I’m a partner in our property disputes team. I provide clear and pragmatic advice to help clients achieve their goals.
I have specialised purely in property disputes for over 17 years and have experience in advising on most contentious property issues. I do a lot of work with various London estates and other commercial, residential and mixed use property owning or occupying companies and individuals.
Areas of expertise:
- Landlord and tenant disputes (forfeiture/possession, contested lease renewals, dilapidations, service charge, rent review, breach of covenant)
- Real property disputes (restrictive covenants, easements, adverse possession)
- Development disputes (rights of light, option agreements)
- Property insolvency
- Party wall appeals
- Trespass/Removal of squatters
- Residential asset management
- Building Safety Act 2022
Qualifications and memberships
- Admitted as a solicitor in September 2004
- Member of the Property Litigation Association
If I'm unavailable, please contact:
Michelle Reynolds
Legal Secretary +44 (0)20 7591 3371 [email protected]
Clare Crowhurst
PA and Legal Secretary Team Leader +44 (0)1892 506 211 [email protected]
My experience
Advising tenants in a multimillion pound service charge dispute in connection with a mixed use development in London.
Acting for a garden committee in defending a claim for adverse possession relating to part of a communal garden, which raised various trust law issues as well as the property angle.
Acting for the landlord of a high value property in Mayfair in contested lease renewal proceedings, relying on the redevelopment ground, and reaching an advantageous settlement.
Acted for a landlord in successfully forfeiting and subsequently defending a claim from relief from forfeiture on a central London commercial lease for breach of the alienation covenants.
Advising owners of various high street portfolios in connection with tenant insolvencies (CVAs, administrations and liquidations) and recovery of arrears.
Advising a landowner on complex rights to light matter involving numerous multi-tenanted buildings with complicated lease structures.
How we made a difference
‘Laura is a thoughtful master of her field and uses her knowledge effectively in the best interests of her clients.’
Legal 500 2024
‘Laura Southgate (has the) ability to grasp and analyse complex legal issues and deal with difficult clients.'
Legal 500 2024
I have worked with Laura on various projects over the last few years and I have always found her to be very approachable and incredibly competent. She is a fantastic source of sound and pragmatic advice.
Lorna Pepper
Cadogan
Laura is a formidable lawyer who is effective in delivering strong outcomes for mutual clients with the minimum of aggravation.
Andrew Kafkaris
Bruton Street (Management) Limited
My thinking
What changes will the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 introduce to residential service charges?
Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill - Further Regulation of Leasehold
Renters (Reform) Bill 2023: what landlords need to know
Supreme Court decision: reapportionment of service charge
Getting into residential: Opportunities and potential traps for mixed use investors
Failure to obtain a gas certificate prohibits no-fault eviction
No Fault Evictions: The End of Section 21
Northwood (Solihull) Limited v Fearn & Ors (2022) EWCA Civ 40
Return to pre-pandemic notice periods for seeking possession of residential tenancies
Awards
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