how we helped our clients

Here are some case studies that illustrate the best examples of what we have achieved for our clients:

Somerfield

We act for Somerfield; for whom we provide substantial amounts of property litigation advice arising out of their portfolio management. Case highlights include:

acting in a rent review arbitration concerning a large vacant warehouse in West London which was surplus to their requirements and proving difficult to assign. The landlord was seeking a substantial rental increase which was not justified. By taking the case to a third party we were able to secure a rent which was over 60k per annum less than the landlord's proposal, and by virtue of a well judged calderbank offer we were able to recover the majority of the costs.

acting in business lease renewal proceedings in Soho where the landlord, Westminster City Council was seeking a break clause to facilitate a multi million pound redevelopment scheme. We successfully negotiated a settlement following mediation which involved pushing the break clause back by several years and achieved a number of other benefits which would not have been available at trial.

acting in various service charge disputes and dilapidations claims and saving Somerfield substantial sums.

Major Fast Food Chain

We are appointed as the sole property and property litigation lawyers for a major fast food chain in respect of its English properties. We provide strategic advice on their property portfolio. Specific case highlights include advice on several claims concerning and then following the high profile liquidation of Southern Cross Group plc, successfully recovering rent from sub tenants and recovering control of key premises.

European Gaming Business

We act for a leading European gaming business in respect of some of their more complex property related disputes. Recent highlights include a complicated dispute relating to a defective floor slab and car park at a nightclub and casino complex caused by heave due to the expansion of defective slag. The cost of the works and possible consequential losses had the potential to run into multi million pounds. The case was settled avoiding a costly trial by agreeing to the completion of certain works forthwith and the extension of warranties and indemnities.

Park Resorts

We act for Park Resorts, one of the largest Holiday Park operators in the UK. We advise on many aspects of their property portfolio. Recent cases and advice of significance include making submissions on their behalf and liaising with the DTI in respect of the appropriate Licence conditions for the caravan and holiday park industry, and taking successfully to trial the complex issue of when a residential caravan and mobile home ceases to become "mobile" and ceases to be a chattel and so potentially the occupier becomes protected by the Rent Acts. We successfully obtained a detailed judgement providing that 4 caravans on one of our client's parks had not ceased to be mobile and so possession orders were obtained enabling the redevelopment of the site.

Las Iguanas