Burges Salmon LLP is go-to for a large swathe of real estate disputes with experience covering asset management issues for large property portfolios, dilapidations and lease issues, including terminations and renewals, as well as disputes relating to planning work and property insolvencies. The team is also known for its substantial water sector expertise together with its strong reputation in Building Safety Act disputes, notably regarding cladding. Practice head and ‘master tactician’ James Sutherland splits his time between London and Bristol and is experienced in advising landlords, occupiers, high-net-worth individuals, and financial institutions. Described as ‘excellent and extremely user-friendly’, Chris Preston has a strong track record acting for public and private sector groups; he also stands out for his expertise in the Telecoms and the Electronic Communications Code. Catherine Banton and Michael Duncan are also of note.

Praised for its ‘approachable and friendly nature’, Clarke Willmott LLP’s property litigation team handles a wide range of issues spanning portfolio and lease management to defect claims. The practice is led by Graham McIntyre, who excels in dilapidation and contested break claims, particularly in the retail sector. He works with Kary Withers, who has experience representing landowners against telecoms operators, particularly regarding mast removals, as well as mandates in the social housing sector. A regular port of call for large housebuilders, Naomi Cunningham is particularly experienced across developments, promotion agreements, and land acquisitions. Tenant and landlord experts Nicola Seager and Laura Robbetts are particularly active in retail sector property litigation where they regularly advise on lease renewals, dilapidations, and breaches of covenant. Also recommended is Simon Freeman, who handles landlord and tenant issues, along with landowner matters.

With an especially strong record covering the retail, telecoms, and energy sectors, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is well versed in a plethora of property litigation matters for public and private sector clients. Bristol’s James Rees, described as ‘a very experienced and knowledgeable solicitor’, heads up the practice from Bristol where he is often instructed on property portfolio work involving landlord and tenants. Sasha Hinton further strengthens these areas, with experience covering a range of lease renewals and dilapidation claims, as well as issues relating to rights of way, rights of light, and title disputes. Vicki Young, who divides her time between Bristol and Southampton, has wide-reaching experience, including handling possession claims and service charge disputes, with Bristol’s Thomas Holdaway focusing on regeneration projects for local authorities alongside renewable energy projects. The addition of Bristol associate Sophie Driscoll in 2024 has further strengthened the team’s residential property litigation offering.

Ashfords LLP‘s practice stands out for its diverse workload for local authorities and London boroughs, in addition to its experience acting for a number of private sector clients that include retailers and property developers. Commercial landlord and tenant matters make up a key aspect of the practice, as do development and investment issues such as easements and overage disputes. Practice head and property insolvency expert James Hemsley leads the team from Plymouth. In Exeter, Sian Gibbon has specialist knowledge in telecoms and right of light claims, with Victoria Bonnet acting in a range of commercial and residential disputes as well as professional negligence claims. Dividing time between Exeter and Taunton, Robert Nicholson covers a range of commercial and residential property disputes, with Bristol’s Warren Reid being especially notable for his dilapidation expertise. Also noted is Sophie Michaelides, who is ‘a very astute senior solicitor with a great eye for detail’, and Marjorie Batten, who focuses on social housing matters.

Regularly turned to by housing associations, care providers, local authorities, and other health sector clients, Bevan Brittan LLP is adept at handling a wide set of property disputes ranging from High Court litigation and portfolio management issues to Building Safety Act issues surrounding cladding defects and disrepair claims. Based in Bristol, Steve Eccles leads the national housing and property dispute resolution teams, handling a broad spectrum of residential and commercial issues for landlords and tenants. He is supported by senior associate Aimee Cottam, who is noted on matters including lease renewals, easements, and adverse possessions, and Kate Hicks, who focuses on social housing work.

Advising high-profile clients, DAC Beachcroft LLP stands out for its contentious asset management expertise, notably advising shopping centres and retail sector clients. The practice also acts in a number of property issues for clients in the housebuilding, health and public sectors. Based in Bristol, Nick Knapman heads up the practice, with a focus on disputes and lease work, as well as rent reviews and dilapidation claims.

