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 have been involved in the All England Tennis Club development at Wimbledon. One source comments: "Falcon Chambers has exceptional barristers that are leaders in their field, often working on highly complex work all the way up to the Supreme Court," while another notes that: "the expertise at every level is what sets Falcon Chambers apart."

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 representing the claimants in the high-profile Annington Properties v Secretary of State. Rights of light, enfranchisement, overage disputes and trespass all feature in the set's recent caseload. A source states that the set has "huge strength in depth across their roster of property specialist barristers," while another adds that "Landmark is the best set in the business in my view. They have specialists across the board and can always work to tight deadlines whenever required."

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, members of the set have appeared on both sides of Iya Patarkatsishivili & anor v William Woodward-Fisher, the high-profile 'moths' case which has made headline news. A source reports: "Wilberforce Chambers is the go-to set for property litigation. The skillset at all levels is unrivalled and they will always be a first choice for any high value, complex property dispute." Another interviewee adds: "Wilberforce is the best of the best in our real estate disputes area and its roster of barristers is top tier."

Gatehouse Chambers 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 Triplark Limited v Whale & ors, a dispute relating to a substantial estate of flats in North London. One source states that "Gatehouse Chambers is a brilliant chambers with high quality barristers at all levels," while another interviewee remarks that "Gatehouse has a wealth of property experts and incredibly astute barristers."

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 Cooper v Ludgate House, a high-profile rights of light dispute. According to one interviewee, Maitland is a "very good Chambers, with counsel who can advise up to and beyond the edges of pure real estate law," while another remarks the set "not only has in-depth knowledge of the law but applies the right strategy to produce results for clients."

John Wiggs is the director of clerking.

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. This year, members of the set have been involved with London Trocadero v Picturehouse Cinemas, a case regarding insurance commissions which has gained widespread attention. An interviewee praises the set as having a "very wide range of skills in the property sphere at all levels of seniority which is ideal for my practice area." Another source adds that "Selborne has a number of highly skilled property litigators that are client-friendly, commercial and great to work with."

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. The set is incredibly well-versed in matters pertaining to the Building Safety Act 2022. This last year, members of the set appeared in A1 Ground Rents (Sunderland) v Tudor Studios RTM, a case regarding the validity of property notices which was heard in the Supreme Court. One interviewee comments that the Tanfield team "has a fantastic depth of technical expertise in leasehold enfranchisement." Another source adds that "the barristers demonstrate excellent attention to detail and a highly practical, solutions-focused approach."

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 Birch Housing Ltd v Alco 1 Limited/LondonMetric Property. A source says that Enterprise is "an extremely clever set, with barristers who are very persuasive and possess outstanding advocacy skills," while another states members of the set are "good at cutting through complex factual backgrounds and focusing on the substantive issues."

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. This year, the set was involved in Savage v Savage, wherein the meaning of s.15(3) of the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 was determined in the Court of Appeal. An instructing solicitor says of the set: "Their barristers are all very bright and their juniors are excellent. No problem is too big and even on small matters they are willing to help." Another interviewee adds that the set provides "great strength in depth across all levels of seniority, covering all aspects of real estate litigation."

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 URS Corporation v BDW Trading, acting for the Secretary of State for Communities, Housing and Local Government, who intervened in the appeal in the Supreme Court. One source comments that Serle Court is a "commercially-focused set offering a breadth of property related legal services," while another states "Serle Court is starting to gain a greater presence among the Property Litigation Association, offering a true alternative to the usual suspects."