Steven joined Land Law in January 2017. He has been a property litigation specialist for over 30 years, practising in Manchester, first as a partner with Gorna & Co and then as a partner with DLA Piper, heading up its Property Litigation practice in the North West. In that time he gained experience of practically every type of commercial property dispute, from rights to light and restrictive covenants (including getting them modified or removed) to enforcing rights of way and evicting trespassing travellers. He has particular expertise in commercial lease issues, such as dilapidations claims, disputes about assignment and subletting, service charges, break notices and vacant possession.
Steven has a long-established reputation for dealing with rent review issues, advising both the parties to leases, and the arbitrators and independent experts who are appointed to deal with such disputes : as a consequence he was invited to join Arbrix, the RICS-sponsored organisation for rent review experts.
Apart from dealing with litigation, arbitration and mediation, Steven also provides advice to clients and colleagues on drafting, interpretation and similar issues.
Steven has acted over the years for landlords (such as developers, pension funds and shopping centre operators), tenants (such as retail chains and manufacturers) and corporate occupiers. He has for many years been recognised by the legal directories as a leading North West property litigator, currently ranked by Chambers and Partners as a Senior Statesperson and by Legal 500 as a member of its Hall of Fame.
Steven lives in a small Cheshire village and in his spare time he tends his garden, feeds his addiction to acquiring books and does his grandchildren’s bidding.