Timothy Dutton QC

Tim is recognised as a leading property silk, and acts in both contentious and non-contentious matters.

A significant proportion of Tim’s cases are commercial chancery cases with a “property flavour”.  Examples from his reported cases include KPMG v. Network Rail (CA) (claim for “rectification by construction” and for rectification in equity – the case was an important pre-curser to the Supreme Court’s decision in Chartbrook v. Persimmon Homes); Meretz v. ACP (ChD/CA) (multi-faceted claim, including claims in conspiracy, and procuring breach of contract); FoodCo v. Henry Boot Developments (alleged mis-selling of shopping centre and effect of non-reliance clauses); Williams v. Redcard (execution requirements of sections 43 and 44 of the Companies Act 2006), and Re Blenheim Leisure Ltd (CA) (whether a landlord has locus standi to oppose an application to restore a company to the register).

But Tim also specialises in what may be regarded as pure property litigation.  Again, a sample of his reported cases gives an indication of the breadth of his practice:  Housden v. Conservators of Wimbledon and Putney Commons (ChD/CA) (whether it is possible to acquire prescriptive rights over Wimbledon and Putney Commons); Cravecrest v. Duke of Westminster (UT/CA) – whether the price payable on a collective enfranchisement can include development value (appeal to the Supreme Court later in 2014)); Legal & General v. Expeditors International (ChD/CA) (meaning of “vacant possession” in a break option, and whether break conditions had been waived); Renewal Leeds v. Lowry Properties (ChD) (interpretation of overage clause); Centreland Management v. HSBC (ChD) (renewal of business tenancies – test to be applied when deciding whether a “Calderbank” offer has been beaten), and First Penthouse v. Channel Hotels and Properties (ChD/CA) (whether licence to assign withheld for collateral purpose).

Notable Cases

Trillium (Prime) Property GP Ltd v Elmfield Road Ltd (2018)

Friends Life Management Services Ltd v A & A Express Building Ltd (2014)

Centreland Management LLP v HSBC Bank Pension Trust (UK) Ltd (2013)

Cravecrest Ltd v Trustees of the Will of the Second Duke of Westminster & Ors (2013)

Roger Williams & Ors v Redcard Ltd & Ors (2011)

Daniel Pittack v Muhammad Maximilian Naviede (2010)

Linpac Mouldings Ltd v Aviva Life & Pensions UK Ltd (Formerly Norwich Union Life & Pensions) (2010)

FoodCo UK LLP (T/A Muffin Break) & Ors v Henry Boot Developments Ltd (2010)

Heronslea (Mill Hill) Ltd v Kwik-Fit Properties Ltd (2009)

Michael Housden & Anor v Conservators of Wimbledon & Putney Commons (2008)

KPMG v Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd (2007)

Meretz Investments NV & Ors v ACP Limited and Ors (2006)

Kenneth Hart & Ors v Susan Burbidge & Ors (2013)

Konstantinidis v Townsend

Go West v Spigarolo

Clinton Cards (Essex) Ltd v Sun Alliance & London Assurance Co Ltd (2002)

Gilje v Charlegrove Securities Ltd (2003)

West Sussex Properties v Chichester District Council (2000)

Forrester v UYCF (2000)

Hallisey v Petmoor Developments Ltd (2000)

Peter Pexton v Wellcome Trust (2000)

Clarence Cafe (in administration) v Comchester Finance (1998)

Parc Battersea v Hutchinson

Fordgate Wandsworth v Bernard Neville & Co and Teacher Stern Selby (1999)

Re: Blenheim Leisure (Restaurants) Ltd (1999)

Re: Blenheim Leisure (Restaurants) Limited (No.2) (1999)

Wellcome Trust Ltd v Hammad (1997)

Barclays Bank PLC v Prudential Assurance Co Ltd (1997)

Memberships
Chancery Bar Association
Property Bar Association

Qualifications
BA (Dunelm)