Property litigation

Hogan Lovells International LLP

In the property litigation arena, Hogan Lovells International LLP offers a ‘first class practice’, and regularly represents cental London developers and major fund managers in high profile and high value disputes. Core workflows of the group include rent review and development disputes. Recognised for his ’outstanding’ service, Mathew Ditchburn heads the team and specialises in complex insolvency-related disputes, and cases relating to distressed real estate. The ‘excellent’ Paul Tonkin advises institutional landlords and retailers on rights of light and vacant possession litigation, while the ’bright’ Katie Dunn focuses on building defects claims. Tim Reid is ‘fantastic’ in high profile insolvency and leasehold enfranchisement matters, whereas Benjamin Willis is regarded as a ’star of the future’, showcasing skill in lease renewal proceedings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Strength in depth - expertise and commerciality throughout the team.'
‘Paul Tonkin - extremely focused and provides timely commercial and practical advice.'
‘This is an absolutely first class practice whose clients include the biggest institutional landlords in the UK. The practice is led by the wonderful Mathew Ditchburn whose experience and dedication to his clients is truly outstanding. Mathew and his team (which, for me, has usually consisted of the excellent Tim Reid and Ben Willis, alongside Mathew) are first rate at this. They bring to every case an enthusiasm and focus which is great to see and a privilege to be party to.'
‘Nobody comes close to Hogan Lovells in terms of creativity of thought and sheer brilliance.’
‘Mathew Ditchburn is a class act: bright, determined, creative and cool under fire. Paul Tonkin is an able second.’
‘One of the best property litigation teams in the UK’
‘Mathew Ditchburn is hugely experienced very bright extremely sensible and a pleasure to work with Paul Tonkin is also excellent, bright and a pleasure to work with Tim Reid is brilliant calm and authoritative Katie Dunn is bright experienced and fights her corner.'
‘The property litigation team at Hogan Lovells are at the top of their game. An extremely effective group of litigators. The quality of partners and associates is consistently high; there are no weak links in this team.'

Key clients

British Land
Landsec
The Crown Estate
Argent (King's Cross Central Limited Partnership)
M&G Real Estate
Oxford University
abrdn
HM Revenue and Customs
Berkeley Homes
Pontegadea
ICG
Curzon Cinemas
The BBC
Macquarie Capital
Columbia Threadneedle
Greystoke Land Limited
Hilton Hotels
SCPI Pierval Santé
Tower 42
Ministry of Justice
Ivanhoe Cambridge
Affinity Water
Baxter Healthcare Group
Aware Super
Westmont Group
JP Morgan
Café Concerto
Shaftesbury Capital

Work highlights

Acted for a freeholder/landlord of the owner of a student accommodation building which has over 450 residents in Nottingham, in a claim against a contractor.
Acted for Macquarie, who owns and controls HNA International Property Investment Company Three Limited, which has a freehold interest in 17 Columbus Courtyard, a large office block at Canary Wharf.
Continuing to act for The Crown Estate and advising on all high value litigation matters across its GBP15bn portfolio.

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