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St John's Chambers

Real Estate Litigation

UK Bar Guide 2026 : Western (Bar)

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St John's Chambers

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About

Provided by St John's Chambers

Our Real Estate team is widely recognised as the leading force in real estate litigation on the Western Circuit and across Wales. With an exceptional depth of expertise and an unwavering commitment to client service, we are consistently instructed in some of the most challenging and high-profile property disputes in the region.

With 21 specialist members, several of whom are ranked as leading individuals in the legal directories, we bring together a wealth of experience and talent in real estate law.

We act in:

  • Commercial property
  • Landlord and tenant disputes
  • Traditional Land Law
  • Property-related disputes
  • Professional negligence in property 

We also act in disputes involving agricultural tenancies, statutory succession, and rights under agricultural holdings legislation, supported by our dedicated Agricultural & Rural Affairs team.

We have extensive experience in resolving these disputes through both litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Who we work with:

  • Private landowners and rural estates
  • National and regional developers
  • Local authorities and other public bodies
  • Social housing providers and housing associations
  • Institutional investors
  • Legal professionals seeking specialist advice
  • Individuals involved in property disputes of all types

Our team regularly appears in courts and tribunals at all levels, from the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (Wales), to the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Real Estate Litigation - Western (Bar)

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

St John's Chambers is the premier set for contentious property matters on the Western Circuit and remains a go-to for solicitors in the South West and further afield. The set boasts a deep roster of barristers with specialist real estate litigation expertise who appear at all levels of the court system, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. The barristers are regularly instructed in everything from boundary disputes to dilapidations claims, and disagreements over lease renewals and other landlord and tenant issues, to disputes over contracts for the sale of land. A recent work highlight was the RM Residential v Westacre Properties appeal to the Upper Tribunal, in which members successfully represented the appellants in this landlord and tenant matter. An interviewee describes St John's Chambers as a "very strong regional set, just as skilled as London sets". Another sources states: "St John's Chambers has a good pool of barristers at a range of levels."

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • One of the reasons I use St John's a lot is because of the clerks. Simon Lyons, Paul Nuttall and Rob Bocock are in charge, and they are easy to get hold of and efficient.

    Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks at St John's are exceptional. They are, without a doubt, one of the best clerking teams in the country.

    Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • John Sharples
    John Sharples

    John Sharples

    John Sharples is a pre-eminent junior with an outstanding reputation for his property disputes practice. He is very well versed in handling a variety of complex cases and has a comprehensive knowledge of the law relating to rights of way, boundaries, trespassing and other issues. He takes instructions from landowners, public authorities and private clients, among others.

    • John Sharples is very much top of the game in chancery and property-related work.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

    • John is a first-rate barrister with exceptional skills. He is beyond excellent at both advice and advocacy, and always offers a commercial and practical approach for clients.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar
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  • Alex Troup
    Alex Troup

    Alex Troup

    Alex Troup KC is a highly regarded chancery barrister who specialises in property litigation but also remains active in contentious trusts matters. His work includes disputes over the sale of agricultural land, as well as proprietary estoppel claims and real estate-related contentious probate matters. He regularly acts for agricultural clients and landowners.

    • Alex is an absolute safe pair of hands. He has got a very natural way with clients, and is also very active on the social and business development side. A good all-rounder.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

    • Alex Troup has established himself as the go-to KC outside London on all chancery matters.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar
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  • Charles Auld
    Charles Auld

    Charles Auld

    Charles Auld manages a successful property practice covering all the main chancery areas but focusing in particular on land registration and land-related issues. He is an expert in right of way issues, adverse possession and boundary disputes. He has handled a number of instructions concerning trusts and wills.

    • Charles has a hugely in-depth knowledge of all matters real estate and commercial property. Judges and clients like him. He is always very commercially minded.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

    • Charles Auld never fails to provide good, practical and reassuring advice.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar
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  • Christopher Jones
    Christopher Jones

    Christopher Jones

    Christopher Jones is a strong junior who handles property-related matters within his broader chancery practice. His areas of expertise encompass probate matters, landlord and tenant disputes, and real property litigation. He represents both claimants and defendants, and has experience in claims relating to proprietary estoppel, right of way issues and adverse possession.

    • Christopher is very approachable and good with clients, putting them at ease.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

    • Christopher Jones has excellent client care skills and is a tenacious and compelling advocate.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar
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  • Adam Boyle
    Adam Boyle

    Adam Boyle

    Adam Boyle is an experienced junior barrister specialising in commercial and chancery matters. He is often seen acting in a variety of real estate matters such as proprietary estoppel, overage, boundary disputes and nuisance claims.

    • Adam is an exceptional barrister. He is technically excellent and amazing on his feet. He is incredible with clients and extremely personable.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

    • Adam Boyle's advice is very clear and helpful, and he is always accessible and responsive.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar
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  • Brittany Pearce
    Brittany Pearce

    Brittany Pearce

    Brittany Pearce is known for her work in covenant disputes between landlords and tenants, including service charge claims, as well as cases regarding the creation and enforcement of easements.

    • Brittany Pearce is able to give clear, solution-focused advice on complex issues.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

    • Brittany is flexible and accommodating to the client's needs.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar
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  • Oliver Wooding
    Oliver Wooding

    Oliver Wooding

    Oliver Wooding is an impressive junior barrister who complements his traditional chancery practice with a suite of real estate-related instructions. His knowledge extends to a variety of topics including easements, proprietary estoppel claims and boundary disputes. He also handles mortgage issues and TOLATA cases.

    • Oliver Wooding has the perfect bedside manner and a dominant gravitas in court.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

    • Oliver is an expert in providing strong and clear advice to his clients and presenting his cases persuasively in court.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar
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  • John Dickinson
    John Dickinson

    John Dickinson

    John Dickinson's broad practice covers chancery, real estate litigation and commercial dispute resolution. Instructing solicitors often seek him out for his expertise in professional negligence claims, access rights and estate disputes.

    • John has a real knack of distilling complex cases and promoting settlement in even the most contentious matters.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar

    • John Dickinson is exceptionally clever, meticulous, insightful and technically brilliant. He is always calm and considered.

      Real Estate Litigation respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at St John's Chambers (8)

Western (Bar)

Members

Provided by St John's Chambers

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