About James:
James is a property litigator with nearly two decades of post‑qualification experience. He is recognised as a leading practitioner in his field in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.
Practical solutions and proven results from an expert team of property litigation solicitors
Property disputes can drain time, money and focus. Our award-winning property litigation solicitors help you resolve them swiftly and strategically — safeguarding your assets and keeping your business moving.
We act for organisations across the public, private and third sectors throughout Great Britain — landlords, landowners, tenants, developers, lenders, receivers, investors, local authorities and social housing providers. Whether you're managing a complex commercial portfolio or navigating a single high-value property, we protect your interests with clear, commercially focused advice backed by deep sector expertise.
Schedule a callOur approach
Every situation is different, but the goal is always the same: a clear, cost-effective resolution that aligns with the needs of your business.
Our team blends litigation expertise with strong negotiation skills, and we focus early on exploring settlement options — including mediation, arbitration and other alternative-dispute-resolution methods — where they serve your interests best.
We appreciate that a dispute needn’t end a business relationship. We work sensitively and strategically to safeguard your long-term interests while tackling the immediate challenge.
Behind the scenes, we deploy efficient case-management systems and streamlined processes to ensure accuracy, compliance and cost control — giving you a service that is both personal and genuinely effective.
Accolades
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Weightmans build relationships within the business, it is not just a job. You feel like they know you and they are always available. We can rely them without incident and they are so knowledgeable. In comparison to other solicitors, I never feel anxious picking up the phone or emailing our contacts. They are quick to respond, helpful and make you feel at ease. I have never felt condescended to or like I am bothering them.
Legal 500 2026 -
Well-resourced, high-quality legal advice, and outstanding understanding of client needs.
Legal 500 2026 -
Weightmans was able to provide a tailored approach to the case they were dealing with, providing highly specialised advice. They did not just focus on the law itself but understood the financial and commercial issues which would affect any resolution.
Legal 500 2026 -
Hugely experienced team in property litigation and particularly dealing with the licensed trade. Have not worked with any other firms who can really match their experience and client base.
Legal 500 2026 -
We find Weightmans to provide exceptional service with appropriate fees. Their advice is always rational and calm, and it feels like they have client interest as their main interest.
Legal 500 2026 -
They adopt a commercial approach which is so important, and do not keep reinventing the wheel unnecessarily.
Legal 500 2026 -
We have been very satisfied. They know our business, having acted for us for many years. We think a good relationship is essential for a smooth delivery of service.
Legal 500 2026 -
They have good connections, and provided clear advice and guidance.
Legal 500 2026 -
We have received good, proactive services from Weightmans in relation to property transactions.
Legal 500 2026 -
Finding pragmatic solutions to complex legal issues.
Legal 500 2026 -
Very strong and capable team. Really understand the needs of a local authority client.
Legal 500 2026 -
They understand my business and have consistently supported and delivered on the complex projects presented to them, always finding practical solutions.
Legal 500 2026 -
The team at Weightmans has always been readily available to provide support, advice, and guidance for my diverse portfolio. I have been extremely satisfied with the quality of work and the timely delivery, even within the tight deadlines presented to them.
Legal 500 2026 -
The team is incredibly competent, they explain everything so you are never side swiped by anything. They always keep you updated and you never have to chase. They keep everybody on track, other teams, other businesses, nothing is ever too much for them. Billing is always as suggested and if there are any changes we are updated about them and it is discussed before it is billed.
Legal 500 2026 -
Weightmans provides a first-class service with solid advice and remarkably quick response times.
Legal 500 2026 -
Weightmans are aware of the issues affecting our organisation and provide both commercial and more cautious solutions to problems. Our relationship with Weightmans means they have a thorough understanding of our business and our teams.
Chambers and Partners 2026 -
The team offers robust, well-presented advice for difficult property litigation matters while maintaining a consistently friendly approach.
Legal 500 2026 -
Weightmans’ approach is fast, responsive, and anticipatory, providing practical and valuable advice.
Legal 500 2026 -
The lawyers understand complex agreements and provide clear advice identifying any risks and options to resolve those risks.The lawyers have a problem-solving approach to matters.The team are very competent and are usually quick to turn around documents.The lawyers' ability to get to the core issues and advise a client on what are practical and sensible commercial solutions to problems is key.If my usual contacts are off or away, then there is a broader team there to support me.
Chambers and Partners 2026 -
The firm continues to excel across a range of litigation areas, making them a trusted partner.'
Legal 500 2026 -
Weightmans give strong, clear advice, as well as being very responsive and friendly. Weightmans have fabulous response times - usually the same day. Weightmans offers regular common-sense updates and practical advice that is sensible and beneficial. Weightmans provide straightforward and clear advice. They are efficient and unflinching. Weightmans offers a very good quality service at a reasonable price in the marketplace.
