Property & Real Estate Barristers
Tanfield Chambers – Chambers UK 2021
22nd October 2020
Tanfield Chambers have confirmed their position amongst the top property sets, being recognised by Chambers UK 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:
Tanfield Chambers is highlighted for the expertise of its members in landlord and tenant disputes. Recent matters handled by barristers at Tanfield have involved lease disputes, restrictive covenants and development issues. Members have been instructed for the claimants in Howard and Others v Chelsea Yacht & Boat Club Ltd, a long-running case regarding the charging of a premium on top of mooring fees at Chelsea Reach. “The quality of the barristers is excellent,” says one source, while another says: “The counsel are very user-friendly.”
They also highlighted the client service and senior practice managers, stating:
“The clerks are extremely accommodating and particularly helpful when you require assistance with the filing of court documents.”
“The clerks are brilliant and very helpful.”
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 on 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: “He gives excellent pragmatic, assertive and commercially astute advice. What Philip doesn’t know about leasehold reform is not worth knowing.”
“The star of the enfranchisement world. You would not want to go into a complex residential dispute without him on your side.”
“Everyone listens when he speaks and almost takes it as gospel because he’s so knowledgeable in the field.”
Recent work: Acted for the applicant in Shaviram Normandy Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, an application to modify a restrictive covenant in a headlease of an office building in order to create 114 flats.
Handles cases concerning easements, boundaries and a wide range of other property disputes. He is especially noted for his enfranchisement work, and he frequently works with leading instructing solicitors. His clients include property companies and both commercial and residential landlords and tenants.
Strengths: “He’s incredibly good with clients and he’s a clear and effective advocate.”
Recent work: Acted for Wagamama in defence of a claim brought by the developers of the Eastbourne Arndale Centre to enforce an agreement that Wagamama would take a lease of premises being constructed in the extension to the Centre.
Particularly noted for his strong practice in matters relating to mortgage law and other securities over land. He also advises on service charge disputes, rights to light and party wall issues, among other cases.
Strengths: “He is a really exceptional advocate – very compelling on his feet.”
“Extremely thorough and academic in his approach, Tim is a real talent.”
Recent work: Instructed by UKOG in the application for an injunction against protestors acting in an unlawful manner in protest against UKOG’s oil and gas activities.
Handles both mainstream property rights disputes and commercial real estate cases. He is particularly adept at tackling the company law issues which often arise in these matters.
Strengths: “A formidable but always reasonable opponent.”
“He consistently provides high calibre, clear advice.”
Recent work: Appeared in the Court of Appeal in Leon v Westminster CC and others, acting for Mr Leon. The case concerned a decision to grant a vesting order to Mr Leon in relation to the long lease of a London flat.
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.
Strengths: “Considered, focused and approachable.”
“To the point and very knowledgeable.”
Recent work: Instructed at short notice in Chiswick Village Residents Ltd v Southey, an Upper Tribunal appeal encompassing breach of natural justice and the recovery of directors’ insurance and expenses through service charges.
Ranked Junior Barristers
Best known as an expert in high-value enfranchisement matters. He has also acted on multiple dilapidations cases, as well as contentious rent reviews and forfeitures. He edits a textbook on the law surrounding service charges and continues to write a property law column in The Times.
Strengths: “A recognised specialist in leasehold enfranchisement matters. A pleasure to work with.”
Recent work: Instructed in Pragma Holdings v Tyran Properties, a claim to acquire the freehold of a block of flats in Hampstead in which the Tribunal determined a premium of over £2.6 million.
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: “Simply superb. A delight to work with and tenacious in the courtroom.”
“Practical, user-friendly and a terrific cross-examiner.”
“He’s an experienced and tough trial lawyer.”
Recent work: Acted in Pragma Properties Ltd v Tyran Properties Ltd, an enfranchisement dispute concerning a high-value property in Hampstead.
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. Daniel also has significant niche expertise in work relating to hotels and shopping centres.
Strengths: “He has a real feel for the area.”
“A very switched-on landlord and tenant practitioner.”
Recent work: Instructed in Nozari v Rouzdar, a High Court dispute regarding the ownership of two flats in Marble Arch.
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.
Strengths: “Very approachable, has excellent knowledge and is easy to work with.”
“James is an excellent senior junior. His client service is brilliant, he’s attentive and has a good eye for detail.”
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: “Approachable, pragmatic and knowledgeable.”
Recent work: Acted for Spire House RTM Company in its successful second attempt to be granted the right to manage a block in Lancaster Gate.
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: “She is collaborative, easy to work with, understands clients’ demands and is able to meet deadlines and unexpected urgent applications.”
“A really good senior junior.”
Recent work: Acted for the defendants in a sensitive claim in which it was alleged that the clients had evicted their 97-year-old blind grandmother from their deceased mother’s house.
