Our Expertise

Development disputes

When disputes arise on development projects we work with clients to devise strategies that will best achieve their aims, whether that is removing any legal barriers to the development or obtaining damages for losses suffered. We act for national housebuilder companies, commercial developers and private individual developers and are experienced in resolving all manner of disputes that arise in the course of developments, in particular rights of light, rights of way, party walls, restrictive covenants, overage disputes and land options.

Telecoms

We act for landowners in advising them on their rights of the telecoms operators under the Electronic Communication Code to place and retain apparatus on their land in the landlord and tenant context. Our advice has included consideration of commercial agreements concerning the siting of masts and exclusion of the operators code powers and in serving the relevant notices and negotiating with the operators and bringing court proceedings in order to obtain vacant possession, mainly in circumstances where the landlord is seeking to redevelop the land.

Rating

We act for landowners in advising them on their rights of the telecoms operators under the Electronic Communication Code to place and retain apparatus on their land in the landlord and tenant context. Our advice has included consideration of commercial agreements concerning the siting of masts and exclusion of the operators code powers and in serving the relevant notices and negotiating with the operators and bringing court proceedings in order to obtain vacant possession, mainly in circumstances where the landlord is seeking to redevelop the land.

Professional Negligence

We are specialists in pursuing claims against property professionals where clients suffer loss as a result of incorrect professional advice. We regularly act in claims against surveyors, architects and other firms of solicitors where we can utilise specialist experience in both the property sector and the law relating to professional negligence.

Water and Drainage Claims

We act mainly for developers and utilities companies in relation to the acquisition of or protection of water and drainage rights, foul and storm water, including advice under the Water Industry Act 1991 (and its preceding legislation). We also provide advice in connection with appropriate agreements regulating these sorts of rights, and also deal with claims to rights arising through long use (by prescription). We also represent clients in Injunction claims to protect rights or prevent their infringement, and assist in negotiating damages awards if appropriate, for example to vary, relocate or release the right entirely.

Landlord and Tenant - Commercial Premises

We advise landlords and tenants of commercial premises on a full range of contentious issues arising from their leases, including consents to assign, sub-let and alter, the operation of break clauses, forfeiture, rent review, dilapidation claims (both during the term and on termination of the lease), service charge liability, business lease renewals, rent and service charge arrears and rights and liabilities arising from tenant insolvency. We aim to resolve disputes through agreement wherever possible. When negotiations fail we take firm and confident action to resolve a dispute in a more combative environment.

Landlord and Tenant - Residential Premises

We act for landlords and leaseholders in dealing with all aspects of residential property disputes including possession actions, advising on the duties of landlords and leaseholders, leasehold enfranchisement, management issues including the right of leaseholders to manage their premises, service charge disputes, the right of first refusal and the right to buy. If possible, we try and resolve disputes through agreement but we do advise on the procedure and act for parties in bringing and defending claims at Court and at the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.