Property & Real Estate Barristers
Tanfield Chambers – Chambers UK 2016
30th October 2015
Tanfield Chambers was, once again, recognised by the Chambers and Partners UK directory for its work ranked at Band 3. The directory, recognising excellence within the legal sector, said:
“Tanfield Chambers has a strong focus on property law. It advises on issues in both the commercial and residential sectors, particularly in relation to landlord and tenant work and leasehold enfranchisement. The set is widely recognised for its expertise in insolvency-led work.”
Chambers UK Bar Guide 2016 also pointed out the excellent client service delivered “The clerking service is excellent. They’re fair, straight to the point and will always direct us to the people that deliver to us.”
Reflecting a particularly successful year across the board, Head of Chambers, Philip Rainey QC was raised to Band 1 Property Litigation – Leading Silks.
Kerry Bretherton also received an increased ranking in Court of Protection from Band 4 to Band 2.
Full results can be seen here.
Ranked Senior Barrister
Real Estate Litigation – London (Bar)
- Philip Rainey QC – Band 1
Ranked Junior Barristers
Social Housing – London (Bar)
- Kerry Bretherton – Band 1
- Rebecca Cattermole – Band 2
Court of Protection – All Circuits
- Kerry Bretherton – Band 2
Administrative & Public Law – London (Bar)
- Kerry Bretherton – Band 4
Licensing – London (Bar)
- Stephen Monkcom – Band 3
Family Matrimonial – London (Bar)
- Kerstin Boyd – Band 4
Real Estate Litigation – London (Bar)
- Christopher Heather – Band 2
- James Fieldsend – Band 2
- Michael Buckpitt – Band 3
- Nicola Muir – Band 3
- Timothy Polli – Band 3
- Andrew Butler – Band 4
- Daniel Dovar – Band 4
- Ellodie Gibbons – Band 4
- Nicholas Isaac – Band 4
- Carl Fain – Band 5
- Mark Loveday – Band 5
Leading silks
Philip Rainey QC – He is renowned among peers and clients for his expertise in leasehold enfranchisement matters. He represents high-value, complex matters across the field, including at arbitration.
Strengths: “He is very quick and bright, and a spectacular cross-examiner.” “He has a huge brain and is very bright. He tactically does a great job.”
Recent work: Led a case regarding the rights of squatters in relation to residential property.
James Fieldsend – Frequently conducts landlord and tenant litigation, with significant expertise in leasehold enfranchisement and service charge disputes. He has an enviable record at all levels of court, including the Supreme Court.
Strengths: “He’s responsive, pragmatic and knowledgeable.”
Recent work: Involved in the appeal concerning the claim to a new lease in Howard de Walden v Accordway and Kateb.
Christopher Heather – His practice involves all areas of real estate litigation. He is particularly well known in the market for his leasehold enfranchisement expertise, in addition to property matters in the context of professional negligence.
Strengths: “He is extremely nice outside court and extremely robust in court.” “He is excellent with clients because of his calm and assured manner. He is very responsive and great to work with.”
Recent work: Acted in a collective enfranchisement case which raised issues concerning the value of a development.
Michael Buckpitt – Advises on both real property and landlord and tenant disputes across the commercial and residential sectors. He has a significant focus on leasehold enfranchisement.
Recent work: Represented the claimant, Walsham Chalet Parks, in a dispute surrounding a joint venture agreement.
Nicola Muir – Often advises on land registration, service charge and enfranchisement cases. Her practice spans both the commercial and residential areas of landlord and tenant disputes.
Recent work: Successfully defended a possession claim for a commercial site on the basis of the termination of a tenancy at will.
Timothy Polli – Advises on a range of litigious property matters including where they intersect with the law pertaining to professional negligence. He frequently acts for institutional lenders.
Strengths: “He marries excellent expertise with real commercial acumen.” “He has a calm and relaxed style which inspires confidence.”
Recent work: Acted in a trial connected with mortgages, equitable interests and estoppel in the High Court on behalf of a bank client.
Andrew Butler – A property specialist who is known for his expertise in cases driven by professional negligence claims. Sources see him as an approachable and accessible practitioner.
