Property litigation

Gowling WLG

Routinely advising on major litigation claims relating to rights of light, dilapidation disputes and breaches of land sale agreements, Gowling WLG demonstrates an ‘in depth knowledge’ on the whole spectrum of property litigation. With experience acting on behalf of multinational housebuilders, local authorities and distribution network operators, the West Midland’s offering is headed by Paul Barker, a specialist in complex retail and leisure property matters. Rob Bridgman is knowledgeable in landlord and tenant claims, whilst David Wigy focuses primarily on adverse possession cases and planning injunctions. The whole team is based out of Birmingham.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The Gowling WLG Prop Lit team provides skill and experience at all necessary levels to suit all of a client's needs, and manage to combine this with the practicality needed to manage the wide variety of issues which arise on a large retail estate. Importantly, this comes with the friendliness and approachability which is essential in building relationships and a desire to solve problems.'
‘The team is led and managed by partner Rob Bridgman. Rob has the perfect skill set of technical excellence, pragmatism, problem solving costs awareness and huge approachability, all combined with an extraordinary work ethic. An excellent team leader and teacher for those who would follow him and who are carefully chosen to mirror his approach.’
‘The Gowling team is absolutely excellent. A great pleasure to work with all of them always. Their true expertise and superb client care places this team head and shoulders above Birmingham competitors and many London firms. Gowling has fantastic partners and true strength and depth.'
‘A very well-respected team offering high quality specialist property litigation. They have an impressive rota of clients.’
‘Paul Barker is a standout partner in my view. He works extremely hard to deliver positive outcomes for clients. He is astute and clever and has comprehensive knowledge of all things property.'
‘The team has a brilliant and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of property litigation and a real focus on achieving a commercial outcome. The team is engaged and responsive and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Paul Barker and David Wigy stand out as excellent in both their knowledge of the area, and their ability to combine that knowledge with a commercial approach to achieve the best possible outcome for the client.’
‘A proactive team, who are commercial and decisive in their advice, with a strong knowledge of the law and who pay attention to detail.'

Key clients

NFU Mutual Insurance Society
Persimmon Homes
Royal London
Zurich/Columbia Threadneedle Investments
Bloor Homes Limited
Schroder UK Property Fund and Schroder Retail Property Unit Trust
Mucklow
Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited
Transport for London
Entain Group (which includes Ladbrokes and Coral)
Cellnex/On Tower UK Limited
Landsec
LaSalle Investment Management
London Borough of Barnet
Taylor Wimpey UK Limited
St Modwen
Telefonica Limited

Work highlights

Acting for Fortytwo House SARL, a subsidiary of HB Reavis, in relation to a multi-million pound rights of light dispute.
Acting for Telefonica in a ground-breaking (and rare) renewal of a code agreement under Paragraph 20 of the Telecoms Code.
Continuing to advise institutional investors and funds on portfolio management, including high profile clients Columbia Threadneedle, NFU Mutual, Royal London, LaSalle Investment Management, NILGOSC, HSBC Pension Trust, M&G, Industrials UK LP and USS.