HELEN CLOSE
PARTNER
Admitted as a Solicitor: 1995
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 020 3650 0366
Email: helen.close@djblaw.co.uk
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Property Litigation
Helen has 27 years’ experience in property litigation. Helen provides support to both owners and occupiers on all contentious property matters. She has a proven track record in advising clients on complex landlord and tenant and real estate disputes as well as experience working with client Property Directors and their teams providing assistance with all their strategic and day-to day portfolio management. Helen’s experience of property litigation management both in-house and in private practice has resulted in an astute commercial approach to dispute resolution and risk management.
Helen‘s experience covers the full spectrum of property disputes, litigation (including alternative dispute resolution), rent review disputes, tortious issues, developer disputes arising under property contracts, easement claims, professional negligence claims (arising from property matters), contract interpretation and disputes, covenant enforcement, break option advice, dilapidations and lease exit management and 1954 Act lease renewal claims. She is also an expert on the Electronic Communications Code. Helen’s successful reported cases include Blockbuster v Leakcliff Properties [1997] and Perry v Day [2005].
WORK HIGHLIGHTS
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Blockbuster v Leakcliff Properties [1997] 1 EGLR 28: An expedited Chancery trial (from issue to full hearing within 3 month) challenging refusal of the landlord to consent to an assignment due to diminution in value of reversionary interest.
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Perry v Day [2005] 2 BCLC 405: A successful and highly unusual/complex claim on behalf of shareholders against a fellow shareholder for reflective losses (This was a second court claim arising out of a joint venture property project that ended in significant dispute and losses)
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Jewson Holdings v Clydesdale Bank [2008]: A successful claim (which resulted in an unusual award of indemnity costs) on behalf of a property development client against the Clydesdale bank who wrongfully over-extended finance to a joint venture partner secured by guarantee given by the client.
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Management of large-scale break notices and lease renewal projects for retail client including strategic lease reviews.
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Work in the Telecommunications sector dealing with large scale project for site acquisition under the Electronic Communications Code and the issue of references in the Upper Tier Tribunal.
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Repudiation of lease claim on behalf of a tenant client resulting in successful settlement of case by agreement of a Deed of Variation relaxing the harsh alienation covenants (permitting the tenant client to assign the property).
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Expertise in lease renewal claims on behalf of both occupiers and owners particularly in relation to grounds (g) (own occupation) and (f) (redevelopment).