Property & Real Estate Barristers
Tanfield Chambers – Chambers UK 2019
1st November 2018
Tanfield Chambers have confirmed their position amongst the top property sets, being recognised by Chambers UK 2019 as a leading set for real estate litigation, ranked in Band 2.
The directory which ranks the top UK sets and barristers in their area of specialism has reported:
“A noted leader in the field, particularly for enfranchisement and residential property claims. Members have been involved in an impressive amount of cases taking place in the higher appellate courts. The set is able to take on a range of different property matters such as rights to light, party wall litigation and landlord and tenant cases. The barristers also have impressive experience in easements and boundary disputes, and the set is home to leading experts in areas such as service charge disputes. Their particular forte is residential work but members also display aptitude in commercial and agricultural disputes.”
They also highlighted the client service and senior practice managers, stating:
“The clerks are well organised, responsive and helpful.”
“They always strive to assist and have been fantastic on last-minute instructions.”
Full results can be found here or on the individual barrister profiles.
Real Estate Litigation
Ranked Senior Barristers
Continues to be regarded as one of the Bar’s finest property silks, and has an excellent reputation for his enfranchisement work. His practice is also centred around expert determination, fraud claims and easements. He serves as head of Tanfield Chambers. He is experienced in all manner of landlord and tenant matters and is an advocate for reform of the law in this area.
Strengths: “One of the leading barristers in this field. He is a supremely confident, smooth, incredible advocate and has incredible knowledge of all areas in property litigation.”
“Does not sit on the fence and gives excellent, pragmatic and assertive advice.”
Handles cases concerning easements, boundaries, industrial estates and restaurants, among others. He is especially noted for his professional negligence and enfranchisement work, and he frequently works with leading instructing solicitors.
Strengths: “Pragmatic, technically sound and extremely helpful and proactive.”
“Quick-thinking, to the point, good with clients, extremely commercial and mindful of costs.”
Recent work: Represented the tenant of a high-value Mayfair flat in proceedings to compel the landlord to reinstate electricity supply to the private lift and gas supplies to the flat.
A well-reputed real estate barrister who focuses on commercial and professional negligence disputes. He is noted for his work in property damage, service charge and joint venture claims. He also receives instruction as an arbitrator. He has considerable knowledge of company law in the field of real estate litigation.
Strengths: “He is extremely user-friendly and his tenacious and practical approach makes him a favourite with clients.”
“He can very quickly review a large amount of information and detail and provide practical and specialised advice, often at short notice.”
Recent work: Acted in a High Court dispute between neighbouring occupiers of agricultural land, addressing the question of whether restrictive covenants applied to land which had been sold and bought back between the parties.
Noted for his expertise spanning contract and commercial law, as well as his professional negligence work and his handling of development disputes. He also has a strong practice in matters relating to mortgage law and other securities over land. He is able to advise on rights to light and party wall issues.
Strengths: “He has excellent attention to detail and is extremely thorough in his preparation and research, while also providing practical and commercial advice.”
“Highly knowledgeable and has exacting standards both in court and in terms of his written work.”
Ranked Junior Barristers
Maintains a diverse commercial and residential property litigation practice. He has acted on multiple dilapidations cases, as well as contentious rent reviews and forfeitures. Recently, he has been instructed in several high-value residential leasehold enfranchisement and service charge matters, and he edits a textbook on the law surrounding the latter. Readers of The Timeswill recognise his weekly property law column.
Strengths: “Very good at reading the tribunal and witnesses.”
“An expert in enfranchisement and very user-friendly.”
Recent work: Acted in a series of high-value service charge claims against several members of the same family who own leases of flats on the Howard de Walden Estate.
A prominent property junior with a practice that focuses on landlord and tenant law. He is further noted for his dedication to leasehold enfranchisement and his close relationship with London Estates. Buckpitt represents developer clients in relation to commercial property matters. He is also known for his work in non-contentious matters with a focus on development sites.
Strengths: “Very solid, established performer, extremely thorough and particularly good on difficult details especially in enfranchisement matters.”
“Practical, user-friendly and a terrific cross-examiner.”
“Excellent on both the technical legal and the factual details of every case.”
Recent work: Acted for the Portman Estate in an appeal before the Upper Tribunal Lands Chamber, over the deduction of £1 million from the premium of a mews house in central London for so-called improvements.
An authority on the full range of issues arising in disputes involving party walls. He has authored an important legal textbook on the subject. His real estate practice also incorporates easement and boundary matters. He has recently appeared in the Court of Appeal.
Strengths: “A true specialist in the field of party walls and a confident and effective trial advocate.”
“He has a huge capacity for work and he’s able to assist even when under immense pressure on other matters.”
