The property litigation team at Shoosmiths LLP is well-equipped to handle disputes that arise from the transfer of properties, and landlord and tenant issues, such as high-value dilapidation claims. Kirsty Black, hailed as ‘the queen of work for retailers’, leads the team from the Manchester office. Ashona Chakraborty is recommended for her ’efficiency and experience’.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘What a fantastic team! Top quality through and through. Excellent clients, legal analysis and client care.’

  • ‘Ashona Chakraborty is highly recommended, making her way up in the property sphere - I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her for her efficiency and experience.’

  • ‘Competent and responsive, offering common sense advice.’

  • ‘The individuals I have worked with in the property litigation team, most notably Sophie Tracey, are responsive, highly capable and client-focused.’

  • ‘A partner-led team we call on when we need expertise and get the proper resource every time.’

  • ‘Kirsty Black is an excellent lawyer.’

  • ‘Kirsty Black is the queen of work for retailers, especially household names. She justifiably inspires confidence from the most demanding of clients.’

Key clients

  • Allied London LLP
  • Anywl Homes
  • Anywl Land Limited
  • Anwyl Construction
  • Bellway Homes
  • Bolton Council
  • Buccleuch Group
  • Cole Waterhouse
  • Countryside Partnerships
  • Dixons Carphone
  • Estee Lauder Cosmetics
  • Euro Garages
  • Frasers Group
  • Henry Boot Developments
  • Holland and Barratt
  • Humberside Airport
  • Landmark Investments
  • Mountain Warehouse
  • Muse Developments
  • Peel Group
  • Property Alliance Group
  • Select Property Group
  • Shoezone Retail Limited
  • St Modwen Properties Plc
  • Taylor Wimpey
  • The Restaurant Group
  • Travelodge Hotels Limited
  • Walgreen Boots Alliance
  • Wain Homes

Work highlights

  • Advised numerous occupier clients, including Frasers and Boots, on their strategy to deal with RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) across their portfolios.
  • Acted for the administrators of Wilko to deal with the property aspects arising out of the administration including dealing with the solicitors acting for Poundland and B&M who both took numerous stores out of the administration.
  • Advising Hallam Land on preventing a Just Stop Oil protest from derailing a multi-million pound development.

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.

Kirsty Black

Other key lawyers

Ashona Chakraborty, Sophie Tracey, Emily Holt, Anjali Patel