Property Disputes
Our Property Disputes Team provides expert advice on any property-related disputes across commercial, agricultural and residential property. The team supports our property teams across the firm when disputes arise, and work with a wide range of clients including local councils, farmers, business owners, landlords and tenants, and can advise you on any issue or dispute relating to land or property ranging from a disagreement with a neighbour to an extremely complex commercial dispute.
The team prides themselves on acting as promptly and efficiently should a property related dispute arise, they aim to resolve disputes without recourse to court proceedings where possible; in an aim to limit your costs. Should litigation be necessary, our expert team will be able to guide you through the process and keep you updated as to the costs involved.
Examples of some of the areas we specialise in include:
Dilapidations
Commercial Lease Renewals
Rent Arrears
Forfeiture
Rights of Way
Right to Light
Boundary Disputes
Easements
Restrictive Covenants
Adverse Possession
Trespass
Landlord & Tenant Disputes
Assured (or Claims Assured) Shorthold Tenancies
Residential Long Lease Renewals
Rent Act Tenancies
Service Charges
Neigbour Disputes
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What our clients say
Leathes Prior advises on a wide range of contentious property issues, including trusts of land, boundary disputes, easements, covenants, and landlord and tenant matters. In Darren Bowen the firm has a highly skilled property litigator who is respected by surveyors, land agents, landed estates and counsel, and whose expertise covers agricultural property disputes, particularly those involving probate matters.
Leathes Prior’s excellent quality of service, and good value for money attract clients and the team is praised for its practical approach to complex commercial disputes.
Attention to detail and recommended for Commercial Litigation and Agriculture and Estates work...for their confident and pragmatic approach.
Leathes Prior provide advice on all aspects of contentious property issues, including commercial, agricultural and residential landlord and tenant, boundary and development litigation. Particularly pronounced expertise in timeshare disputes, patient and measured in assisting with a long-running matter. They respond promptly and efficiently.
Coming up against them in Property is like being against Man Utd in the Premiership...an awesome reputation. They are all well respected and well regarded lawyers, who are the rock upon which their clients can rely on. Their knowledge in this area is superb; and they are always 'on the ball'. I am confident that anyone who seeks their assistance will be well looked after. Leathes Prior is probably one of the best law firms Norwich has to offer.
Shaun was extremely helpful and dealt with our all our concerns in a very professional manner . Ultimately we were unable to secure the outcome we had hoped for, but Shaun could not have given us better advice.
Litigator Darren Bowen has sound knowledge and good judgement. Has the ability to manage complex and difficult litigation.
I would like to pass my appreciation for the help and guidance with this case, and how much I really valued from you, your clear explanations, and calm approach even when telling me something I really didn't want to hear!
Leathes Prior’s specialist team compares very well with the main competition in Norfolk. Litigator Darren Bowen is incisive, clear-thinking and a strong advocate for his clients, but always open to practical ideas for settlement.
Darren Bowen doesn’t miss any points and gives excellent advice.
This Norwich-based team continues to impress and adds growing expertise in agribusiness to its existing corporate and commercial know-how.
Thank you for forwarding documentation confirming the positive outcome for my current case in your hands. You have conducted my affairs in a professional and most pleasant and friendly manner. Kind regards and once again, thank you.
Delivers the best and has strong agricultural estates experience.
Darren Bowen has a broad practice covering contentious probates, agricultural disputes and real estate litigation. He is an expert in litigation. He is very good at bringing in the right experts and specialists for different jobs, he displays great customer care and is very tenacious.
It’s been a pleasure working with you both and others at Leathes Prior over the years, your wealth of expertise and excellent service has been greatly appreciated.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you very much indeed for all your work. Your courtesy and efficiency has been very much appreciated.
We can not thank Darren enough for the way he handled our claim. He was an extremely calming influence and led us through every step of the way with the upmost respect and trust. We would highly recommend using Darren and indeed Leathes Prior in general and we are grateful for their professionalism and hard work
Thank you very much for your help and professionalism with this matter, I would not hesitate to contact you again should I need any legal advice in the future and would certainly recommend you to others.
I would just like to say that you have, over the past three years on this matter, looked after me exceptionally well. Thank you.
Thank you very much for all your help with this case. Everyone at Leathes Prior has been very helpful, professional and approachable. I really appreciate your excellent communication and keeping me up to date, it made the whole situation much less stressful. I would certainly recommend you.
