Real Estate Litigation | UK Bar

Falcon Chambers is a leading specialist real estate litigation set with an impressive bench of both silks and juniors appearing in high-profile cases. Members are able to provide expertise in the full range of real estate areas, including landlord and tenant disputes, rights of light, complex easement litigation, and agriculture and telecommunications cases. Barristers at Falcon Chambers acted in Fearn v Trustees of the Tate Gallery, a Supreme Court nuisance and human rights case. One source comments: "The advice and strategy received from counsel at Falcon is always of the highest quality and no stone is left unturned," while another notes: "The barristers at Falcon are thoroughly knowledgeable on a very wide range of subjects."

Landmark Chambers provides expertise in a host of areas, including core real property disputes as well as telecommunications and licensing cases. Landmark's members regularly appear in the higher courts and continue to be instructed in high-profile and complex disputes, including Fearn v Tate Trustees, now considered the leading authority on nuisance law, Rights of light, enfranchisement, overage disputes and trespass all feature in the set's recent caseload. A source states that the set has "experts in every niche area of property litigation," while another adds that Landmark has "fantastic specialist knowledge, strength in depth and provides consistently very high-quality output."

Wilberforce Chambers acts on a wide range of property matters, including both residential and commercial landlord and tenant cases, development disputes, title disputes and agricultural property cases. Members appear frequently in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. This year the set has been instructed in such matters as Annington Property Ltd & Others v The Secretary of State for Defence, and Manchester Ship Canal Company v United Utilities Water. A source reports: "The Wilberforce team is able to deal with the most complex and difficult cases with great skill and care." Another interviewee adds: "Wilberforce Chambers is one of the best in the market, and its bench strength is stellar."

Gatehouse is home to accomplished barristers with strong experience in real estate litigation, who tackle a full assortment of cases including telecommunications, construction and professional negligence-related claims. Barristers at the set have been instructed in complex cases relating to trespassers, as well as land registration disputes. Members have appeared recently in Sara and Hossein Asset Holdings v Blacks Outdoor Retail, a very high-profile service charge-related dispute. A source states that the set has "fantastic knowledge and experience in all areas of real estate litigation," while another interviewee remarks that the Gatehouse team is "effective at understanding the issues at hand and providing pragmatic advice to the client."

Maitland Chambers enjoys a strong reputation for property litigation. The set is home to accomplished silks and juniors who provide clients with the benefit of extensive expertise in areas including landlord and tenant law, telecommunications matters and development disputes. Maitland Chambers is well equipped to handle mortgage cases and other disputes with complex commercial elements. Members of the set have this year appeared in significant cases including South Tees Development Corporation v PD Teesport Ltd, a high-profile rights of way dispute. According to one interviewee, "Maitland is a set very well known for its ability to deal with complex and sophisticated matters," while another remarks: "Maitland's barristers are technically excellent and quick to grapple with complex facts."

Selborne Chambers is noted for its broad skills in property litigation, providing expertise in areas ranging from development and dilapidations claims to possession disputes. Members are active in the Supreme Court, High Court and Court of Appeal. An interviewee praises the set as having "very thorough and very knowledgeable barristers." Another source adds that the set is "very reliable in its ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters, especially where several areas of law overlap and a creative and strategic approach is required to progress the case."

Tanfield Chambers is highlighted for the expertise of its members in landlord and tenant disputes. Barristers at the set have a wealth of knowledge in such matters as lease disputes, restrictive covenants and development issues. The team is also known for its work in enfranchisement disputes. This last year, members of the set appeared in Williams v Aviva Investors Ground Rent GP, a service charge dispute. One interviewee comments that the Tanfield team is "extremely knowledgeable, very sharp and pragmatic in its approach to dispute resolution." Another source adds that the team has "strong sector knowledge especially when it comes to housing and BSA work."

Enterprise Chambers is noted for its strength in landlord and tenant disputes, with members frequently acting on both sides of complex disputes. Additional strength is found in complementary areas such as insolvency, professional negligence and a wide variety of cases heard in the Chancery Division. This year the set appeared in a number of significant cases, including ICG Longbow c C&C Alpha Group, a rent review dispute. A source says that the team is "very pragmatic, punctual with responses, and provides the level of service necessary to fulfil the requirements of the client."

Michael Ireland is the senior clerk.

Radcliffe Chambers provides expertise in a host of contentious property matters, as well as related areas including trusts, professional negligence and insolvency disputes. Members have undertaken repair cases, service charge disputes, rent review matters and rights of way cases, among others. An instructing solicitor says: "Radcliffe Chambers has a range of experienced counsel," while another interviewee adds that the set provides "exceedingly thorough and insightful work."

Serle Court is a set with strong expertise across a wide range of real estate disputes, with recent experience in areas including waterways, restrictive covenants, service charges and trespassing. Members are experienced in both chancery and commercial cases. Barristers at the set act for high net worth individuals, investment and development companies and hotel groups, among other clients. Barristers at the set have been involved in several high-profile matters this year, including continued work in Asturion Foundation v Princess Al Jawharah bint Ibrahim al Ibrahim, in which the set is acting for Princess Al Jawharah in resisting claims to a London property. One source comments that the set has a "strong attention to detail, thinks of commercial solutions and provides excellent knowledge of the field."