Property disputes are rarely just about bricks and mortar. Whether you are a developer, landlord, leaseholder, investor, business owner or high net worth individual, a property dispute can have significant financial, commercial and personal consequences.
From boundary disagreements and rights of way disputes to leasehold conflicts, adverse possession claims and commercial landlord and tenant litigation, seeking specialist legal advice at an early stage can often make the difference between a swift resolution and years of costly litigation.
At Streathers, our Dispute Resolution team is recognised for advising clients on complex and high-value property disputes, combining detailed technical knowledge with practical, commercially focused solutions. The team regularly acts for private clients, developers, investors, charities, landlords and tenants across London and beyond.
The Increasing Complexity of Property Disputes
Property ownership has become increasingly complex, particularly in London and the South East where significant property values often mean even relatively minor disagreements can have substantial financial implications.
Common disputes include:
- Boundary disputes
- Rights of way and easements
- Adverse possession claims
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Business lease renewals
- Leasehold and freehold disputes
- Service charge disputes
- Party Wall disputes
- Possession claims
- Restrictive covenant disputes
- Professional negligence claims involving surveyors, solicitors and property professionals
- Development-related disputes
Many of these matters involve overlapping legal issues spanning property law, contract law, planning law, insolvency and trust law, making specialist legal advice essential.
Adverse Possession and Property Ownership Disputes
Few property disputes are as contentious as ownership disputes.
Partner Gregory Ostroff has extensive experience advising clients on adverse possession claims, boundary disputes and complex land ownership issues. He successfully acted for the claimant in the reported High Court case of Maria El Massouri v Omani Estates Limited, a significant case concerning adverse possession, estoppel and subsequent property insolvency issues. The matter attracted considerable publicity and demonstrated the importance of strategic litigation when property rights are challenged.
Ownership disputes often arise when:
- Neighbouring land has been occupied for many years
- Historical boundaries are unclear
- Rights of access are disputed
- Property records conflict with occupation on the ground
- Development projects uncover competing ownership claims
Resolving these issues requires a detailed understanding of both legal principles and practical evidential requirements.
Landlord and Tenant Disputes
The relationship between landlords and tenants is governed by a complex legal framework, particularly in the commercial sector.
Property disputes frequently arise concerning:
- Rent arrears
- Lease renewals
- Forfeiture and termination
- Service charge disputes
- Dilapidations
- Break clauses
- Possession proceedings
- Business tenancy rights under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Streathers regularly advises both landlords and tenants on commercial lease disputes. Recent work has included advising landlords on termination strategies where tenants acquired statutory protection under the 1954 Act and assisting commercial tenants in recovering substantial lease deposits following lease terminations.
In many cases, strong early advice can prevent disputes escalating into expensive court proceedings.
Party Wall and Development Disputes
Property development projects often generate disputes between neighbours, contractors, developers and adjoining owners.
These disputes can involve:
- Party Wall Act claims
- Damage caused by construction works
- Rights of support
- Nuisance claims
- Access disputes
- Building regulation issues
- Defective works allegations
Dispute Resolution Solicitor Cormac Mannion regularly advises property owners, developers and landlords on complex property disputes, including Party Wall matters, easement issues, adverse possession claims and development-related litigation. He combines detailed legal analysis with a practical appreciation of the commercial realities facing clients.
Where development projects are involved, swift and strategic intervention can often preserve relationships while protecting valuable development opportunities.
Property-Related Professional Negligence Claims
Property transactions often involve a wide range of professionals, including solicitors, surveyors, valuers, architects and managing agents.
When professional advisers make mistakes, the consequences can be significant.
Our team advises clients on claims arising from:
- Negligent legal advice
- Errors in conveyancing transactions
- Defective enfranchisement advice
- Surveyor negligence
- Valuation errors
- Development-related professional negligence
The team recently advised leaseholders pursuing a professional negligence claim after a statutory deadline was missed during a collective enfranchisement process, demonstrating Streathers’ expertise in both property law and professional negligence litigation.
Commercial Litigation Expertise Supporting Property Owners
Many property disputes extend beyond traditional property law.
Issues surrounding insolvency, contractual arrangements, fraud, guarantees, shareholder disputes and enforcement often arise alongside property claims.
Ian Baker brings extensive commercial litigation expertise to the team, having built a strong reputation for advising clients on complex commercial disputes, professional negligence and high-value litigation. His strategic approach is particularly valuable where property disputes intersect with broader commercial issues.
Recent work includes successfully defending a multi-million-pound subsidence claim involving a prestigious private estate and coordinating a global settlement involving multiple insurers.
Property Disputes Following Death and Inheritance
Property is often one of the most valuable assets within an estate and can become the focus of contentious probate disputes.
Questions frequently arise concerning:
- Validity of wills
- Ownership of inherited property
- Beneficial interests
- Trust arrangements
- Occupation rights
- Executor decisions
Milton Silverman has more than four decades of litigation experience and frequently advises on complex inheritance and estate disputes. His recent work includes acting in High Court proceedings involving substantial property assets across multiple jurisdictions, highlighting the increasingly international nature of modern property disputes.
Why Specialist Property Litigation Advice Matters
Property disputes are rarely straightforward. The legal issues are often intertwined with commercial objectives, personal relationships and significant financial considerations.
At Streathers, our Dispute Resolution team provides:
- Strategic and commercially focused advice
- High Court litigation expertise
- Specialist property litigation knowledge
- Alternative dispute resolution and mediation support
- Urgent injunction advice
- Cross-departmental expertise spanning property, private client and corporate matters
- Partner-led service throughout a dispute
Our lawyers are known for finding practical solutions that protect our clients’ interests while keeping the wider commercial picture firmly in focus.
How Streathers Can Help
Whether you are facing a boundary dispute, commercial lease issue, adverse possession claim, Party Wall dispute, professional negligence claim or contentious property ownership matter, obtaining specialist advice early can significantly improve your prospects of achieving a successful outcome.
Streathers’ Dispute Resolution team, led by Gregory Ostroff and supported by Cormac Mannion, Ian Baker and Milton Silverman, provides experienced and pragmatic advice on property disputes of every scale, from private residential disagreements to complex High Court litigation
