St John’s Chambers is the premier set for contentious property matters on the Western Circuit and remains a go-to for solicitors in the South West and further afield.”

The Legal 500 2024, Real Estate Litigation

St John’s Real Estate team is pre-eminent in the area of real estate litigation on the Western Circuit and in Wales.

We pride ourselves in providing specialist advice and representation across all areas of real estate law. Our approach is friendly, flexible and client-focused and is designed to achieve successful, practical, cost-effective outcomes that serve our clients’ interests. Our members have been described by peers as a “stand-out Bristol set offering expertise in all types of real estate litigation matters”, “easy to work with” and “committed to delivering quality advice on time”.

Our commercial property specialisms include conveyancing disputes, land registration (especially priorities), mortgages, overage clauses, options, and rights of pre-emption.

Our expertise in landlord and tenant disputes covers commercial, agricultural, and public and private sector residential cases. We are regularly instructed in relation to (for example) rent reviews, service charges, assignments/subleases, dilapidations, break notices, forfeiture, and statutory renewals. For agriculture, see our dedicated agricultural and rural affairs section.

We particularly specialise in traditional Land law matters, such as easements (public and private rights of way, rights to light, water rights, etc), highways, profits, restrictive covenants, party walls, boundaries and adverse possession and nuisance (including tree roots, Japanese knotweed & other invasive species, flooding and subsidence), rights of common and manorial rights.

In the wider property sphere we cover property-related disputes as to the ownership of land, especially proprietary estoppel and co-ownership arising from constructive/resulting trusts, and disputes between trustees and beneficiaries. We also cover property-related professional negligence claims involving valuers and legal professionals.

We advise a range of clients including rural estates, local authorities, developers, housing associations and private individuals.

There are 21 members in the team, several of whom are widely regarded as leading individuals in this area. We undertake advisory work and drafting in both litigation-related and non-contentious matters. We appear at all levels of tribunal, from the Supreme Court to the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (in Wales).

Mediation

As the number of cases being dealt with by way of mediation increases, our mediation team are on hand to help, be it by providing the advocates, mediators or both. Our facilities are specifically designed to meet with clients’ needs for a mediation venue. Read more. For our mediation services during the COVID-19 social distancing lockdown please click on the following news item:

St John’s Chambers – remote mediations in wills & trusts, real estate and commercial disputes

Public Access

Some members of the team are also available to act, where appropriate, for members of the public, as well as commercial and non-commercial organisations, under the Public Access scheme. Read more.

Training

The team delivers workshops and seminars in Chambers and regional centres. We also provide training on behalf of local Law Societies and in conjunction with solicitors’ firms. In addition we can give tailored in-house training for particular firms. If you would like any further information please contact Paul Nuttall on 0117 923 4742 or email: [email protected] 

Real Estate Team

alex-troup

Alex Troup KC

  • Call: 1998
  • Silk: 2023

Alex is a chancery barrister who is often instructed in property litigation cases. Some of his property cases overlap with his trust and contentious probate practice, such as proprietary estoppel claims, disputes over the beneficial ownership of property,...

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Richard Stead

  • Call: 1979

One of Chambers’ most senior barristers, Richard has an extensive practice which encompasses personal injury, clinical negligence, professional negligence claims and property damage matters, including a number of high profile cases. Richard’s practice is also complemented by his...

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Charles Auld

  • Call: 1980

Charles has considerable experience dealing with matters including boundary disputes, landlord and tenant work, rights of way, restrictive covenants and registration at HM Land Registry. His work includes: Disputes over land including traditional boundary disputes, restrictive covenants, rights...

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John Sharples

John Sharples

  • Call: 1992

John is very well versed in handling a variety of complex cases, and is frequently instructed on behalf of estates, developers, public authorities as well as private clients. He is ranked as a Star individual in Chambers UK...

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James Pearce Smith

James Pearce-Smith

  • Call: 2002

James, a former solicitor, is an experienced litigator specialising in commercial and real estate matters. He regularly advises in relation to property disputes, often with a commercial flavour, including claims relating to commercial leases. He has acted in numerous claims relating to...

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John Dickinson

John Dickinson

  • Call: 1995

John is a barrister specialising in real estate work including conveyancing disputes, boundaries and easements, in particular disputes over parking and rights of way in both civil and tribunal proceedings and representation in tribunals in relation to adverse...

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Matthew White

Matthew White

  • Call: 1997

The mainstay of Matthew’s practice is personal injury litigation, but he thinks of himself as a “common lawyer” and enjoys cases dealing with other areas of law. In relation to Real Estate he has developed two particular areas...

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Harry Spurr

  • Call: 2001

Harry acts for landowners, local and other public authorities and regulators, individuals, community groups and other parties in relation to a range of disputes concerning land.  He is known in particular for his expertise in highways / public...

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Christopher Jones

Christopher Jones

  • Call: 2004

Head of Real Estate, Christopher has extensive expertise in a wide variety of property issues. Real property Easements: rights of way, rights of support, rights to light and water rights Disputed ownership of land, adverse possession and boundary...

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Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke

  • Call: 2009

Michael regularly acts and advises in real estate matters including the disputed ownership of land, boundary disputes, adverse possession, easements and restrictive covenants. In addition Michael advises upon torts in relation to land, in particular trespass, nuisance and...

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Oliver Wooding

Oliver Wooding

  • Call: 2009

Oliver has a specialist practice that focuses on real estate matters, and is regularly instructed as an advocate, advisor, and mediator in a wide range of disputes. His expertise includes: Landlord & Tenant Oliver is experienced in both...

