Year of Call: 1989

Profile

Mark is a property litigator.

If it is attached to the ground, he litigates about it.

His cases are often reported in the Estates Gazette and elsewhere, and he sometimes acts as an arbitrator in property disputes.

The dustier corners of land law are his favourite.

Representative cases
 
Lidl v Just Fitness [2010] EWHC 39 (arbitration res judicata)
Van Dal v Ryman [2009] EWCA Civ 1498 (terminal dilapidations)
Brooker v Unique [2009] 49 EG 72 (public house rents)
Somerfield v Spring [2009] EWHC 2384 (renewal against administrators)
Walker v Kenley [2008] EWHC 370 (overage)
Sava v SS Global [2008] EWCA Civ 1308 (adverse possession)
Homepace v Sita [2008] 1 P & CR 436 (invalid expert determination)
Roberts v Crown Estate [2008] Ch 439 (manorial rights)
Princes House v Distinctive Clubs [2007] L&TR 34 (service charge)
HSBC v Quinn [2007] All ER (D) 125 (formalities)
Roberts v Swangrove Estates [2007] 2 P & CR 17 (adverse possession)
Tamares v Fairpoint [2007] 1 WLR 2167, 2148 (rights to light)
Pointon v Poulton (2007) L&TR 8 (incorporeal occupation)
Hickey v Haringey LBC (2006) HLR 36 (non-secure tenancies)
Legends Surf Shop v Sun Life (2006) BCC 204 (administrator's AGA)
Riverside v Blackhawke [2005] 1 EGLR 214 (terminal dilapidations)
Green v Alexander Johnson (2005) PNLR 45 (enfranchisement negligence)
UCB v Hedworth (No.2) [2003] 3 FCR 739 (mortgage subrogation)
Day v Coltrane [2003] 1 WLR 1379 (payment by cheque)
UCB v Hedworth (No.1) Times, 13.6.02 (possession)
Jewell v McGowan [2002] 3 EGLR 87 (meaning of "agriculture only")
Sun Life v Thales [2001] 1 WLR 1562 (validity of s.26 notice)
Fuller v Happy Shopper [2001] 1 WLR 1681 (set-off against rent)
Floyer Acland v Osmond [2000] 2 EGLR 1 (case B notice to quit)

Publications
 
Possession of Land, CUP, 2006
Drafting Property Pleadings, EMIS, 1997

Qualifications
LLB (Lond)

Chambers UK
Agriculture & Rural Affairs: " ... has a flourishing reputation in land law and is famed for his courtroom tenacity. Excelling in farm sales and purchases, agricultural tenancies and wind farm leases, the “very affable, very clever” Wonnacott maintains a bustling practice relating to agricultural and rural affairs" (2009) "an aggressive but effective advocate." “Building a genuine practice,” “a tenacious and experienced trouper.”

Chambers UK
Real Estate: " .. is considered by many to be 'hugely talented and at the top of his game.' His practice is focused exclusively on property litigation, and he is known for having a 'lucid style that allows him to effectively argue the most unmeritorious of points'." (2009) "an exceptional lawyer"; "tough opposition"; "committed and gutsy" (2008); "an intimidating opponent to be against"..."very persuasive, precise and terrier-like." experience of winning “un-winnable cases,” “pleasant to work with” a “fall off your chair talent.” ""A good opponent who takes interesting points."

UK Legal 500
Property Litigation (incl agriculture & housing): "encyclopaedic knowledge" (2009) "extraordinary"

Legal Experts
Agriculture and estates, Commercial litigation, Property