Expertise
Adam specialises in a wide range of property litigation including claims for breach of covenant and forfeiture, dilapidations, lease renewals, rent reviews and service charge disputes. He has a particular expertise in leasehold enfranchisement matters.
He regularly undertakes possession claims, disputes relating to protected tenancies, boundary disputes, adverse possession litigation and claims relating to rights of way and other easements. Adam also deals with ToLATA disputes, nuisance claims and litigation relating to public houses.
Recent Experience
- Emergency Exit Easement dispute in relation to commercial premises in Ashford, Kent.
- Application for modification of restrictive covenant under s.84(1) of the Law of Property Act 1925 in respect of property in prestigious Surrey estate.
- Party Wall Act Award Appeal Hearing in Central London County Court.
- Judicial Review of a decision to reject a Town and Village Green Application.
- Professional Negligence Claim against solicitors who failed to complete the acquisition of a development site in South London.
- Business Lease Renewal Claim for large site with public sector tenants in South-East London.
Career History
Adam took a History degree at Newcastle University and a Masters degree at York University. Thereafter he completed the CPE law conversion and qualified as a barrister at the Inns of Court School of Law in 2001. He was a partner at Cumberland Ellis from November 2006 and joined Wedlake Bell LLP from Cumberland Ellis in April 2012 when the firms merged.
Publications
“Turning the Lights Off” 17 October 2014 article in Building relating to rights of light and section 237 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
“Fair and loathing”, Solicitors Journal, 15 November 2011.
“Supreme Court to Decide how unmarried couple divides ownership of their home”, The Times, 28 April 2011.
“Kernott v Jones – Guidance and the case for reform” Resolution Review 148, September/October 2010.
“Playing House”, Solicitors Journal, 29 July 2010.
"I mainly work with Adam Colenso. He is insightful, very knowledgeable, extremely diligent, leaves no stone unturned. Also an extremely good judge and tactician."
— Legal 500, 2023
"Adam Colenso is a brilliantly good lawyer. The solicitor I would want most to instruct me on a covenant case. He is technically totally on the ball and is astute and intelligent in his approach to trial preparation."
— Legal 500, 2023
"Adam Colenso is incredibly thorough and leaves no stone unturned in attempting to obtain the best possible outcome for his clients."
— Legal 500, 2022
"Adam Colenso is extremely impressive in both his knowledge of the law and his ability to apply it to the facts of any given case and, based on that, to give sound, sensible advice."
— Legal 500, 2022
"I work particularly with Adam Colenso. He is one of my best instructing solicitors. He is extremely thorough and always well-prepared. He is also extremely responsive and quick to deal with any queries I raise. His knowledge of the law is superb and so he always asks me insightful questions. He also has very good tactical judgments."
— Legal 500, 2021
"Adam Colenso is an outstanding lawyer. His commercial/strategic judgement is superb. He is calm and easy to work with. If he is running a case, you know that everything will go smoothly."
— Legal 500, 2021
"We were fortunate to secure the best legal team in the country (Vivian Chapman QC and Wedlake Bell LLP solicitors) which certainly helped to level the playing field" (Congleton Chronicle on 24 March 2016) Bobby Bell - original applicant in the Town and Village Green Application the decision of Cheshire East BC in which was successfully judicially reviewed under Adam's conduct."
"The ‘excellent’ Adam Colenso regularly handles leasehold enfranchisement work"
— Legal 500, 2017
Insights
REFUSAL WITHOUT A CAUSE?
Insights
TRIPLEROSE SMELLS SWEET FOR LANDLORDS
Insights
“Can the landowner evict tenants from a residential caravan site?” – Adam Colenso comments for The Guardian
Insights