James Souter, Partner
James is recognised as an expert in the fields of enfranchisement and rights of light.
Contact James
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+44 (0)20 7427 6716
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Email James
Email: james.souter@crsblaw.com
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About
James specialises in all disputes relating to the use and occupation of land. He also has a significant advisory practice aimed at dispute avoidance. He has a wide-ranging client base which includes developers, investors, corporate, leisure and retail occupiers and high-net-worth individuals. He has considerable experience acting for clients in the higher courts and specialist property tribunals. James is recognised as an expert in the field of leasehold enfranchisement which has been developed through acting for one of the largest London estates as well as other landlords and a wide variety of tenants. He heads the firm’s enfranchisement group comprising 20 lawyers across three UK offices.
James is also recognised as an expert on rights of light and has developed a significant practise, advising developers on this and other neighbourly matters. His work in this field is regularly published in the property and wider press and he has a following of developer clients and contacts to whom he provides frequent updates on important cases and developments.
James is a member of the executive committee of the UK chapter of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. He is ranked as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in Legal 500.
James is admitted to practise in England and Wales.
Experience
- Advising Derwent London on a large central London development site, including devising and implementing a vacant possession strategy and mitigating a significant rights of light risk
- Acting for Scottish Widows on a multi-million-pound damages claim by a tenant of a trading estate on the outskirts of London. The tenant succeeded in the High Court but the decision was subsequently reversed by the Court of Appeal
- Acting for the Howard de Walden Estate on a variety of ground-breaking claims which have helped to clarify the law in relation to the enfranchisement of flats
- Advising the Direct Line Group in relation to the successful exercise of a complex conditional break clause in the lease of a large office building in Bristol.
Our thinking
James Souter
James Souter and Lauren Fraser appeared on Estates Gazette’s On the Case podcast to discuss the Supreme Court decision in FirstPort Property Services Ltd v Settlers Court RTM Co Ltd
James and Lauren advance the main arguments relied on by the parties, and discuss how they were addressed by the Supreme Court.
James Souter
James Souter quoted by Estates Gazette on the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn the Gala Unity decision
Leaseholders who acquire the right to manage a building are not exempt from paying for shared services if part of a larger estate.
James Souter
James Souter quoted by The Guardian and Property Week on the Supreme Court hearing in the Tate Modern privacy case
The legal battle between Tate Modern and residents of a nearby residential tower will be heard by the Supreme Court.
Megan Davies
James Souter and Megan Davies feature on the Estates Gazette podcast to discuss the return of the Tate Modern privacy case
James Souter and Megan Davies feature on the Estates Gazette podcast to discuss the return of the Tate Modern privacy case
James Souter
Why is being nosey not a nuisance?
James Souter
The death of the skyscraper?
Claire Fallows
Claire Fallows and James Souter write for Estates Gazette on the findings from the Firm’s Skyscraper vs Groundscraper report
Skyscraper vs Groundscraper looks at how and why our building typologies arise and the associated legal issues.
James Souter
James Souter and Claire Fallows write for Estates Gazette on whether planning and rights of light laws help deliver the ideal development where it is needed
Do our planning and rights of light laws serve us well in securing the right building typology?
James Souter
Q&A: Parking privileges
James Souter and David Nicholls address a resident’s parking dilemma.
James Souter
Law Commission’s proposals on enfranchisement
Following the long awaited release of the Law Commission's reports last month, read our analysis on the enfranchisement reforms here.
James Souter
A chink of light for circadian rhythms?
James Souter
James Souter writes for The Times on the law around the right to light
James Souter
James Souter quoted by Estates Gazette on the implications of the Moorgate right-to-light case
Laura Bushaway
COVID-19 – Q&A: How is it affecting landlords and tenants?
We've pulled together some key questions & answers that are likely to arise between landlords & tenants.
James Souter
A new approach to rights of light?
James Souter
James Souter and Megan Davies appear on the Estates Gazette podcast to discuss the Court of Appeal's decision in the Tate Modern Gallery appeal
James Souter
James Souter quoted in The Times, Property Week and Estates Gazette on the Court of Appeal judgment in the Tate Modern privacy case
James Souter
Should London be reaching for the sky?
James Souter
James Souter quoted in Estates Gazette on the judgment in the Aldford House ‘what is a flat?’ case