Contentious business tenancies cover disputes over commercial leases, including possession, breach of covenant, rent issues, service charges and lease renewals under the 1954 Act. A solicitor handles issuing and defending court proceedings, serving or responding to notices, preparing and negotiating court documents, gathering tenancy records and expert evidence, and representing the client in hearings in the County Court or the High Court where necessary. Proceedings progress through pleadings, disclosure, and, if required, trial, with emphasis on protecting the client’s leasehold position and recoveries.
What a solicitor handles in these matters
The solicitor handles the specific mechanics of contentious leases: drafting and replying to s.25/26 notices for renewal or withdrawal; issuing possession actions for breach or expiry; negotiating rent reviews or arrears resolutions; serving warrants or applications for interim relief; instructing surveyors and valuers for rent assessment; and, where needed, pursuing or defending insolvency or disrepair claims, all within strict court timelines.
