Tanfield Chambers

Property litigation

Tom Carpenter-Leitch practices within most areas of property law, with a particular emphasis on real property and landlord & tenant negotiations. This includes TOLATA claims, adverse possession, easements, covenants and conveyancing issues and, in the landlord & tenant sphere, lease renewals and service charge disputes.

A particular area of interest is the point of intersection of property law with insolvency or company law. Examples include: all aspects of bona vacantia, disclaimer and vesting orders; fractional property ownership collective investment schemes; the workings of residents’ management companies and tenant owned freehold companies following enfranchisement – with or without a shareholder participation agreement.

Tom has built-up a niche area of expertise within insolvency law, relating to both corporate and personal matters. He has a wide knowledge in the field and regularly acts in relation to administrations, liquidations, bankruptcies, directors disqualification proceedings, administrative or other receiverships, individual or company voluntary arrangements, and partnership insolvencies. He is equally comfortable advising insolvency office-holders and creditors as he is with directors and debtors. Linked to this, Tom advises on charges and their priorities and company law.

In addition to these core specialisms, Tom also has a varied business, commercial and modern chancery practice (including trusts and probate).

Tom had a previous career as a chartered accountant. Having worked for two of the top five international accountancy firms and qualified as an insolvency practitioner, he brings over ten years of prior experience to his practice at the Bar. He also advises in professional negligence cases involving accountants and solicitors.

Tom has lectured on insolvency and data protection law. He is a contributor to all editions of the book Service Charges & Management (Sweet & Maxwell – 2009 onwards)

Year of call: 2002

Lincoln's Inn: Buchanan Prize 2001

Nottingham Law School: Taylor Prize 2001

Member, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

Member, Property Bar Association

St John’s College, Cambridge - MA (Cantab, St John's College)