Foot Anstey‘s broad offering covers a wide range of commercial portfolio work, landlord and tenant matters, and land development cases. The firm is noted for its infrastructure disputes work in addition to its experience covering agricultural, residential, and commercial mandates, supported by sub-groups specialising in farms, estates and rural land as well as charity properties. Highly experienced property litigator Kate New leads the practice, with real estate group head Patrick Wetherall also having broad contentious experience. Stephanie Kingdon has expertise in tenant and landlord matters, notably business rates liability claims, and is a key contact for retail and infrastructure sector issues. Managing associate Becki Biscoe is noted for contractual disputes, with Rachel Small assisting developers, telecoms clients and utility companies.

Stephens Scown LLP's ‘second to none’ team is well-versed across the property litigation space with particular specialisms in mining, minerals, and mineral waste matters, in addition to rural and agricultural land disputes and portfolio management work. This is bolstered by additional areas of expertise in energy land disputes, and residential and social housing matters. The practice is headed up by Richard Bagwell, who covers a broad set of contentious property work including landlord and tenant disputes, property insolvencies, and telecoms issues. Mark Richardson has expertise handling leases, rights of way, and trespass claims, while Michael Davies' niche is in waste management litigation. Also noted is land disputes expert Ian Thomas, who is well regarded for agricultural land matters, while Ben Jones is highlighted for his experience representing minerals and marine clients.

The ‘fiercely efficient and capable team’ at TLT advises on a strong pipeline of tenant and landlord matters, rent reviews, and lease renewals across a broad range of sectors. Retail leases and leisure, food and drink mandates, including for large pubs and brewers, count among their areas of expertise, with disrepair claims for housing associations being another growing area. Based in Bristol, practice head Mark Routley is ‘very commercially astute and always looks at the bigger picture’. Kane Kirkbride specialises in handling disputes for registered providers, with Emma Cork advising on portfolio and individual landlord and tenant work. Managing associate Rob Whitaker has experience handling property and land disputes, including issues relating to the Electronic Communications Code, and Kate Hillman is particularly experienced in residential property issues, while Maria Carrington covers a blend of retail, leisure and energy mandates.

VWV has a strong presence in the healthcare, education, and broader public sector where the practice assists a range of GP practices, universities, academies, and local authority and government agencies. With public and private sector experience, Michelle Bendall heads up the practice from the firm’s Bristol office. Praised as ‘approachable, attentive and responsive’, Daniel Hall has a strong track record in infrastructure and estate management issues as well as acting for healthcare clients. Also of note are Georgina Little, who is particularly active in landlord and tenant matters, and Philip Sheppard, who often acts for education, charity, and public sector clients.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is well equipped to handle property litigation for high-net-worth individuals and landed estate clients. Among other areas, the team frequently advises on residential and agricultural premises, with recent mandates including possession of land disputes, surrenders and compensation payment claims. The team is led jointly by Emma Humphreys, who is split between the London and Cheltenham offices, and David Haines in Guildford. Emma Preece, located in Cheltenham, is another key contact, highlighted for her ‘terrific client management skills’ and ‘exceptional legal expertise’.

Estate Legal‘s ‘highly experienced’ property advice and litigation team stands out for its capabilities in the retail and hospitality sectors, together with its specialism in food and beverage issues, including the Pubs Code. The practice also possesses expertise covering rights of light claims, lease renewals and breaches of contract, as well as a range of tenant and landlord matters. Co-head Bonnie Martin is ‘a breathtakingly good lawyer’ while co-head Amy Rudrum is particularly noted for her expertise in landlord and tenant portfolio management issues in addition to handling riparian rights work and free of tie mandates for pub tenants. Also highlighted are David Benjamin for a range of possessions claims, lease renewals, and insolvency matters, and Abbie Mundell for asset management work.

