Next Generation Partners

Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: Property litigation

Under the leadership of Susan Roberts, Burnetts' recently expanded property litigation offering in Newcastle is located within the firm’s larger dispute resolution team.

Property litigation in North

Muckle LLP

Muckle LLP’s property litigation team advises on a wide range of disputes, including dilapidations, break notices, and forfeiture, specific performance, rent review and insolvency claims. The team handles commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters, as well as general land disputes. Charlotte McMurchie leads the team, with significant experience across complex residential and commercial property litigation. Sarah Barratt has over 20 years’ experience in residential landlord and tenant matters, particularly supporting social housing clients. Jennifer Pearson focuses on commercial real estate disputes, while also advising on a broad spectrum of contentious property issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Charlotte McMurchie


Autres avocats clés:

Sarah Barratt; Jennifer Pearson


Les références

‘The firm is always prompt with responses and actions and solutions.’

‘The individuals I have dealt with personally are Sarah Barratt and Charlotte McMurchie. They all exhibit a superb level of professional expertise as well as being personable with a polite, friendly, open approach.’

‘The team are always on hand to answer any queries and explain the process thoroughly.’

Principaux clients

Hays Travel Limited


Vertu Motors plc


Bernicia Group


Grainger plc


Wildheart Residential Management Limited


Newcastle College Group


Kitwave


Places for People


Prime Property Management Limited


Gentoo Group Limited


Retirement Bridge Management Limited


Pearsmere Residents Association Limited


Home Group


Clarke Mairs Law Limited

Clarke Mairs Law Limited is recognised for its strong property litigation offering, with particular expertise in contentious landlord and tenant matters and enfranchisement work. The team acts for a broad client base, including regional companies, SMEs, owner-managed businesses, investors and high-net-worth individuals. James Godden leads the team, bringing extensive experience across county court, High Court and First-tier Tribunal proceedings. Amir Hussain supports the practice with a focus on high-value and complex claims, contributing to the team’s growing reputation in contentious property matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

James Godden


Autres avocats clés:

Amir Hussain


Les références

‘The breadth of knowledge is impressive, covering a whole range of property disputes. The firm is a joy to work with whilst producing an excellent work product.’

‘The firm is clearly collegiate and works together excellently as a team, explaining the law carefully and making sure clients are properly apprised about the case. James Godden in particular is brilliant.’

‘Their understanding of litigation and the pitfalls around that is second to none.’

Sintons LLP

Sintons LLP’s property litigation team is known for its work with high-profile local and national organisations, high-net-worth individuals, and charitable trusts. The team handles a wide range of commercial and residential property disputes, with particular expertise in development-related issues, lease renewals, dilapidations, forfeitures, easements, and covenant interpretations. Hilary Waters and Angus Ashman co-head the team, both bringing broad dispute resolution experience. Graeme Ritzema advises on commercial and freehold property disputes, while Thomas Cumming specialises in real estate litigation including possession, boundary and nuisance claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Hilary Waters; Angus Ashman


Autres avocats clés:

Graeme Ritzema; Thomas Cumming


Les références

‘An excellent understanding of the intricacies of property litigation, always ready to deal with difficult opponents and go the extra mile.’

‘Sintons are market leaders in Newcastle, providing quality and innovation throughout their diverse team. Clients will get the best service with solicitors who have excellent legal knowledge and litigation experience.’

‘Thomas Cumming is pragmatic and quick to understand both the legal and commercial issues faced by clients and the solution needed, being skilled both in legal knowledge and litigation tactics. He is adept at negotiating favourable compromises even in difficult disputes.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for the owner of a large ancestral estate and including a 5-day trial in relation to the proper legal interpretation of the user provisions, subletting and restrictive covenants in a lease of agricultural land.
  • Successfully defending and resolving a claim against the Land Registry for the adverse possession of a rail access corridor leading to the client’s chemical plant, with ownership of the unregistered branch line being transferred to the client.
  • Successfully resisting the application of an international commercial Tenant for a licence to assign its lease of large, licensed gambling premises to the weaker covenant of a subsidiary company and resolving the Tenant’s claim for the rectification of the rent review provisions of its lease.

Swinburne Maddison LLP

Swinburne Maddison LLP’s property litigation team has notable expertise in the social housing sector, particularly in housing disrepair litigation. Working closely with the commercial property team, the group advises a wide client base including private individuals, registered providers, local authorities, developers and property agents. David Low leads the team, advising on the full range of residential and commercial property matters and housing management issues. Lewis Brown supports the team with experience in contractual disputes, construction litigation, and a strong focus on housing disrepair claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

David Low


Autres avocats clés:

Lewis Brown


Les références

‘Swinburne Maddison positions itself as a reliable partner, consistently delivering high-quality services and maintaining transparency in client relationships. All members of the team are consistently responsive, helpful and reassuring across the detail with a very complex property litigation case.’

‘One of the greatest strengths of the individuals I work with at Swinburne Maddison is their genuine commitment to both clients and colleagues. In an industry where expertise and technical knowledge are a given, what truly sets Lewis Brown and David Low apart is their warm, approachable nature and conscientious approach to every case. Their case work and the successful outcome of a property litigation case were truly world-class.’

‘The litigation team are first class at getting to the heart of the matter, establishing the core legal arguments and explaining them to the client in clear and concise language. Further, the whole team work harmoniously in concert to ensure you receive the most potent legal arguments. As a unit, the team are highly responsive, providing individually tailored legal solutions whilst providing much-needed reassurance with difficult and challenging legal problems.’

Principaux clients

Durham Cathedral


Beyond Housing Limited


The Esh Group


Believe Housing Limited


TJD Properties Limited


University of Law


MC Lettings


Gilesgate Properties Limited


St Cuthbert’s Walk Limited Partnership


The Empress Bar Limited


Livin Housing


Leeds City Council


Claxton Estates Limited


Moving On (Durham) Limited


The Liquor & Restaurant Group Limited


H&H Land & Estates Ltd


Arrow Commercial Limited


Broadacres Housing Association


Inclusion Housing CIC


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting on behalf of a client in connection with a complex proprietary estoppel dispute concerning the transfer of two properties valued at c£500,000, which were allegedly promised in settlement of services rendered.
  • Continuing to act for a large Local Authority in connection with ongoing housing disrepair claims, with more than 3,900 matters being handled to date.
  • Acting on behalf of a longstanding client in connection with a complex mines and minerals dispute over land which is designated for residential development.

Ward Hadaway LLP

Ward Hadaway LLP’s real estate litigation team is recognised for its dedicated specialists who advise a broad client base across complex property disputes. The team frequently collaborates with the real estate transactional and public sector teams on major development projects. Helen Hill leads the team and is noted for her expertise in property-related telecoms matters under the Electronic Communications Code. Jeremy Hardy has significant experience, advising developers, local authorities, national retailers, housing associations, investors and commercial occupiers on a wide range of contentious property issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Helen Hill


Autres avocats clés:

Jeremy Hardy


Les références

‘They are very approachable, and extremely knowledgeable and at all times professional.’