Christopher Lee
Associate
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Location
London
Profile
Services
Chris is an experienced litigator whose practice covers dispute resolution and advisory work on a wide range of contentious property matters.
Chris originally trained and qualified at a global law firm as a transactional Real Estate lawyer, but subsequently pivoted into contentious commercial Real Estate advisory and disputes roles. Over the years, Chris has built up additional expertise in aspects of insolvency, residential property (contentious and non-contentious), construction and project finance. This unique combination of experiences gives him a holistic knowledge base and perspective on risk in all matters pertaining to the built environment.
Chris’ role spans the full range of contentious property advisory and litigation work, including:
- advising on de-risking property transactions to mitigate litigation risk;
- advising on contentious matters in the context of future, ongoing or historic disputes;
- advising on and conducting litigation;
- representing clients in mediations, expert determinations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution; and
- mentoring and delivering L&D training and knowledge management.
Over his career, Chris has acted for a wide and diverse base of clients. He has acted for funds, institutional landlords and lenders on a range of commercial and specialist property matters, with a particular focus on multi-class asset management and property development. A particular niche is advising on rights to light matters, assisting developers and lenders with assessing rights to light risk, and pursuing strategic outcomes to avoid litigation (including serving LONs and negotiating deeds of release). However, Chris also has significant experience in representing corporate tenants in the retail, logistics, tech, telecoms, financial and hospitality sectors, as well as family offices and private individuals with personal disputes.
Career Highlights
- Secured a comprehensive and wide-ranging injunction against three urban explorers and persons unknown for a major stadium operator, to prevent future trespasses onto the roof of the stadium. The court was persuaded to grant the injunction on the basis that the publicity and income generated by videos of prior trespasses posted to social media by urban explorers would likely lead to repeat trespasses or ‘copycat’ efforts by third parties, which would entail a significant risk to health and safety, as well as of property damage.
- Successfully acted for an international renewable energy company in a contractual interpretation dispute at the High Court. The dispute centred around a lease of a solar farm in Wales and whether an unusually drafted RPI indexation provision in the annual rent review formula should be rectified as a mistake. The court agreed with the client’s interpretation that a literal reading would produce a commercially absurd result and ordered rectification, enabling the client to continue trading and operating the solar farm.
- Successfully acted for a developer in a multimillion pound dispute centred around alleged breach of rights of light. Following an expert determination on liability, it was held that the adjoining owner did not in fact enjoy any rights of light by virtue of a section 3 Prescription Act 1832 consent in a historic deed of conveyance. As a result, the client was able to proceed with its redevelopment of a derelict building in Central London into a boutique hotel.
- Pursued a major UK retailer in a high six figure commercial rent arrears dispute on behalf of a property fund, which was resolved by way of a comprehensive admission and settlement of claim – with full legal costs – one week before trial.
- Defended an international leisure company in possession proceedings during Covid-19 lockdown and secured a favourable settlement of the dispute following mediation and disclosure. The successful management of this dispute enabled the client to draw a line under a key financial risk and progress with its post-lockdown turnaround plan.
- Worked pro bono to represent a vulnerable client in a claim under Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 against a former partner, to recover a share of their interest in jointly-owned family property.
- Advised on a detailed vacant possession strategy for a site in East London for an asset manager to facilitate a proposed mixed-use residential and commercial redevelopment. Subsequently pursued the strategy through Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 proceedings and advising on renewal lease and licence negotiations.
Memberships and Professional Bodies
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