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Natasha Dzameh

Natasha Dzameh

  • Call: 2010

  Natasha specialises in advising and representing clients on proprietary estoppel and trust claims in relation to land, especially TOLATA claims (including those linked with Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989). She has dealt with numerous cases...

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Charlie Newington Bridges

Charlie Newington-Bridges

  • Call: 2011

Charlie specialises in all areas of real property matters and can advise clients in the following matters: Conveyancing and registration Restrictive covenants and easements Customary rights Adverse possession Boundary disputes Co-ownership Estoppel Mortgages and charges Commercial landlord and...

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Adam Boyle

  • Call: 2012

Adam is a very experienced real estate practitioner and a “go to” barrister in relation to difficult property matters. He is frequently instructed in the full gamut of property cases, including everything from rights of way, to complicated...

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Joss Knight

  • Call: 2014

Joss specialises in real estate matters, and has extensive experience of both commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters. As well as appearing on behalf of both landlord and tenants in lease renewal claims under the 1954 Act;...

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Annie Sampson

Annie Sampson

  • Call: 2015

Annie has experience across the breadth of property and real estate matters, including TOLATA claims, trespass, nuisance, residential landlord and tenant and mortgage possession proceedings, boundary disputes, adverse possession, commercial tenancies and the renewal of business tenancies under...

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Brittany Pearce

Brittany Pearce

  • Call: 2015

Brittany has acted for clients in a range of real property matters, including boundary disputes and adverse possession claims, the enforcement of restrictive covenants and the creation of and interference with easements. Brittany’s focus is on achieving a...

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Daniel Soar

  • Call: 2016

Daniel is a specialist real estate practitioner. He has experience in dealing with applications pursuant to the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996, residential and commercial landlord and tenant matters, business tenancy renewals under the...

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Kayleigh Bloomfield

  • Call: 2021

Kayleigh joined Chambers in October 2022 following the successful completion of her specialist commercial and chancery pupillage. She accepts instructions across all main areas of this practice group. Kayleigh’s pupil supervisors were Charlie Newington-Bridges and Christopher Jones. Kayleigh...

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Ben Harwood

Ben Harwood

  • Call: 2022

Ben joined Chambers in October 2023 following the successful completion of his specialist commercial and chancery pupillage. Ben’s pupil supervisors were James Pearce-Smith, Brittany Pearce, Christopher Jones and Charlie Newington-Bridges. Ben frequently represents clients at small claims and...

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Guy Adams

Guy Adams

  • Call: 1989

Guy is an experienced chancery practitioner with a strong focus on real estate work. His expertise covers commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters as well as development issues. He represents clients at all levels of the court...

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Richard Gold

Richard Gold

  • Call: 2006

Richard specialises in real estate matters, and acts in both residential and commercial property disputes. His areas of expertise include: landlord and tenant disputes; freehold covenants; easements; adverse possession; boundary disputes; trespass/nuisance (including tree root damage); and claims...

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Directory Quotes

The premier set for contentious property matters on the Western Circuit and remains a go-to for solicitors in the South West and further afield. The set boasts a deep roster of barristers with specialist real estate litigation expertise who appear at all levels of the court system, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.”

Chambers UK 2023, Real Estate Litigation

I am always impressed with the prompt responses received via both email and telephone. They are always happy to assist.”

Chambers UK 2023, Real Estate Litigation (Client Service)

Providing advice and advocacy services to clients based across the South West and further afield.’ ‘Members are frequently instructed in contractual disputes and construction-related professional negligence claims, among other “high-value and factually complex” cases.’ “

Chambers UK 2023, Construction

“The clerking is really good.”

Chambers UK 2023, Construction (Client Service)

High-quality set‘, St John’s houses a team with established strength in handling contentious property matters.’ ‘Top quality counsel with in-depth subject knowledge.’ ‘The barristers are approachable, talented and provide a first class service.’ “

Legal 500 2023, Property & Construction

St John’s Chambers is the premier set for contentious property matters on the Western Circuit and remains a go-to for solicitors in the South West and further afield. As one instructing solicitor puts it, ‘the set is the biggest player in the South West and has a really good spread of expertise’.”

Chambers UK 2022, Real Estate

The team is probably one of the best I have dealt with – they cannot do enough for you and they go above and beyond to meet your needs.”

Chambers UK 2022, Real Estate (Client Service)

St John’s Chambers is the strongest chambers in the South West for property work.”

Legal 500 2022, Property and Construction

The premier set for contentious property matters on the Western Circuit, St John’s Chambers remains a go-to for solicitors in the South West and further afield. The set boasts a deep roster of barristers with specialist real estate litigation expertise who appear at all levels of the court system, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.”

Chambers UK 2021, Real Estate

St John’s provides us with an excellent service. All members of chambers are very responsive, eager to help and easy to deal with, offering wide-ranging expertise and presenting their advice in a way which is intelligible to our clients.”

Chambers UK 2021

The clerking is absolutely first-rate and very responsive. I’ve always been impressed with the clerks. They are helpful and have a good understanding of their barristers’ work. They are also understanding of the client’s own personal positions and provide support where they can.”

Chambers UK 2021, Real Estate (Client Service)

St John’s Chambers members appear in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, as well as the new Property and Business Courts in Bristol.”

Legal 500 2021, Property and Construction

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