About
David is Head of the Firm's Real Estate Disputes Group.
He has a well-established and respected property litigation practice (winning recognition for his authoritative and hands on approach) acting for a variety of clients, which include NEC UK Ltd, The University of Surrey The Trustees of the Meyrick Estate, The Royal Horticultural Society and Warrant Investments PLC.
David has particular expertise in commercial landlord and tenant matters, dilapidations, break notice and easement/covenant disputes, possession claims and agricultural disputes as well as property related professional negligence claims.
David is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association, the Compulsory Purchase Association and the Agricultural Law Association.
David also leads the firm’s Compulsory Purchase Team and also heads the firm’s HS2 Team (with Richard Flenley), which has been specifically set up to provide specialist advice to clients affected/potentially affected by HS2.
David speaks at seminars and conferences on a variety of property based subjects (having spoken at events for RICS, CPD Essentials and The Law Society) and is also a Roll B Parliamentary Agent.
David is ranked as a Band 1 Partner in Chambers and Partners 2021 (having been ranked for the last 15 years) and recognised as a 'Leading Individual' in Legal 500 (David has again been ranked in 2025 in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame) .
David is admitted to practise in England and Wales.
Experience
- Acting for Wagamama in successful High Court litigation concerning compliance with a conditional Agreement for Lease in respect of a restaurant unit in a new shopping centre development.
- Acting for a major Japanese electronics and telecommunications company in negotiating its complex exit from its large UK HQ premises and move to new premises
- Acting for clients in respect of various HS2 claims, including petitions to the House of Commons and House of Lords to secure concessions and assurances in respect of the HS2 scheme and land acquisition
- Acting for and advising CitySprint UK in respect of its property portfolio (including lease renewals, break notices, rent review and dilapidations work)
- Acting for Barrie House (Freehold) Limited in a multi million pound collective enfranchisement claim lasting over 6 years to successfully acquire the freehold of Barrie House in London [Merie Bin Mahfouz Company (UK) Ltd v Barrie House (Freehold) Ltd - Court of Appeal:C3/2015/1459]
