Acting for charities, social housing providers, and commercial asset managers, BDB Pitmans is proficient in handling commercial, residential, and agricultural property disputes. The group also acts on landlord and tenant matters, residential possession, and service charge claims. Simon Painter steers the practice with experience in real estate insolvency and professional negligence claims. Aoife Murphy advises on restrictive covenant cases and adverse possession claims, Katie Smith covers dilapidations and disrepairs, while Judith Smyth concentrates on complex vacant possession strategies and asset management concerns.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘BDB Pitmans are a go-to firm in London for property disputes, especially those concerning real property and land registration.'
‘Judith Smyth displayed an exceptional level of attention to detail in relation to the legal and factual issues involved.’
‘BDB Pitmans has excellent work across property litigation.’
‘Katie Smith is excellent, juggling a range of practice areas. Her client care is excellent. Simon Painter is also very good.’
‘The firm provides offers a very high level of expertise and competence in development work.’
‘The firm has great strength in depth, although I would particularly single out Judith Smyth for her industry, brightness and commercial acumen.’
‘Great team across the board, strong and deep and leave nothing uncovered.’
‘Aoife Murphy is a hero, effortlessly brilliant.’
Key clients
- Clarion Housing Group
- The Ministry of Defence
- Fred Perry Limited
- Able Humber Ports
- Smurfit Kappa UK
- The National Grid
- City & Country Group Plc
- Bank of Ireland
- Peel Holdings / The Manchester Ship Canal Company Ltd
- Kurt Geiger
Work highlights
- Acted for The Manchester Ship Canal Company in its appeal before the Supreme Court, which questioned whether a watercourse owner had private law rights in trespass or nuisance to sue utility companies for damages for unauthorised discharges of untreated sewage into watercourses.
- Acted for Nuffield Health in its successful defence in the Supreme Court of the London Borough of Merton’s challenge to the client’s eligibility for business rates relief due to its charitable status.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Simon Painter