Property litigation

Muckle LLP

Muckle LLP’s property litigation department works closely with the firm’s agriculture and estates, broader real estate, and private client teams to provide a multidisciplinary offering spanning the full range of contentious property issues. Charlotte McMurchie oversees the department and has a broad property litigation practice spanning both residential and commercial landlord matters, breaches of covenant work, and renewal claims. The ‘brilliant’ Sarah Barratt is highly regarded for her landlord and tenant expertise; Barratt takes point on social housing and contentious residential tenancy matters, as well as housing disrepair claims. Also in the core team is Jennifer Pearson, noted for her particular focus on commercial real estate disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Sarah Barratt has a wealth of experience in this field, and her advice and style are always pragmatic and client-focused.'
'Charlotte McMurchie knows her stuff - she gets the client needs and the fact we are looking for solutions to problems.'
'Jennifer Pearson is extremely personable and a joy to work with. She has excellent client handling skills and is not afraid to give difficult advice where necessary to do so in the client's interests.'
'Good practical advice with client-focused solutions at a similar cost to what our clients would expect.'
'From my first conversation with Muckle, I felt comfortable talking to them and got the impression they cared.'
'I have found the team very user-friendly and pleasant to deal with.'
'I have felt in very safe hands with Sarah Barratt, in her advice and drafting in relation to a property litigation matter. Sarah is very helpful, professional at all times and always responds to my calls and emails quickly. She is great at explaining situations and offering options.'
'Sarah Barratt has a very calm and reassuring manner. She gives great service. Her advice is always pragmatic with a commercial focus. Charlotte McMurchie leads the team in a way that balances legal and commercial needs. Charlotte is very professional and I feel confident with advice given when dealing with complex issues when she is involved.'

Key clients

Hays Travel Limited
Vertu Motors plc
Bernicia Group
Luxury Leisure (t/a Admiral Casinos)
Grainger plc
MRP Land
3T Energy
Wildheart Residential Management Limited
Station Hotel (Newcastle) Limited (part of the Cairn Group)
Newcastle College Group
Kitwave
Places for People
Prime Property Management Limited
Gentoo Group Limited
Retirement Bridge Management Limited
East Durham College
Kans and Kandy

Work highlights

Advising a property development and investment group on vacant possession strategies across multiple development sites in the UK, to include advice as to tenancy status of various occupiers and the service of break notices, notices to quit, notices under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, and notices under the Telecoms Code.
Instructed by Persimmon Homes Limited which is purchasing Sunnyside Farm for development purposes.
Acting for Bernicia Group in relation to a range of tenancy issues, including seeking possession on a number of Housing Act 1988 grounds, trespass, succession, and anti-social behaviour issues.