I am responsible for the day-to-day operation and development of the Real Estate Litigation practice. I work closely with the practice group leadership to develop and implement strategic initiatives and advance the business development of the team.
To date I have conceived, implemented and monitored various practice improvements designed to transform outcomes for both our team and our clients. My role includes financial management, matter allocation, resourcing (and recruitment) and monitoring best practice across the team. I work closely with BD and other sub-groups to support and deliver initiatives within the team and wider Real Estate group, and to create new opportunities for growth and expansion. I am also responsible for know-how and training for the practice.
Prior to my appointment, I was a Director within the Real Estate Litigation team with over 13 years' experience in contentious real estate matters. I represented developers, property investment companies, institutional investors, retailers and high-net-worth individuals in relation to a broad range of contentious property matters. A key component of my role was the provision of strategic support on complex property transactions, with a view to avoiding and pre-empting disputes, and mitigating risk.
I have considerable experience in assisting and running high-value litigation, having achieved successful outcomes in a number of high-profile property cases in the UK. I have been recognised by Legal 500 for my "exceptionally practical" approach to running large scale disputes.
My experience includes:
- Acting for a British aerospace engine developer on a £multi-million, multi-party TCC dispute relating to an agreement for lease of a testing facility for its space rocket engine technology.
- Acting for international investors in a £50 million professional negligence claim against a law firm relating to the development of a prime London development site.
- Acting for a number of energy clients in obtaining pre-emptive injunctions to protect land interests, supply chains and other commercial interests, in both the High Court and Court of Appeal.
- Acting for a joint venture company in a multi-party TCC claim arising from the negligent installation of a water main on development land.
- Acting for a landowner and developer of a high profile urban regeneration scheme in Stratford to obtain an injunction restraining 'Persons Unknown' from remaining or entering upon parts of the development site for the duration of the development works.
- Advising a multi-national developer on lease termination and re-structuring issues concerning a £1 billion hotel portfolio. The matter concerned the determination of various leasehold and occupational interests affecting various hotels in England and Scotland.
- Acting for the successful party (City of London Corporation) in the reported case of Edwards & Walkden (Norfolk) Limited & others v the City of London (2012) in relation to 51 lease renewal claims at Smithfield market.