I have found the service provided by LP first class and a great comfort when dealing with a particularly difficult tenant. As a retired solicitor I know better than many what I am talking about.
We know no way of thanking you enough for the wonderful success you have achieved for us. You said just over a year ago that you would relieve us of our burden and you have done just that. Please accept our sincere congratulations and our grateful thanks.
Many thanks for the excellent work you have done in resolving our recent tenancy issue. It was conducted in a very professional manner, plus your advice on the problem was first class. I would have no hesitation in recommending Leathes Prior Solicitors to anyone.
Thank you for all the work you've carried out on this [land] dispute for us; we are delighted at the successful outcome.
Autumn Budget 2025: Agricultural Property Relief & Business Property Relief Changes
It was announced in the 2025 Budget that from 6 April 2026, changes will be made to agricultural property relief and business property relief. These changes bring APR and BPR in line with the nil-rate band rules, meaning unused allowances can be transferred to a surviving spouse or civil partner. This is a significant step towards making estate planning easier for families who own farms or businesses.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 is expected to come into force tomorrow (18 December 2025)
After an extended period of back-and-forth amendments between Parliament and the House of Lords, on 16 December 2025, the ERB finally received approval from the House of Lords, with the formality of Royal Assent due to take place tomorrow (18 December 2025). Head of LP Employment, Dan Chapman, explains...
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Charity of the Month: The Matthew Project
Leathes Prior is delighted to be supporting The Matthew Project as our Charity of the Month for December 2025. The Matthew Project supports young people and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex to overcome issues around drugs, alcohol, and mental health, empowering them to rebuild confidence and lead fulfilling lives.
Leathes Prior’s Milan Pandit appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society
Leathes Prior Solicitors is proud to announce that Milan Pandit, Solicitor in our Corporate & Commercial Team, has been appointed President of the Norfolk & Norwich Law Society (NNLS) for 2025/26.
Commercial Lease Renewals: A guide for Landlords & Tenants
Commercial lease renewals are a topic that every commercial landlord and business that rents commercial premises should have at the forefront of their minds. It is essential for good succession planning, though it is often neglected until the expiry of an existing lease term is looming or once the existing term has come to an end and the tenant is holding over. In this article, our newly qualified solicitor, Maggie Berry explores the process that landlords and tenants can expect when navigating this complex area of law.
Our Guidance, Your Legacy: What is a Will, and why should I make one?
Not only is a Will one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected, but it also limits the likelihood of a claim/dispute following your death. To ensure your loved ones and the causes you care about benefit from your estate, a Will is essential to ensuring this happens. Find out more in this article.
Lease extensions: The essentials to getting started
Extending your lease can seem complex, but taking the right steps early can make the process much smoother. Jake Mowatt, Associate and Harry Smith, Trainee Solicitor in our Residential Property Team outlines the key essentials every leaseholder should understand prior to extending their lease.
Upcoming changes to bringing employment law claims: What these mean for you
The highly anticipated Employment Rights Bill (ERB) is set to increase the time limits in which employees can bring an employment tribunal claim. Gareth Stevens & Rose Woolterton explain what this means for employers & employees.
Service Charges in Residential Leases: FAQs
Service charges are forever a hot topic in the world of property disputes, and it remains one of the most contentious areas between freeholders and leaseholders, particularly in long residential leases. Danny Turpin, Associate, discusses frequently asked questions regarding service charges on long residential leases.
Leathes Prior winners in nine categories in the prestigious Legal 500 Future Laywer Survey
We are thrilled to announce that the firm has placed once again in the Legal 500 Future Lawyer survey as No.1 in the UK for our Social Life; a ranking we have held in the survey for seven years out of the past nine years.
Jess’s Rule – New Guidelines for GPs
A new initiative is being rolled out across GP practices across England in the hope of preventing serious illnesses being missed by GPs where patients present with the same, or deteriorating, symptoms on multiple occasions. Kimberley Nelson in our Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence Team discusses new guidelines for GPs.
Leathes Prior are excited to announce that four Trainee Solicitors qualify at the firm
Leathes Prior is excited to announce that four of our amazing trainees, Eleanor Chapman, Maggie Berry, Alex Robinson, and Georgia Sartin, have successfully completed their training contracts and are now qualifying as Solicitors at the firm.
