Department profile
Real Estate Litigation
UK Guide 2026 : South West
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Burges Salmon LLP
Our real estate dispute resolution team provides market-leading advice on managing real estate disputes and mitigating risks related to real estate assets.
Time-sensitive real estate disputes require swift, high-quality legal advice, and the size and expertise of our team enable us to consistently meet client expectations, even in the most challenging cases.
We focus on early resolution through pragmatic, commercial, and innovative strategies. However, we also bring extensive experience in successfully litigating in courts and tribunals when necessary to meet our clients’ commercial objectives.
We maintain strong relationships with a wide range of clients, span commercial property institutions, banks, investment companies, and high net worth individuals, who trust us to deliver results efficiently. Clients include Severn Trent Water, St.Modwen, Tritax BigBox, The Post Office, St James’s Place, Virgin, John Lewis Partnership, Pennon Group, the Greater London Authority, and the Competition and Markets Authority.
Our expert service covers everything from initial advice in the early stages of a dispute to handling technically complex litigation and asset management for large-scale property portfolios.
From commercial landlord and tenant matters to property-related professional negligence claims, we ensure comprehensive support and guidance to help you manage risks and resolve disputes efficiently.
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Burges Salmon assists Waitrose & Partners and John Lewis & Partners with all contentious real estate matters across their retail store portfolio and at the Leckford Estate.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Burges Salmon are thorough and have a detailed knowledge of the practice area which is grounded in practicality.
Real Estate Litigation respondentUKBurges Salmon take a commercial and pragmatic approach to the challenges and facts across a spectrum of issues.
Real Estate Litigation respondentUKBurges Salmon have a highly strategic and pragmatic approach to matters.
Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 2 
Band 2 Chris Preston
Chris Preston regularly advises on property litigation in a variety of sectors, with a particular specialism in telecommunications disputes.
Chris is really good at getting to the nitty gritty and thinking through issues as well.
Real Estate Litigation respondentUKChris has excellent knowledge of property litigation, bringing case law and practicalities to the fore.
Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
Band 2 
Band 2 James Sutherland
James Sutherland is head of the real estate litigation department at Burges Salmon. He offers clients guidance across a broad range of contentious property matters, including breach of covenant disputes and dilapidations claims. James has a very considered approach and is technically very good. He is collaborative and very commercial.
Real Estate Litigation respondentUKJames has particular strength in dealing with clients and giving them the assurances they require.
Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
Associates to watch 
Associates to watch Rebecca Lee
Rebecca Lee is a senior associate at Burges Salmon. She regularly represents clients in real estate property disputes.
Rebecca Lee is a strong litigator and good to deal with.
Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
Ranked Individuals at Burges Salmon LLP (3)
South West
Chris Preston
Head of Real Estate Litigation
View profile James Sutherland
Head of Real Estate Litigation
View profile Rebecca Lee
Real Estate Litigation
View profile
Members
Provided by Burges Salmon LLP
Rebecca Lee
View profile of Rebecca Lee
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