Teacher Stern LLP

Litigation

Jim joined Teacher Stern as a partner in May 2013 as part of the merger with Butcher Burns, where he had been a partner since 2003.

Jim has many years’ experience of advising on a wide range of property and landlord and tenant issues, acting for both landlords and tenants.

Jim has particular expertise in the niche and technical area of the law of leasehold enfranchisement (purchase/sale of freeholds and extension of leases of flats and houses), having specialised in this field since qualification in 1992 and in particular since the significant expansion of leaseholders` rights in relation to flats introduced by the Leasehold Reform Act 1993. He acted for the successful leaseholders in the Court of Appeal in 41-60 Albert Palace Mansions (Freehold) Ltd v Craftrule Ltd [2010], which gave tenants of adjoining blocks of flats greater flexibility and opportunities in collectively purchasing the freeholds of their blocks. He also acted for the tenant in Boss Holdings Limited (Appellants) v Grosvenor West End Properties and others (Respondents) [2008] in its successful appeal to the House of Lords concerning the definition of a house under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967.

Jim also has expertise in the related area of rights of first refusal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.

Jim additionally advises both landlords and tenants in all other areas of residential landlord and tenant issues, including: service charge cases, disputes concerning breaches of covenant, possession and forfeiture proceedings and possession actions under the Housing and Rent Act legislation.

Whilst Jim’s practice area is predominantly in relation to residential property he also advises in relation to commercial landlord and tenant issues including lease renewals under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954

Partner, Teacher Stern Partner, Butcher Burns Partner Comptons Solicitor, Comptons

Jim is a member of the Property Litigation Association.