Strengths: “He is very approachable and a delightful opponent.” “He has good technical knowledge matched by an ability to give practical advice.”
Recent work: Advised on an insurance claim that arose following a fire at a warehouse.
Daniel Dovar – Predominantly focuses on high-value cases in the sector, particularly those regarding real property, leaseholds, and landlord and tenant matters. He advises in the residential sector, and also handles matters concerning hotels and shopping centres.
Strengths: “He is user-friendly and a very good advocate.” “He is reasonable and knowledgeable, and he is a safe pair of hands.”
Recent work: Counselled the tenant representative of 467 other tenants on a claim to recover service charges following development works to residential accommodation in Paddington Basin.
Ellodie Gibbons – Focuses her practice on commercial and residential leases, including rights of first refusal, service and administration charges. Real property work is another area of focus.
Strengths: “She is focused and likeable.” “She is a formidable advocate.”
Recent work: Acted on an appeal which followed the First-tier Tribunal decision on a collective enfranchisement claim pursued by Merie Bin Mahfouz.
Nicholas Isaac – Well regarded by sources for his expertise in party wall matters. He also has extensive experience in easements and boundary disputes.
Strengths: “He is accessible, personable and efficient in the delivery of advice.” “He is an intelligent chap and an effective advocate.”
Recent work: Involved in the case of Patel v Peters which reached the Court of Appeal, in connection with an ex parte award.
Carl Fain – Advises in matters concerning both the commercial and residential real estate sectors. He is known for his contributions to texts covering the law relating to services charges.
Strengths: “He’s bright and he’s good in court.”
Recent work: Advised the respondents in a case which focused on reservations contained in a lease.
Mark Loveday – Has more than 20 years of experience in the real estate sector. His practice includes both residential and commercial property matters, and he has niche expertise in the area of enfranchisement.
Strengths: “He is very technically able in a complicated area of law.”
Recent work: Instructed in the case of Alamouti and Others v John Lyon’s Estate, which concerned freehold acquisitions and collective enfranchisements.
Social Housing
Kerry Bretherton – Covers the full range of social housing work. She has a strong Court of Appeal practice and has also appeared in the Supreme Court.
Strengths: “She fights hard for her clients and gives it her all.”
Recent work: Acted for the tenant in Haile v LB Waltham Forest, leading in both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Court of Protection
Frequently instructed in cases with an overlap between community care and the Court of Protection. She has experience of appearing at all levels and regularly handles appeal work.
Strengths: “She is extremely hard-working, dedicated and knowledgeable.” “She brings in experience from other fields and takes a sensible and forensic approach to Court of Protection work. She is very highly regarded.”
Administrative & Public Law
Head of the public and administrative law team at Tanfield Chambers. Her public law practice encompasses immigration, community care and EU law.
Strengths: “Ferociously tenacious, she has incredible judgement and is willing to take on difficult cases and battle on where others would give up.” “She is methodical, robust and a solid, safe pair of hands.”
Recent work: Represented a transsexual woman who sought a gender recognition certificate but was denied one because she will not divorce. The case concerned the circumstances under which EU directives are directly enforceable under UK law.
Rebecca Cattermole – An intelligent and persuasive advocate, particularly noted for her work and commentary on antisocial behaviour.
Strengths: “She has an immense knowledge and expertise. She’s thorough and will fight for you in court.”
Recent work: Acted for the landlord in the first case to challenge the general rule of recognition as it relates to service charge payers.
Stephen Monkcom – A gambling and licensing expert with long-standing experience of gaming and liquor matters. He is particularly sought after for his insightful advice.
Strengths: “He is the number one advocate for really knotty problems that need a perceptive analysis.” “He is a very clever chap and really knows his gambling law.”
Kerstin Boyd – Draws praise from peers for her ability to connect with her clients and absorb information quickly. She specialises in dealing with financial issues relating to matrimonial breakdown, including child maintenance claims and cohabitee disputes.
Strengths: “She excels in building a rapport with clients. Effective and assertive in the courtroom, she is excellent in financial remedy proceedings.” “A lovely person that people feel relaxed with.”
Expertise: Real Property, Social Housing, Court of Protection, Matrimonial Finance & Divorce, Administrative & Public, Gambling & Licensing