Timothy C Dutton KC

Practice Areas

Tim is a leading property silk, and acts in both contentious and non-contentious matters. A significant proportion of Tim’s cases are commercial chancery cases with a “property flavour”.

Examples include KPMG v. Network Rail (CA) (claim for “rectification by construction” and for rectification in equity – the case was an important pre-curser to the Supreme Court’s decision in Chartbrook v. Persimmon Homes); Meretz v. ACP (ChD/CA) (multi-faceted claim, including claims in conspiracy, and procuring breach of contract); FoodCo v. Henry Boot Developments; Williams v. Redcard, and Re Blenheim Leisure Ltd (CA).

Tim also specialises in what may be regarded as pure property litigation. Housden v. Conservators of Wimbledon and Putney Commons (ChD/CA) (whether it is possible to acquire prescriptive rights over Wimbledon and Putney Commons); Cravecrest v. Duke of Westminster (UT/CA) – whether the price payable on a collective enfranchisement can include development value (appeal to the Supreme Court later in 2014)); Legal & General v. Expeditors International (ChD/CA) (meaning of “vacant possession” in a break option, and whether break conditions had been waived); Renewal Leeds v. Lowry Properties (ChD) (interpretation of overage clause); Centreland Management v. HSBC (ChD) (renewal of business tenancies – test to be applied when deciding whether a “Calderbank” offer has been beaten), and First Penthouse v. Channel Hotels and Properties (ChD/CA) (whether licence to assign withheld for collateral purpose).

Career

Called to the Bar in 1985. KC 2013.

Professional Memberships

Chancery Bar Association

Property Bar Association