Regularly handles cases involving easements, boundary disputes and property development, including those with many millions of pounds at stake. Glover has handled cases in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. His clients range from high net worth individuals to oil companies.
Strengths: “A strong and persuasive advocate who is good at helping clients out of tricky situations.”
“Very hands on and a good team player. He has a measured approach in court that is well received.”
Recent work: Instructed on behalf of the landlord and owner of the largest Chinese restaurant in the UK in injunction proceedings following lease forfeiture and an expedited trial of a possession action.
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, commercially minded and efficient.”
“Her draftings are very user-friendly and easy to understand. She’ll negotiate in a sensible way.”
Recent work: Acted on behalf of the freeholders of agricultural land in proceedings for possession against the deceased tenant’s wife who denied receiving notice to quit.
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 has experience in significant possession disputes.
Strengths: “Carl is pragmatic, incredibly user-friendly and has an excellent manner.”
“He’s very down to earth and everyone understands where he’s coming from.”
“Bright, hard-working and reliable.”
Recent work: Acted in a dispute stemming from the collective enfranchisement by the tenants of Queen Court in central London. The case concerned whether the tenants are entitled to acquire leases of the air space, basement and subsoil.
Regularly handles matters concerning high-value properties and is an expert in such areas as tenants’ rights of first refusal, right to manage and enfranchisement. Commentators note that he really comes into his own in cases concerning service charges.
Strengths: “He combines a sharp mind, deep knowledge, experience and seasoned advocacy with consummate client-handling skills.”
“Very cerebral, persuasive towards judges, prompt and easy to deal with.”
“A good all-round property barrister with both residential and commercial expertise.”
Recent work: Acted for the lessees of a block of flats on Park Lane in a dispute questioning whether payment under a management order is a service charge.
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: “Very knowledgeable on service charge disputes.”
Recent work: Acted in an appeal regarding whether the discretion vested in the court under Section 51 of the Senior Courts Act 1981 is engaged in relation to the legal costs incurred in the First-tier Tribunal where all or part of the case is transferred from the court to the Tribunal.
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: “He’s a strong advocate, he’s quick and accessible and he’s very good to work with.”
“Knowledgeable, commercially focused and pragmatic.”
Recent work: Acted for RGCM, the developer of student accommodation blocks in Leeds, in an application for an injunction against urban explorers who were trespassing on the cranes at the building sites.
A technical and creative junior who is known for his exceptional command of leasehold matters, and enfranchisement in particular.
Strengths: “He is very accessible and turns things around very quickly.”
“He takes a punchy and proactive approach with a good commercial sense.”
Recent work: Acted in an enfranchisement dispute regarding six blocks on an estate. The key issue was the development value attributed to a rooftop development.
Social Housing
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: “She is established and well known. She’s very good and a tough opponent.”
“She is impressive.”
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. His considerable knowledge of immigration law complements his social housing work. Madge-Wyld also has notable experience of handling service charge disputes.
Strengths: “He knows housing law backwards.”
Recent work: Advised a housing association on how to recover possession from a tenant of temporary accommodation where it had accepted her as a tenant under a mutual exchange.
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Ranked Junior Barristers
An experienced real property junior with a growing agriculture and rural affairs practice. She is particularly well known for her work on landlord and tenant matters, as well as boundary disputes.
Strengths: “She is a really focused agriculture specialist. She is really reliable and her advocacy is really good.”
“She is fair and measured in her approach.”
“She is bright, sensible and always thinks strategically.”
Recent work: Acted in Spencer v Ministry of Defence, a case concerning an agricultural tenant’s challenge to a notice to quit.
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: “She is a very competent practitioner – thorough and comprehensive.”
Matrimonial Finance
Ranked Junior Barristers
Matrimonial finance junior who handles all manner of proceedings following relationship dissolution, including those relating to TOLATA and complex assets. She is committed to providing an affordable service to a wide range of clients with middle to high net worth.
Strengths: “Has a soft manner but is a rottweiler in court. She gets results, keeps in touch between hearings and is always available.”
“An astute counsel who is highly sympathetic towards clients.”
“She excels in building a rapport with all she comes into contact with.”
Focuses his practice on family and property law, and is a true expert on the financial aspects of relationship dissolution. His practice covers cases which have tax, asset and jurisdictional aspects to them. Wilson is particularly highly regarded for his expertise in matters involving same-sex couples.
Strengths: “A calming presence and a lawyer who can handle issues of great complexity. He deals well with very demanding and vulnerable clients, and the results he gets are great.”
“Gerald has excellent analytical skills and a good eye for detail.”
Recent work: Acted in Tinslay v Bryan & Britton, an application for a declaration of parentage in the High Court Family Division, ancillary to inheritance proceedings.