Leslie Blohm QC Joint Deputy Head of Chambers
Call 1982 (Lincoln’s Inn) (QC 2006)
Qualifications MA (Oxon), Hardwicke and Jenkins Scholar of Lincolns Inn (1982)
Professional Memberships Member of Chancery Bar Association, PEBA
Judicial Office Recorder 2003, Deputy High Court Judge (Chancery) 2008
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Area of Practice
Leslie Blohm is a barrister practicing in the area of commercial and chancery litigation with a strong emphasis on property and landlord and tenant law.
Real Property
Leslie has extensive expertise in a wide variety of property issues, acting for a range of clients from private individuals to substantial corporations. He regularly acts in relation to property disputes involving overlaps into other specialist areas of law, such as partnership, insolvency and company law.
Leslie also sits as an informal inspector advising registration authorities on applications to register land as a village green.
Specific areas of expertise
- sale of land
- restrictive covenants
- mortgages
- licences
- easements
- commons & village greens
- torts relating to land
Reported Cases
- Odey v Barber [2008] Ch 165 (Easement by prescription – effect of unsolicited permission)
- Bakewell Management v Brandwood & Ors. [2004] AC 519 (HL) (Illegality and Rights of Way)
- Cardwell v Walker [2004] 2 P&CR 9 (Transmission of Burden of Positive Obligations)
- Bettison v Penter [2000] Ch 54(CA); [2002] 1 AC 27 (HL)(Assignability of Rights of Common)
- Freund v Charles Scott Development Ltd [2002] 2 P&CR 31 (CA) (Exercise of Options)
- Jones v Welsh Water [1997] 37 RVR 46 (Calculation of Hope Value on Acquisition)
- Jalnarne v Ridewood [1989] 61 P+CR 143 (Excessive use of Easement)
Landlord and Tenant
- Rent Reviews
- Dilapidations Claims
- Commercial Lease Construction
Reported Cases
- Gloucester City Council v Brown [1998] 1EGLR 95 (Rent Review) (CA)
- Dame Margaret Hungerford v Beazeley [1993] 2EGLR 143 (Dilapidations) (CA)
- Wessex Reserve Forces & Cadet Association v White [2006] 1 EGLR 55 (CA); [2005] 3 EGLR 127 (landlord’s right to obtain possession where he wishes to demolish tenant’s fixtures on holding)
- Mason V Boscawen [2008] EWHC 3100 (Ch) (‘Rent’ includes VAT under Agricutlural Holdings Act 1986). Article reported by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and by BAILII.
- Mason v.Boscawen [2009] 1 All ER 1006 (VAT payable on rent is ‘rent’ under Agricultural Holdings Act 1986)
Equity Trusts, Wills and Probate
- Including administration of estates and trusts, construction issues and claims under the Inheritance Act and Trusts of Land Act.
Mobile Homes
Reported Cases
- Warfield Park Homes Ltd v Warfield Park Residents Association [2006] EWCA Civ. 283 (CA)
- Tapsell v Cemery [1995] 27 HLR 114 (Owners Motive to Terminate Agreement) (CA)
- I v Group Leisure [1993] CLY 4135 (Gift of Mobile Home by Will to Charity)
- Ford v Morrison [1997] CLY 4245 (Whether Employee Falls within Mobile Homes Act 1983)
Professional Negligence
- Solicitors – Property & Conveyancing (including mortgage lending
Commercial Litigation
Reported Cases
- Trustees of Stokes Pension Fund v Western Power Distribution [2005] 1 WLR 3595 (Costs: Effect of offer to settle) (CA)
Breach of Party Wall Procedure
Reported Cases
- Hough v Annear [2008] 119 Con LR 57 County Court. Failure to comply with s.3 of the Party Wall Act during the construction of an extension did not constitute a separate cause of action for breach of statutory duty.
Taxation
Leslie has appeared in landmark decisions in the High Court and the Court of Appeal concerning the effect and imposition of Value Added Tax.
Reported Cases
- Mason v. Boscawen [2009] STC 624 (VAT as rent)
- Warfield Park (Owners) v. Warfield Park (Residents) [2006] EWCA Civ. 283 (Imposition of VAT on pitch fees)
Recommendations
Chambers UK 2010
- Agriculture & Rural Affairs: Leading silk Leslie Blohm QC of St John’s Chambers is a rural expert with a renowned specialism in village green applications and he sits as an inspector in town and village green inquiries. He has a strong profile in the region, with peers commenting that “he instils absolute confidence in me as an instructing solicitor and with clients.” Others mention: “I can’t speak more highly of him. He is a thoroughly understanding, capable person – I know I’ll get 100% with him.” He receives unanimous praise from those with whom he has worked and is famed for his sensitivity, as well as his subtle and clever style of advocacy. He recently represented Bristol City Council as landowner in resisting the application for registration of Castle Park, 12 acres of land in the centre of Bristol slated for multimillion-pound redevelopment.
- Chancery: Leslie Blohm QC is the joint deputy head of St John’s Chambers. He maintains a strong commercial and chancery practice, and is noted for his particular expertise in property, landlord and tenant law. “Definitely one of the best around, he is the man to go to if you have a peculiarly difficult case.” Solicitors particularly like him as he “offers clear advice, is always very commercial and understands the pressures those instructing him are under.”
- Commercial Dispute Resolution: Leslie Blohm QC, who is a “class silk and a very strong academic lawyer.” He is described as a “very polished, forceful advocate, who makes his points subtly and applies very strong legal analysis to everything he does.” He has had a successful year, advising local authorities and some commercial developers. One recent case for him involved a multimillion-pound abuse of office damages claim by a local authority.
Chambers UK 2009
- Agriculture & Rural Affairs: Leslie Blohm QC of St John’s Chambers is fêted for his sensitive approach to often fraught cases and his “fantastic understanding of the farming industry and its financial problems.” With a background in property litigation and landlord and tenant law, Blohm is a trusted adviser on the registration of village greens and has acted in a number of land tribunals in recent years. He is applauded for his service, with clients noting that he is “approachable and doesn’t talk over your head.” Blohm is also noted for his outstanding advocacy skills, and “can take the other side to pieces, without them realising before it’s too late.”
- Chancery: Leslie Blohm QC of St John’s Chambers: “extremely clever but also calm, client-friendly and a super advocate,” Blohm’s practice is focused on property and commercial matters. He recently handled a multimillion-pound cohabitee claim.
- Commercial Dispute Resolution: Leslie Blohm QC provides “pragmatic solutions to difficult problems” and is lauded for both his court and advisory work. He recently represented Bristol City Council in a high-value claim and is commended for the “skilled, forceful manner” he applies to property litigation cases.
Legal 500 2009
- St John’s Chambers’ Leslie Blohm QC, combines a commercial, chancery, and property law practice.
