David is a property litigation lawyer and Solicitor Advocate with more than 20 years’ experience advising in disputes involving land and property within both the private and public sector.
As a former transactional property lawyer, David has detailed knowledge and understanding of land transactions and the landlord and tenant relationship – proving invaluable in quickly and decisively identifying solutions for his clients.
David readily undertakes advocacy, having many years’ experience of cases in the courts and tribunals. In addition, David’s practice extends to representation at mediation and alternative dispute resolution.
Whilst David’s practice incorporates a very wide spectrum of disputes concerning property and land, he has developed a particular expertise in business lease renewal litigation (1954 Act claims) and in trespasser (‘squatter’) evictions. In addition, his practice extends to defending environmental prosecutions and to professional negligence claims and contentious probate.
Expertise
- Private and public property disputes
- Business lease renewal litigation
- Trespass claims/evictions
- Dilapidations claims
- Professional negligence
- Possession of commercial and residential property
- Property-related professional negligence claims
- Recovery of rent and service charge arrears
- Forfeiture claims
- Environmental prosecutions
- Leasehold enfranchisement disputes
- Contentious probate
Experience
Commercial Property Disputes
- Pursued a claim for negligent surveyor advice in a lease extension claim.
- Successfully defended a landlord claim for re-entry of commercial premises for alleged breaches of an alterations covenant and presented a robust defence based on a waiver of the breach.
- Pursued a claim for solicitor negligence in a conveyancing transaction.
- Secured an order for possession of a commercial unit in the case of rental arrears, where peaceable re-entry had been repelled.
- Secured peaceable re-entry to an industrial unit following breach of lease covenants.
- Secured business lease tenure for tenants of commercial units, supposedly occupying on the basis of ‘licences’.
- Secured enhanced compensation for tenants who had lease renewals opposed on the grounds of redevelopment.
- Advised upon and secured possession of commercial/industrial units in a case of landlord redevelopment under ground (f) of section 30(1) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
Recognition
Member of the Property Litigation Association
Career
David qualified as a solicitor in 1998. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2024, he worked at the following firms:
- Armstrong Teasdale Limited
- Kerman & Co LLP
- Bolt Burdon