Our property litigation work is wide-ranging and includes advice and representation in freehold, leasehold, tort-based and contractual disputes, before a variety of courts and tribunals:

• Easements, especially access/private rights of way and light.
• Profits-à-prendre, especially sporting rights.
• Restrictive and positive covenants: enforcement; and modification/discharge of restrictive covenants pursuant to s.84 Law of Property Act 1925.
• Adverse possession and boundary disputes: registered and unregistered land; dispossession and proprietary estoppel.
• Disputes relating to title and trusts.
• Party Wall etc Act 1996.
• Trespass and nuisance, including environmental claims.
• Possession proceedings.

• Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, Part II.
• Dilapidations, reinstatement of alterations and statutory liability.
• Rent review.
• Breach of covenant and forfeiture/relief.
• Residential: Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 and Rent Act 1977 tenancies; assured (shorthold) tenancies under the Housing Act 1988 as amended; disrepair claims; local authority housing.
• Agricultural: Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 and Farm Business Tenancies/Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995.
• Local authority gypsy and traveller sites.
• Possession Proceedings.

• Misrepresentation and undue influence claims relating to sale of property.
• Professional negligence, in particular related to the sale and purchase of property.
• Slander of title.
• Breach of contract claims for unpaid commission.

Many of the property disputes in which we act and advise landholders, whether public authorities or private undertakings, have a public law element. Examples include:

• Heritage property regulation and use, including disputes over guardianship of monuments.
• Reservoirs Act 1975 and Flood and Water Management Act 2010 controls on lakes, reservoirs and dams.
• Obligations as to maintenance and rebuilding of piers.
• Railway Regulations Act 1842 and Railway Clauses Consolidation Act 1845; Light Railways Acts 1896 and 1912; rights of entry for works and compensation; compulsory purchase and accommodation works.
• SSSI designation and regulation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
• Powers of entry and works by statutory undertakers pursuant to the Water Industry Act 1991.
• Applications to DEFRA for permission for works to and fencing of common land and pursuant to the Commons Act 2006.