Bishop & Sewell has been recognised as one of the top 250 law firms in the UK for the third year in a row by The Times.
Its much-anticipated Best Law Firms report highlights the best law firms and lawyers in the UK as voted for by their peers – other lawyers.
The Times recognises Bishop & Sewell’s market-leading Landlord & Tenant team, saying that the firm “demonstrates its expertise through significant casework, industry recognition and policy engagement.”
The Times report highlights an important case on which Bishop & Sewell Partner Chris Macartney acted, Mountview Estates v W8 Property, involving a substantial but long-neglected flat in Kensington Court Gardens in London, described by both parties’ valuers as “uninhabitable.”
The Upper Tribunal decision in this case dealt with the question of the assumed state of repair of the property, a subject on which there has been surprisingly little authority, until now.
In leasehold reform cases (including lease extensions, such as this one) the property is assumed to be in a good state of repair when determining the premium payable.
The case concerned the freehold vacant possession value of the flat, when valued for leasehold reform purposes and specifically how its physical condition should be reflected when adjusting comparable sales.
Upholding the decision of the First-tier Tribunal and dismissing the landlord’s appeal, the Upper Tribunal of the Lands Chamber ruled that the flat, although it was uninhabitable, was assumed to be in good and tenantable repair for valuation purposes.
The Times also highlights Bishop & Sewell Senior Partner Mark Chick’s contributions to the landlord and tenant community, pointing to him giving evidence to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee on the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill.
Mark Chick said: “We are delighted to have received this recognition for the third year in a row from and The Times Award is made all the more special by the fact that it is voted on by other law firms. We are delighted to see our commitment to excellence in client services recognised in this way.”
