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.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Charlotte McMurchie

Other key lawyers

Sarah Barratt, Jennifer Pearson