Recent work: Acted in a claim for declaration regarding the appropriate measure of loss where a property is damaged beyond economic repair by excavation works on an adjoining property.
Has a diverse commercial and residential property practice, specialising in contentious landlord and tenant matters. He is frequently sought out by clients for guidance on leasehold disputes, as well as conveyancing disputes and professional negligence matters. Dovar also has significant niche expertise in work relating to hotels and shopping centres.
Strengths: “He has particular expertise in commercial and residential property litigation as well as general landlord and tenant matters.”
“Exceptional both in terms of his advice and his advocacy.”
Offers pragmatic advice to his clients regarding service charge disputes and leasehold enfranchisement. He also handles matters relating to boundaries and easements. Fieldsend is a published author who is known for his work applying human rights conventions to property disputes. He has appeared in significant cases at the Court of Appeal.
Strengths: “Responsive, pragmatic and knowledgeable in respect of both commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters.”
“Unflustered and technically unrivalled – he’s an unsung hero.”
Recent work: Appeared before the Court of Appeal, representing the respondent leaseholder who took Sheffield City Council to court for failing to deduct sums it received under the Community Energy Savings Programme from its service charges. The case has significance for the methods by which local authorities may recover the cost of refurbishments.
Focuses her practice on residential and commercial landlord and tenant disputes, and has significant experience in the Court of Appeal. She is known for her work on leasehold enfranchisement and service charge cases.
Strengths: “Very client-friendly, commercial and pragmatic.”
“Approachable and gives really excellent, balanced and user-friendly advice.”
Recent work: Acted for the tenant in a service charge dispute over whether a management agreement was a Qualifying Long Term Agreement.
A widely respected property junior known for advising on commercial and residential landlord disputes. Her practice includes service and administration charge issues, right to manage cases and enfranchisement claims. She has co-authored a significant text on leasehold enfranchisement and regularly speaks at conferences on the topic.
Strengths: “Extremely helpful, commercial and knowledgeable on leasehold reform and property disputes.”
“She gives practical advice in a plain-speaking manner and has a well-deserved reputation in relation to enfranchisement.”
Garners praise for his user-friendly approach. He regularly handles cases involving easements, boundary disputes and property development. Glover has recently handled cases in both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Strengths: “He is a force to be reckoned with.”
“His strengths come from his underlying technical mastery of the legal framework.”
Recent work: Acted in a case where a Sheffield landowner applied for an injunction to stop building works at the largest Chinese-funded development site outside London, using the argument that oversailing cranes constituted trespass.
An established social housing junior with a growing reputation for residential and commercial real estate work. She is highly experienced in matters involving service charge disputes and dilapidations, and is very strong on the interrelationship of human rights with landlord and tenant law.
Strengths: “Approachable and responsive and goes above and beyond what is asked.”
“Commercial, practical and quick on her feet.”
Recent work: Advised on the removal of various business tenants in a large development which was due to be demolished.
A talented property barrister with expertise in business tenancy renewals, service charge disputes and dilapidation claims. His practice also takes in landlord and tenant matters, mortgage-related claims and property-related professional negligence cases. He is a noted expert on party wall issues.
Strengths: “Carl is pragmatic, incredibly user-friendly and has an excellent manner.”
“A tenacious advocate who gives practical advice.”
Recent work: Acted for the appellant in an appeal from an award concerning the erection of a party wall at a multi-storey commercial premises in Marylebone. The appellant was concerned that the award at first instance did not satisfactorily cover the risk of collapse due to inadequate wind and post ties, and the court ordered the respondent to carry out remedial measures.
Particularly recognised for her expertise in the field of service charges, Gourlay is regularly instructed by lessees on a public access basis. She also regularly handles the full range of landlord and tenant law matters, as well as those relating to trusts of land and co-ownership disputes.
Strengths: “Extremely able, conscientious, enthusiastic, and someone with excellent attention to detail.”
Recent work: Appeared before the Court of Appeal, representing the respondent leaseholder who had taken Sheffield City Council to court for failing to deduct sums received under the Community Energy Savings Programme from its service charges. The case has significance for the methods by which local authorities may recover the cost of refurbishments.
Acts for landlords, developers, local government bodies and large institutional lenders in a broad range of property-related cases. He regularly handles matters concerning development issues, agricultural land and commercial property, and often acts in urgent hearings concerning the repossession of land. He is a visiting lecturer in property law at King’s College London.
Strengths: “Commercially minded and great in his dealings with clients – he’s very personable and good at putting people at ease.”
“Easy to work with and gets straight to the point.”
Recent work: Represented the landlord in a complex dispute concerning over £1 million of arrears of service charges at a property on Park Lane.
