Gatehouse Chambers acts on a broad range of property disputes. Core areas of focus for the team include commercial leases, development and mortgages, and the set has particular strength in advising on matters crossing over with its broader professional negligence expertise. Recent case highlights include Brie Stevens-Hoare KC acting on behalf of the respondent in the Supreme Court in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd v Blacks Outdoor Retail, an appeal involving issues of liability for disputed service charge payments and interpretation of service charge provision in commercial leases. In another matter, John de Waal KC and Gemma de Cordova appeared before the Court of Appeal in FSV Freeholders v SGL1 Ltd, concerning the validity of an offer notice under section 5 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 and the tenants' rights of first refusal. Additionally, Jamal Demachkie appeared before the Court of Appeal in Prescott Place Freeholders Ltd & Ors v Batin & Donovan, a case involving the issue of whether an order made pursuant to section 19 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 was in interest in land or created solely personal rights and obligations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'James Duncan-Hartill is an absolute delight.'
  • 'Patrick Sarson is brilliant to deal with.'
  • 'Gatehouse has a very good set of junior barristers and has become our go to for any possession matters we are instructed on.'
  • 'They have a range of high quality barristers, supported by a fantastic clerks' room.'
  • 'Gatehouse are a fantastic set; they have great experience and depth across real estate disputes.'
  • 'The clerks are second to none.'

Lawyers

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1
Brie Stevens-Hoare KC
'Brie is a star and highly respected in the field of property litigation. She is a great advocate, calm and measured but firm.'
2
John de Waal KC
He is oil on troubled waters when the tension is rising in litigation, and can take the heat out of situations easily.'

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.

1
Jamal Demachkie
Jamal is an outstanding property litigation counsel. In court he is poised but assertive.’
3
Emily Betts
A responsive junior with deep legal knowledge.’
3
Gemma de Cordova
Gemma is a force to be reckoned with. She is tenacious in the courtroom and stands her ground. She is also incredibly good with the lay client and gains their confidence at the outset.’
3
Daniel Gatty
His quiet and calm manner belies a sharp intellect, impressive attention to detail and real team spirit.’ 
4
John Clargo
‘An exceptional advocate who is extremely knowledgeable. His written work is first rate.'
4
Katrina Mather
xcellent technical advice and fantastic commercial considerations.’
4
Lina Mattsson
‘Lina is a tenacious and determined litigator. She fights her clients' corner hard.'
4
Faisel Sadiq
Faisel communicates effectively and persuasively in court. His advice is clear and well-reasoned.'
4
Laura Tweedy
‘Laura is a formidable strategist. She gets on top of the detail immediately and provides considered and commercial advice on how to run the case and achieve the client's objectives.'
5
Clare Anslow
‘Clare is a tenacious advocate. She is clear and commanding on her feet.’
5
John Beresford
‘John's legal analysis is excellent. He does not take bad points or waste time. His advocacy is measured, calm and thorough.'
5
Carl Brewin
‘Carl has a serene manner, and remains unfazed in every case.'
5
Jack Dillon
is a very calm and confident advocate, who does not demur from assertively defending difficult positions in court when he has to but always with charm and a level of experience beyond his year of call.'
5
Amanda Eilledge
5
Monty Palfrey
‘Monty is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of property law and conveys that knowledge both lucidly and persuasively.'
5
David Peachey
An exemplary barrister.’
5
Peter Petts
5
Andrew Skelly
A formidable advocate. He has the ability to expose dissembling and prevarication with devastating effect.’
5
Cameron Stocks
‘Cameron's advocacy is very direct and authoritative.’
5
Steven Woolf
‘Steven is exceptionally versatile and knowledgeable, and has a great talent for dissecting and disseminating information into a comprehensible, readily accessible format.'

Rising stars

Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.

1
Byroni Kleopa
‘Byroni offers practical advice that goes to the heart of a dispute.’