At Clifford Chance LLP, the ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic’ property litigation team advises on real estate finance cases, property-related insolvency matters, contract disputes, and litigation relating to titles, covenants, and easements. The group lies under the guidance of ’fantastic’ Ben Hatton, who handles landlord and tenant issues, with a concentration in development disputes and professional negligence matters. Jordan Gulwell is a key contact within the practice and is involved in work relating to disrepair disputes and vacant possession strategies.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘We have found the team led by Ben Hatton to be approachable, knowledgeable and pragmatic. They give us the backup to deal with the situation with confidence.'

  • ‘Put simply, whatever the issue you have, they have experience in it. Clifford Chance are a safe pair of hands and are able to advise both sophisticated and non-sophisticated clients alike. Senior members of the team are incredibly responsive and are aware of all of the deal issues - this is not a team where the seniors are AWOL, and everything is left to an associate.’

  • ‘Ben Hatton is fantastic - a friendly and reassuring face, there is nobody better to have in your corner in a stressful situation.’

  • ‘Ben Hatton, Partner and Head of CC's Real Property Litigation Department, has wide experience enabling him to bring a laser-like focus on key issues and to manage his team with wisdom, energy and assurance. He is accessible, courteous and a pleasure to work with. Associate Jordan Gulwell is efficient, thorough and again a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Ben Hatton is careful, thoughtful, and provides measured advice.'

  • ‘Ben Hatton is a capable and commercially astute property litigator.’

Key clients

  • American International Group
  • Anglo Gordon
  • Asphaltic Land Limited
  • Bank of America
  • Canary Wharf Group plc
  • Elliott Management Corporation
  • Flatfair Limited
  • General Electric International
  • GIC Private Limited
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Hammerson plc
  • Heimstaden Bostad AB
  • Helical plc
  • Hemisphere
  • Hondo Enterprises
  • Horizon Nuclear Power Wylfa Limited
  • Incorporated Holdings Limited
  • International Hotel Investments plc
  • King Abdallah District Management & Development Company
  • Menta Developments Ltd
  • Mitsubishi Estate London Limited
  • Native Land
  • Nuveen Real Estate
  • (Official Receiver of) British Steel
  • (Official Receiver of) Cardwool Limited
  • Permira Advisers LLP
  • Prodigy Finance
  • Rothesay Life plc
  • Standard Chartered Bank
  • THM Partners LLP
  • Wells Fargo Bank
  • Zetland Capital Investors LLP

Work highlights

  • Advised Helical Plc in relation to a vacant possession strategy for 100 New Bridge Street in London, including planning the relevant break option procedures.
  • Acted for a leading hotel operator in Central London in relation to a claim against the developers of a nearby Government premises, involving complaints of noise nuisance and rights of light.
  • Advising Rothesay Life Plc in respect of dilapidation issues, tenant default and rent arrears.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ben Hatton

Other key lawyers

Jordan Gulwell