Howard Smith specialises in litigation and related advisory work in chancery and commercial cases. He is widely experienced in all areas of property work including party wall appeals, rights of light, and other boundary related matters. Howard has been involved in many of the important party wall dispute cases. He is the Consulting Editor of the “Deeds and other Instruments” volume of “Halsbury’s Laws” (2019).

For an initial advice given by telephone and/or email, and to follow from the provision of no more than 50 pages of documents provided by the client, ideally to include (1) the relevant award, (2) an explanation of what advice the client is seeking and why, (3) the originating party wall notices, and (4) the letters of appointment for the party wall surveyors (in each case, if appropriate), Howard Smith’s fixed fee would be £500 plus vat.

James specialises in a broad spectrum of property disputes, assisting clients across the UK in reaching a resolution to their problems in his trademark approachable, pragmatic style. James has particular expertise in resolving complex party wall disputes both through court proceedings and via alternative dispute resolution, frequently involving mediation. 

Further details of James’s relevant experience can be found at: 

James Beat - Partner at Lincoln & Rowe - Property Dispute Resolution (lincolnandrowe.com)

James is happy to provide a no obligation initial consultation to discuss prospective party wall appeal representation. Flexible and fixed fee costs arrangements can be discussed with those deciding to proceed with a formal instruction.

Katie Gray is a property litigation barrister of 8 years call. She is experienced in all areas of party wall litigation and has appeared as both junior and sole counsel in numerous party wall appeals, injunctions and other party wall disputes. Katie frequently work closely with party wall surveyors and is a member of the Pyramus & Thisbe Club. Katie accepts instructions in all party wall matters. 

For an initial advice given by telephone and/or email, and to follow from the provision of no more than 50 pages of documents provided by the client, ideally to include (1) the relevant award, (2) an explanation of what advice the client is seeking and why, (3) the originating party wall notices, and (4) the letters of appointment for the party wall surveyors (in each case, if appropriate), Katie Gray’s fixed fee would be £250.

Matthew specialises in resolving complex property disputes, and is widely known as a specialist in the field of party walls. He has been instructed on one side or the other on most of the published party wall cases. Matthew is particularly known for his expertise in relation to disputes arising from basement extensions, and he is the author of the only textbook on this type of development, the Law and Practice of Basement Extensions.

Nick Isaac is the author of “The Law and Practice of Party Walls” (now in its 2^nd edition) “Where is my boundary?”, and, together with Matthew Hearsum, “The New Party Wall Casebook”. Nick Isaac was on the RICS sub-committee drafting the 7^th edition of the RICS’s guidance note, and has been instructed in most of the leading party wall cases over the last decade or more. The majority of his practice is concerned with party walls, boundaries, easements and what surveyors describe as “neighbourly matters”. Nick also regularly provides training to party wall surveyors on party wall matters, most recently by way of his “Party Wall Masterclass” series of webinars.

For an initial advice given by telephone and/or email, and to follow from the provision of no more than 50 pages of documents provided by the client, ideally to include (1) the relevant award, (2) an explanation of what advice the client is seeking and why, (3) the originating party wall notices, and (4) the letters of appointment for the party wall surveyors (in each case, if appropriate), Nick Isaac’s fixed fee would be £600 plus vat.

Stephen is a barrister and arbitrator specialising in property, construction, and dispute resolution.  He is author of Party Walls Law and Practice and has appeared in courts at first instance and appeal level in many party walls cases.

Stephen is a member of the arbitration panels of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and the Law Society, and the adjudication panels of the Chartered Institute, and the Technology and Construction Solicitors Association and the Technology Bar Association. Stephen is also a member of the Society of Construction Arbitrators and an accredited mediator.

Stephen accepts direct professional access instructions as a barrister.

Victoria joined Osborne Clarke in September 2019 and is a solicitor in the real estate disputes team in the firm’s London office. She acts for a variety of clients in the Real Estate & Infrastructure sector, with a particular specialism in party wall matters.

Victoria has gained extensive knowledge in the field of party walls, acting for both commercial developers and private individuals. Victoria has brought and defended numerous party wall claims and appeals, including a recent high profile appeal involving a multi-million pound security for expenses claim. 

Victoria strongly supports alternative dispute resolution and has a high success rate in settling disputes through mediation and settlement discussions. 

Prior to joining Osborne Clarke, Victoria worked at Child & Child for 5 years specialising predominantly in party wall matters. 

Victoria offers a 30 minute initial consultation by telephone, which is free of charge, to discuss the potential instruction and the likely costs involved. 

A link to Victoria’s profile on Osborne Clarke’s website: https://www.osborneclarke.com/lawyers/victoria-woolf/