Qualifications and Career History
• Birmingham University, LLB Hons. (2.1)
• Trainee with Lovells (Lovell White Durrant) (1988-90)
• Admitted as a solicitor 1990
• Solicitor at Lovells (1990-1992)
• Solicitor at Lawrence Graham (1993-1999)
• Solicitor at DJ Freeman (2000-2002)
• Joined BWB in March 2003
• Partner BWB April 2004

Experience
Lesley acts for commercial, charity and private clients advising on all aspects of disputes connected to property including:
• Lease renewal negotiations under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
• Exercise and service of break options
• Repairing obligations and dilapidations
• Service charge disputes
• Rent reviews
• Possession claims for both landlords and tenants of commercial and residential property
• Claims relating to residential property under the Housing Act 1988 and the Rent Act 1977
• Claims for adverse possession
• Breach of professional duty
• Breach of covenant and enforcement of contracts and recovery of damages
• Alternative dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration

Recent Transactions
• Advising on the property rights of a charity and on a long running dispute with the occupier as to the basis and rights of occupation where no lease has ever been granted and the obligations to comply with charity law requirements.
• Defending a multi-million pound dilapidations claim and advising on the extent of liability to do certain works to aid negotiations between surveyors on the cost of the repair works and on the diminution in the value of the landlord's reversion. Ultimately concluding the settlement of the claim.
• Assisting leaseholders of residential property in making an application for a vesting order to have the headlease vested in them following the bankruptcy and disclaimer of the headlease by a trustee in bankruptcy.
• Commencing various proceedings for possession against an occupier of business premises who refused to complete a new lease and refused to pay rent or move out of the property and against residential occupiers who refuse to pay their rent.
• Obtaining an injunction against persons unknown in anticipation of future trespass onto a business park owned by several different parties who joined together to prevent the travellers from returning to the park. The Claimants had to demonstrate a real risk of further trespass and damage as well as a reasonable expectation that a trespass is going to occur.
• Advising unincorporated clubs on their rights of occupation of land used occupied for over 30 years without any lease or other written agreement, rent free, where the landlord is seeking possession.
• Recently advising a retailer of luxury goods in relation to a contested rent review of premises located in the West End of London on disclosure of evidence and challenging the landlord’s evidence on rental values, leading to a compromise being reached on a new rent significantly below the level the landlord had been seeking.

Lectures/Publications
• A regular speaker at public and in-house seminars on a variety of property related topics
• Contributor to the Property Newsletter

Pro Bono Work
• Lesley provides pro bono and discounted advice to charities and not for profit organisations including referrals from the Ethical Property Foundation and via Law Works for Community Group