England - South East • Real estate
Counting major property investors, HNWIs, and local authorities amongst its key clients, Cripps’ property dispute resolution team has extensive expertise in property insolvency and residential leasehold enfranchisement. Operating out of Tunbridge Wells, Miles Paffard leads the team, deploying his ‘encyclopaedic knowledge’ to work on opposed business lease renewals, service charge disputes, and dilapidations. Mike Scott is a ’first-rate litigator’, regularly handling contract disputes and development agreement issues, while Nitej Davda concentrates on residential and commercial landlord and tenant disputes. Having been promoted to partner in May 2022, Richard Housley focuses on issues concerning easements and covenants. In early 2024, the firm merged with Horsham-based firm PDT Solicitors, which added the expertise of Gail Morris, Craig Burton, James Clewlow and James Clewlow.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We have been dealing with the firm on various matters for many years and found all the practitioners to be extremely talented in their various fields. Their strength also lies in the fact that they are very responsive and commercially minded. Billing is very transparent to avoid any confusions in fees, a problem which we have never had with the firm.’
‘I found Richard Housley to be very responsive, reliable, prompt and with excellent commercial knowledge in the field and with a commercial mindset when giving advice to avoid undue legal costs. His communication was easily understood.'
‘Cripps are far and away the number one property team in the South East. Their property litigation knowledge is second to none and that is combined with a commercial sensibility which focuses on the best outcome for the client. Beyond that, they are without exception a really nice group of people to deal with. From a professional perspective everyone is respected and listened to, and although they can be tough in negotiations, they are never anything but professional and courteous.’
‘Miles Paffard is an exceptional lawyer with an encyclopaedic knowledge. His acumen is first class and he always brings a clear tactical focus to cases.'
Leading individuals
Nitej's specialist areas of practice are construction disputes (including disputes arising out of contractor insolvency), landlord and tenant claims (including the impact of insolvency on the landlord and tenant relationship), development based litigation, disputes concerning easements, covenants and adverse possession as well as property and construction related professional negligence.
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Miles Paffard