A technical and creative junior who is known for his exceptional command of leasehold matters, and enfranchisement in particular.
Strengths: “Has academic credentials but is also very pragmatic and easy to deal with, and is efficient and commercial.”
“Extremely approachable, knowledgeable and quick on his feet.”
Recent work: Acted in a case which was leapfrogged to the Upper Tribunal and reached the Court of Appeal, concerning the interpretation of Section 1 of the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act.
Social Housing
Ranked Senior Barristers
Has a long-standing reputation for public law and real estate litigation, and regularly acts on behalf of social housing tenants and homeless applicants. She has significant experience of appearing before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, and has established a growing policy practice, which sees her advising central government on housing laws.
Strengths: “She’s a brilliant appeal advocate and an excellent housing lawyer. She really knows her stuff.”
Recent work: Appeared in the Court of Appeal in Leeds CC v Broadley, which involved the question of what constitutes a fixed-term tenancy and whether the local authority had to pursue the landlord or the tenant for council tax accrued after the former tenant ceased occupation.
Ranked Junior Barristers
A landlord and tenant specialist with an enviable understanding of the property aspects of social housing law, as well as anti-social behaviour and housing management issues. She has handled cases right up to the Supreme Court, and is further noted for her expertise in leasehold disputes.
Strengths: “A tenacious and knowledgeable counsel who is particularly good at complex cases involving Equality Act issues.”
“She is bright, thorough and extremely reliable.”
Regularly represents both tenants and landlords, including a variety of local authorities, housing associations and applicants. He acts in a wide range of social housing disputes, and has particular experience of appearing in judicial reviews. Market commentators consider him to be “very technically able,” while his considerable knowledge of immigration law complements his well thought-of practice. Madge-Wyld also has notable experience of handling service charge disputes.
Strengths: “He’s very approachable. He has a laid-back manner but also a quiet confidence which reassures the clients.”
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Ranked Junior Barristers
A well-known rights of way specialist with a rural focus to her practice. She regularly acts in town and village green applications for local authorities and landowners. Her clients also include agents, developers, estates and parish councils.
Strengths: “Very knowledgeable and particularly good on property access cases.”
Information Technology
Ranked Senior Barristers
Highly regarded for his expert handling of complex matters across the IT law spectrum. He has deep experience in such areas as outsourcing, commercial contracts and software licensing. His complementary expertise in employment and business law informs his high-quality work in the space. He is a representative of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe to the European Commission’s committee on cloud computing.
Strengths: “I rate him for his ability and knowledge in this area.”
“He’s very good at getting to the nub of a complex problem; he’s good with clients, and very careful to make sure the underlying facts are all agreed.”
Intellectual Property
Ranked Senior Barristers
Seasoned advocate at the Scottish Bar with experience across the full spectrum of IP disputes, regularly handles multi-jurisdictional cases. He is noted for his complementary expertise in IT and technology law and is routinely called on to tackle complex copyright infringement, design rights and data protection issues.
Strengths: “A great communicator and impresses with the speed at which he gets to the nub of the client’s issue.”
“He is very responsive, alert to the commerciality of matters, and very helpful.”
Licensing
Ranked Junior Barristers
Has a strong advisory licensing practice, with special emphasis on the gaming and gambling sectors. Monkcom has an enviable reputation in this area and is widely known for his academic prowess. He is especially known for his role as a consulting editor to Smith & Monkcom “The Law of Gambling”.
Strengths: “He is really knowledgeable on gambling and provides excellent opinions.”
Matrimonial Finance
Ranked Junior Barristers
Matrimonial finance junior who handles all manner of proceedings following relationship dissolution, including those relating to TOLATA and Schedule 1 to the Children Act. She is committed to providing an affordable service to a wide range of clients with middle to high net worth.
Strengths: “An advocate with great integrity. She is focused, determined, and always makes her points with grace and tact. In between hearings, the ongoing support Kerstin provides is second to none.”
Focuses his practice on family and property law, and is a true expert on the financial aspects of relationship dissolution. His cases cover civil issues affecting cohabitees such as TOLATA and Inheritance Act claims, as well as Schedule 1 applications. Wilson is particularly highly regarded for his expertise in matters involving same-sex couples.
Strengths: “Gerald is very knowledgeable, analytical, user-friendly and someone who builds a good rapport with clients. His advocacy is excellent and he’s very persuasive in court.”
Public Procurement
Ranked Senior Barristers
A well-established silk who is qualified to practise at both the English and Scottish Bar. He is best known for his expertise in the IP and IT arenas, and has recently advised extensively on a number of major public software procurements.
Strengths: “Very thorough and well prepared.”
Recent work: Advised Open Forum Europe on lobbying for adoption and implementation of open standards in software procurement by the UK government and others.