Department profile
Dentons

Real Estate Litigation

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)


Dentons

Rankings

About

Provided by Dentons

Dentons' Property Litigation team delivers results in substantial and complex real estate litigation matters. The team's eminent experience provides the platform to resolve property disputes through commercial resolution or favourable determinations.

This expertise covers all sectors and the complete range of real estate litigation matters. This includes property contract and development disputes, rights of light, party walls, insolvency, easement and covenant disputes, landlord and tenant (including rent review, dilapidations, alienation and alterations), business rates, nuisance (private and statutory), professional negligence, high value leasehold enfranchisement and trespass.

The team's track-record is proven by the progression of a number of high- profile disputes through both the Tribunal and Court structures, including to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Their acute advisory experience will frequently involve devising strong strategies for developers, their partners, financiers and other stakeholders for rights of light, party wall and covenant issues affecting large-scale development projects.

The team's level of service has resulted in them being entrusted to advise on all sizes of matters, including "bet-the-company" disputes. This is why their client base spans global hedge funds, FTSE 100 corporates to SMEs, investors, financiers, major developers, institutional landlords and tenants, public bodies and high net worth individuals.

Clients (10)

  • Sainsbury's
  • Co-operative Group
  • The Official Receiver
  • Taylor Wimpey
  • ATS Euromaster
  • Argos
  • London Borough of Southwark
  • Sainsbury's Bank
  • Prestbury
  • Secure Income REIT

Industries (15)

  • Real Estate
  • Development
  • Retail
  • Transport
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Hotels & Leisure
  • Government
  • Utilities
  • Media
  • Insurance
  • Telecommunications
  • Construction & Materials
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Private Clients
  • Charities

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate Litigation - London (Firms)

Band 3

Band 3


What the Team is Known For

Dentons remains a much sought-after practice in the London real estate litigation market. The firm handles a wide range of highly complex and high-stakes cases and is notable for its expertise in litigation avoidance and risk analysis as well as right-to-light, telecommunications-related and ratings disputes. The team also advises clients on portfolio management issues and insolvency-related property disputes. Its broad client base includes the likes of retailers, financial institutions and developers.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Dentons acted for Sainsbury's in successfully defeating its landlord's opposition to the grant of a new lease.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • You don't feel like a case number. They make you feel like a genuine human being.

    Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
  • They are excellent. It is clearly a very technically skilled and commercial team.

    Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
  • The Dentons team have good awareness of the property market and sensitivity to the commercial requirements of clients.

    Real Estate Litigation respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Bryan Johnston
    Band 1Bryan Johnston

    Bryan Johnston

    Bryan Johnston heads the property litigation team at Dentons and enjoys an excellent reputation in the market. He handles matters such as business rates and right to light claims for clients including local authorities and retailers.
    • Bryan is excellent and it is always a pleasure to work with him. He is a very able lawyer.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
    • Bryan is at the top of his game and works very hard to achieve client objectives.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
    • Bryan is very experienced and knowledgeable.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK
    • He's very clued up and sensible.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Dentons (1)

London (Firms)

Members

Provided by Dentons

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