Property Litigation

Our Property Litigation team has the experience and expertise to provide the swift and practical advice needed for the resolution of a broad range of property related disputes.

The team acts for a wide range of clients including investors, developers or occupiers, working closely with our transactional lawyers to anticipate and resolve problems before they become litigious or to ensure that our clients are best placed to obtain a successful outcome, if they do.

A flexible and commercial approach is always taken to the resolution of disputes by way of Court or tribunal proceedings, arbitration, third party determination, mediation or negotiation, as may be appropriate to the individual case.

The team regularly acts in a wide variety of property disputes:-

  • Dilapidations and other breaches of covenant;
  • Forfeiture and possession claims;
  • Tenant default and insolvency;
  • 1954 Act business lease renewals;
  • Options to break;
  • Service charge disputes;
  • Leasehold enfranchisement;
  • Overage payments and deferred consideration;
  • Adverse possession and village greens;
  • Rights of light and party wall matters; and
  • Rights of way and restrictive covenants.

Following John Muncey's retirement in March 2021, Adam Colenso took over the lead of Wedlake Bell LLP's property litigation team, which recently expanded its charity offering with the hiring of commercial disputes partner Jonathan Hibberts from Fladgate LLP in February 2021. Both Colenso and Hibberts specialise in commercial landlord and tenant litigation and act for property investors and landlords, developers and occupiers, while development-related work also accounts for a significant portion of their workload. Expertise in telecoms sector work, where the team acts for developers, and cladding-related issues faced by lessees complement this offering.

Legal 500, 2022

They combine sound legal knowledge with carefully thought-out strategy to achieve the best outcome for their clients. They leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of a favourable resolution of a dispute from their clients’ point of view, whether in court/arbitration, in mediation or in negotiation.

Legal 500, 2022

Unlike some firms, they do not seek to litigate for the sake of it or seek to run up costs by being overly aggressive or unrealistic and rushing to trial.

Legal 500, 2022

Extremely knowledgeable. Good on both legal arguments and practical issues.

Legal 500, 2022

Willing to go the extra mile for clients. Very focused on obtaining the best outcome for clients by reaching practical solutions and giving realistic advice from the outset.

Legal 500, 2022