Chambers and Partners 2026 -
Straight forward and no nonsense. Full service law firm with highly competent lawyers. Efficient working patterns with good results.
Legal 500 2025 -
From the outset the litigation team were efficient in communication. They set out all possible options and scenarios and directed myself accordingly. They were thorough in their preparation in presentation my case. They instructed a first class barrister to try my case and overall, my experience was extremely positive.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team performs diligently in dealing with new lease negotiations, lease renewals, deed of variations, licences to alter and deed of surrender.
Legal 500 2025 -
Outstanding team quality with a good understanding of our companies needs & aspirations. The team provide clear and concise advice.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team are really supportive. Their knowledge of the industry is fantastic and they offer good advise, describing different scenarios and potential outcomes. The billing is informative and will also provide full costs to date, which helps in ensuring spend/budgets are managed. Requests for information are dealt with swiftly and information received on return is informative.
Legal 500 2025 -
Responsive and well-informed with an ability to provide clear, concise advice on a range of issues.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team are highly knowledgeable and have worked at pace on a complex project. Responses to questions have always been timely and they provide the necessary detail to help inform decisions. The collaboration between the Weightmans team, client and third party has been exceptional, thinking outside the box and weighing up all possibilities to the challenges faced.
Legal 500 2025 -
Weightmans houses a fantastic team who are always able accommodate your requirements and needs no matter what the issues may be. Their ability to be able to turn matters around quickly and efficiently whilst always ensuring the client's position and interest is protected is outstanding
Legal 500 2025 -
They are a friendly and approachable practice which in our view makes them stand out. Their capability to be able find resolutions to all issues that may arise is extremely valuable especially when they are faced with situations where there are multiple complexities, difficult opposing parties and challenging legal obstacles to overcome.
Legal 500 2025 -
Exceptional people who are able to fully understand the matters at hand quickly and are able to provide suitable resolutions. What makes the individuals stand out for me is their ability to translate and communicate issues in a way that is easily understandable to the service area clients whilst at the same time being able to come to an appropriate resolution.
Legal 500 2025 -
Without the individuals' excellent professional skills and approach we would have not been able to have concluded many of our complex matters successfully. I truly value the commitment and relationship that we have with the organisation and the individuals that we have worked alongside so far.
Legal 500 2025 -
Weightmans has a good range of staff in the team.
Chambers 2025 -
They were very responsive and demonstrated commerciality throughout.
Chambers 2025 -
The Weightmans team are creative in finding solutions for their clients and first-class in handling complex issues in a timely manner.
Real Estate: High Value Residential respondent -
The communication that the Weightmans team offers is outstanding. They are incredibly efficient. Their expert knowledge also helps to ensure transactions run smoothly.
Real Estate: High Value Residential respondent -
Weightmans undertakes high-value residential conveyancing with discretion and diligence.
Real Estate: High Value Residential respondent -
The team stayed calm and measured when we have been under pressure from an aggressive counter-party, helping us to focus on and achieve a positive commercial outcome to the transaction.
Real Estate: High Value Residential respondent
Services offered by our property litigation solicitors
With a multi-office presence across Great Britain, we advise on every aspect of property litigation, including:
- Land
- Disputes over conditional contracts, option agreements and overage obligations and other property contracts
- Enforcement/challenge of restrictive covenants and easements
- Rights of light and nuisance
- Injunctions and access rights for landlords and developers
- Possession claims including eviction of squatters and protestor actions
- Title and boundary disputes
- Commercial and residential leasehold:
- Breaches of covenant, including dilapidations and reinstatement claims
- Break clauses
- Contested lease renewals
- Forfeiture
- Rent review arbitrations and expert determinations
- Complex property finance claims, involving lenders, mortgages and receivers, and insolvency-related matters
- Professional negligence in a property context
- Social housing disrepair claims
- Advice on statutory duties, including those arising under Building Safety Act 2022.
Why choose Weightmans?
From national housebuilders, investors, manufacturers, retailers and companies within the manufacturing and energy sectors, to lenders, NHS Trusts and local authorities, our clients trust us for our blend of technical strength, strategic thinking and commercial awareness.
We don’t just handle disputes — we help prevent them. And when they do arise, we resolve them efficiently, intelligently and with your wider objectives firmly in mind.
About Simon:
Simon is a leading property litigation expert providing comprehensive advice on all aspects of contentious commercial real estate work. He advises in relation to rights of light, nuisance, possession claims, overage and emergency injunctions.
