England - South West • Real estate

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Counting multinational retailers and media companies among its client roster, the team at Foot Anstey offers an active and broad-based contentious property practice that encompasses commercial, agricultural and residential litigation. The Bristol-based team is headed up by Patrick Wetherall, whose ‘excellent commercial instincts’ have been honed in numerous visits to the Court of Appeal, High Court trials, and arbitrations. Anna Phillips handles a range of contentious work relating to properties belonging to charities and social enterprises. Stephanie Kingdon has significant experience of working with councils, while ‘superstar’ Rachel Small is a key contact for developer and utilities clients. David Benjamin departed in August 2023 to join Estate Legal.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Unique: An individual approach to every issue and client rather than a broad generalist approach. I've found myself recommending Foot Anstey to clients on this basis.' 

  • ‘I readily recommend Rachel on many telecoms jobs because of her manner and expertise. I cannot recommend her enough.'

  • ‘Rachel Small is a superstar. I'd always want her on my side!’

  • ‘A very strong property litigation team with considerable experience in disputes about development land valuations and infrastructure, as well as all the more common types of property litigation.’

  • ‘Patrick Wetherall has excellent commercial instincts and can be relied on to get his clients the best possible result in any property related dispute.’

  • ‘Rachel Small is great. Swift to respond and keeps me updated, fees are sensible and good value.’

  • ‘Steph Kingdon is probably the nicest person I've ever worked with. Genuinely, a pleasure to work with her.’

  • ‘Patrick Wetherall leads this team. He is one of the most experienced and accomplished property litigators in the country.’

Key clients

  • Netflix
  • Beechcroft
  • Berkeley
  • Wales & West Utilities
  • Arch Co
  • Ashfield Land
  • Dandara
  • LSI
  • Wicron
  • HS1 Limited
  • Petrogas
  • Ikea

Work highlights

  • Represented the RTM Company in a hotly disputed right to manage claim in relation to prestigious residential apartments in Spire House, Lancaster Gate, London.
  • Represented the Arch Company Limited in a dispute relating to various breaches of covenant by a commercial tenant, and opposition to a new lease.

Lawyers

Rising stars

Rachel Small

Rachel Small

Foot Anstey

Rachel is an experienced property and estates litigation expert at Foot Anstey. She provides clients with clear, concise, and accurate legal advice, with an appreciation of the nuances between their commercial constraints and desired outcomes. Prior to joining Foot Anstey Rachel previously worked in-house at a large international retailer, so she’s well-placed to understand the difficulties faced internally by some clients. Recently Rachel has advised a number of landowner clients on the effects of the new electronic communications code, dealing with a number of contentious claims with regards to termination, renewal, and modification of new and existing Code agreements. Rachel has also worked on multiple “test” cases under the new electronic communications code being heard at the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal.

Leading individuals

Patrick Wetherall

Patrick Wetherall

Foot Anstey

atrick leads the firm’s developer sector and is Head of Real Estate Group. With expertise in all aspects of commercial property disputes, whether property or landlord and tenant, he has acted on several multi-million pound claims. These relate to development, dilapidations and disrepair, options, agreements to purchase, contractual loss of profits, restrictive covenants, injunctions and easements. Patrick also has extensive Court of Appeal, High Court trial and arbitration experience, and has successfully resolved over 25 matters at mediation. Focused on taking a pragmatic approach to litigation and dispute resolution, Patrick always considers what the client wants and how to get results – whether that be through proactive and forthright litigation or a more conciliatory approach.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Patrick Wetherall

Other key lawyers

Anna Phillips, Stephanie Kingdon, Rachel Small