The property litigation team at Freeths LLP stands out for its expertise in the telecoms sector and the Electronic Communications Code. Described as a ‘consummate litigator’, Daniel Cuthbert spearheads the team and is praised for his ‘profound understanding of both the regulatory framework and the technical intricacies of the telecoms industry’. David Quinn handles a range of commercial, residential and land matters, including leasehold enfranchisements. Also central to the team are David Shakesby who handles disputes relating to energy and development matters, and Ella Carroll, who is noted for a range of landlord and tenant matters.

‘Efficient and focused’, Lester Aldridge LLP‘s property litigation team has experience covering property disputes relating to care home, telecoms, and construction mandates in addition to niche expertise in the marine space. Led out of Bournemouth, Kate Stewart heads up the team, regularly acting for housebuilders and care homeowners in a range of property disputes. Rachel Gimson is often instructed on rights of way, restrictive covenant, and boundary dispute mandates, with Rebecca Stubbs advising on dilapidations, forfeitures, and lease renewals.

Described as ‘pragmatic and precise’, Michelmores LLP advises a range of housebuilders, developers, and landowners on a range of disputes relating to sizeable development and redevelopment projects, landlord and tenant issues, and corporate occupier mandates. Dividing time between Exeter and Bristol, the team is led by Andrew Baines who is well-versed in advising public and private sector clients. In Bristol, Ben Sharples is an experienced mediator and arbitrator, and leads the firm’s natural capital and sustainable agriculture team. Exeter-based Charlotte Curtis and Bristol-based Lydia Robinson are also active members of the team, with clients describing the pair as ‘sensible, easy to contact and a pleasure to work alongside’.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP represents an array of investors, developers, insurers, pension funds, and housing providers on a multitude of tenant and landlord issues spanning service charge disputes, tenancy enforcement issues, dilapidations and rent reviews. The team also handles issues arising from the telecoms sector. Emma Barnfield, who covers the full spectrum of landlord and tenant mandates, leads the Exeter-based team with experience covering rights of light disputes and the Electronic Communications Code. Jenny Standfast is another key name, as is Natalie Thomas, who is noted for development disputes. Jeni Hancock and Charlotte Brasher are also recommended, as are Cecilia Busby and John Mousicos.

Ellis Jones Solicitors LLP advises on a range of property disputes spanning business lease renewals, restrictive covenants issues, construction litigation and planning-related judicial reviews. The team also advises on property insolvency litigation and service charge disputes. Based in Bournemouth, practice head Lauren Day has experience handling complex contractual disputes for developers along with professional negligence claims and mandates for high-net-worth individuals. She is joined by Florence Newton, who advises on a range of construction and lease disputes.

Acting for a range of investors, occupiers, developers, and private individuals, Harrison Clark Rickerbys is well placed to act in disputes surrounding rent reviews, lease break options, and forfeitures, in addition to boundary disputes and right of way issues. Andrew Walker leads the practice and has extensive experience handling landlord and tenant issues, while Andrew Cave is ‘an experienced property litigator and a safe pair of hands’ and has experience handling issues related to contested probate and wills, among other commercial and professional negligence disputes. Senior associate Kate Hallifax is also noted, especially for dilapidations.

Representing large housebuilders, high-net-worth individuals, commercial tenants and councils, Steele Raymond LLP advises on a wide range of commercial and residential property disputes, including property insolvencies and rights of light claims. The ‘exceptionally client focused‘ David Crockford leads the team from the firm’s Bournemouth office and is highlighted for his specialist knowledge of rights of light and development issues, including covenants and easements. In the same office, Hannah Dare has experience across commercial and residential properties, with Laura Offer regularly acting for landlords and tenants on mandates that involve boundary disputes, restrictive covenants, and adverse possession claims.

Willans LLP has a particularly strong track record in commercial leasehold work, with particular knowledge of tenant-side work in the charity sector. The team also has experience handling a range of commercial landlord matters together with Trust of Land Act claims. Located in Cheltenham, Nick Southwell leads the practice where he regularly advises on lease renewals and real property disputes such as adverse possession of land claims and easements. He is supported by James Melvin-Bath who is particularly experienced in residential possession claims and high-value vehicle disputes. Simon Arneaud is highlighted for advising corporates and private individuals, with Megan Bullingham also being a key name.