery issues and possession claims. Leeds-based practice head Ben Mackenzie is well versed in the Market Rent Only option of the Pubs Code. He is supported by Reena Richards.