Michael Buckpitt

Profile

Michael is a property/landlord and tenant specialist.  His practice is exclusively property or property-related, with a particular emphasis on residential and commercial landlord and tenant (including enfranchisement) and real property disputes.  Clients include some of the large London Estates, large developer clients and established housing associations as well as other commercial and individual clients.

Solicitor clients include City/West End firms with specialist property/landlord and tenant/enfranchisement departments and other niche property firms.

Experience

Michael has broad experience in property and landlord and tenant matters.  He often acts in 'high value' litigation particularly in respect of enfranchisement and real property matters.

Significant Cases

Recent reported cases include:

Zonzeo Limited v Persons unknown 23.1.09 and 28.1.09 Chancery list Central London County Court

Whilst not reported in the technical sense this case gained wide press coverage. It concerned the "Park Lane Squatters" occupying two adjoining mansion houses in Park Lane London worth several million pounds a piece. Instructed on the Friday, Michael immediately attended court and obtained an abridgement of time. The hearing took place the following Wednesday when an order was made. The high court sheriff (on Michael's advice) was lined up to evict and did so that afternoon. Obtaining actual possession of residential property within 6 days from start to finish was something of a first for Michael.  

Volosinovici v Corvan Properties Limited (Lands Tribunal) [2007] LTL

An appeal (where Michael did not appear below) concerning the jurisdiction of the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal to strike out a case for abuse of process 

Marine Court (St Leonards on sea) Freehold Limited v Rother District Investments County Court [2008] 2 EG 148

A case concerning whether or not a large building on the South Coast did not qualify for enfranchisement purposes by reason of the percentage of non-residential accommodation.  Although only at County Court level, this is the leading decision on this issue.

Recent Ongoing Cases:

With the changes in the economic climate whilst Michael continues to be instructed in enfranchisement matters, he has seen a noticeable increase in instructions in more traditional areas of work including disputes concerning sale contracts and dilapidations claims. Ongoing cases include:

Marine Court (St Leonard on Sea) Freehold Limited v Rother District Investments

Michael continues to be instructed by the landlord on this matter and is now dealing with the enfranchisement claim in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal.

Crest Nicholson South Ltd v Regional Investments Guildford Ltd Chancery Division High Court

This case is listed for trial in 2010 and conerns a contract for the sale of development land in Guildford. Michael is instructed by Crest, the claimant. The sums counterclaimed exceed £11 million. The case concerns the obligation to give vacant possession, rectification for mistake and the entitlement to rescind.

Parham Investment Limited v Muldale Limited

Michael is instructed on behalf of the Claimant in this forfeiture action concerning commercial premises in central London. The case is lsited for trial 2010. 

Publications

Contributor, Service Charges and Managment: Law & Practice 2nd edition (Sweet & Maxwell)

Contributor, Service Charges and Management; Law and Practice 1st Edition 2006 (Sweet & Maxwell)

Memberships

Member, Property Bar Association
Member, Chancery Bar Association

Qualifications

Directory Quotes

Michael is listed as a Leader in the field for real estate litigation in Chambers UK from 2004 to date.

'Michael Buckpitt is admired for identifying the crux of a case quickly, and remaining sensitive to client concerns'
Chambers UK 2010

'Extremely experienced'
Chambers UK 2009

'A good property barrister and a fantastic courtroom operator'
Chambers UK 2008

'Recommended for his strong cross examination skills'
Chambers UK 2007

'personable and very bright'
Chambers UK 2006

'Helpful and knowledgeable'
Chambers UK 2005

'A clever practitioner who rolls up his sleeves and gets on with the job'
Chambers UK 2004

Michael is listed as a leading junior for property litigation in The Legal 500 from 2006 to date.

'Intellectually robust'
Legal 500 2009

'The Daniel Craig of the property bar – bright, articulate, tough'
Legal 500 2007

'Hands on and down to earth'
Legal 500 2006

Michael is listed as an expert in property litigation in Legal Experts 2008, 2009 and 2010.