Praised by clients for its ‘good mix of private client and public sector experience’, Ashfords LLP's broad capabilities are brought to bear on commercial landlord and tenant disputes, development and investment work, and constructive trusts claims, among other matters. Practice head James Hemsley advises various clients - including banks and multinationals - on a range of contentious property and property insolvency matters. Sian Gibbon‘s practice includes equitable proprietary remedies, while Victoria Bonnet leads on many of the team’s professional negligence claims. 'Experienced litigator’ Robert Nicholson and the ’cerebral’ Warren Reid are additional names to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Victoria Bonnet is a tenacious litigator; willing to put the extra hours in to get the most out of her cases’
‘James Hemsley is a pragmatic and no-nonsense partner who sees the bigger picture for clients; Sophie Michaelides is a great solicitor with a super client care skills and a great attention to detail’
‘The team is very able and has strength in depth from partner to junior solicitor levels. It is capable of litigating substantial real estate disputes.’
‘James Hemsley is a superb partner and manages his team extremely well. Warren Reid is also very able. Sophie Michaelides is an absolute star and has an extremely promising career ahead of her.’
‘They have a good geographical reach for a firm based in the South West, and can provide a service on a level of experience and expertise of larger firms.’
‘Rob Nicholson is very pleasant to deal with, but tough with it. A very experienced litigator with great tactical judgement.'
'Sian Gibbon is very experienced and knowledgeable.'
'Warren Reid brings a very cerebral and thoughtful approach to his cases, and a pleasure to work with. Very sound judgement.'

Key clients

London Gateway (LG Park Leasehold Limited)
Watford Borough Council
Torbay Council
London Borough of Southwark
Bristol City Council
The Guinness Partnership Limited
London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond
St Mungo
Pinnacle Group Limited
London Borough of Lambeth
Brick by Brick Limited
CDS (Superstores International) Limited ("the Range")
University of Plymouth
State Credit and Investment Limited
Courtenay Group of Companies
Key West Holdings Limited
West of England Developments
Lone Eagle Retail Limited
Wood & Wood International Signs Limited
Allianz Global Corporate and Speciality
Subway Realty Limited
TJX UK Ltd

Work highlights

Advised LG Park Leasehold Limited about options for ending the leases and the likely effect of the administration on the tenant’s obligations under the leases prior to determination.
Assisted the London Borough of Southwark in recovering possession of a telecom site which the Council needed to demolish.
Advised the London Borough of Wandsworth on obtaining possession of a large commercial premises that had been occupied by two guardians.