MICHAEL METLISS
Michael is a property litigation expert with over 30 years’ experience, and listed in the Legal 500 property litigation Hall of Fame. He advises across a full range of contentious commercial property-related issues, with a particular emphasis on landlord & tenant disputes.
Michael has a reputation for providing clients with clear, concise, practical advice, and energetic representation and support that keeps them out of court where possible.
An entertaining and popular communicator, Michael regularly presents to clients and contacts, and delivered a keynote talk to the 2019 Arbrix conference for property arbitrators and experts.
He has also written numerous articles for the property press.
Work Highlights
Acted for Land Securities, British Land, Hammerson and Intu, successfully challenging, in the Court of Appeal, the legal precedent that companies in administration could enjoy the benefit of occupation without having to pay rent as an administration expense.
Acted for Derwent London, successfully resisting an attempted rights of light-related injunction of a mixed-use development above Tottenham Court Road station.
Acting for Tesco in a distribution depot rent review, that required the expert determination of 4 legal issues.
Acted on behalf of the Crown Estate, obtained vacant possession for redevelopment of various Regent Street blocks.
Acted for Federated Hermes, taking to trial an unopposed business lease renewal, to decide the rental impact of a landlord’s break right being incorporated into a new lease.
Contesting, on behalf of Deliveroo, the challenge by a landlord to the exercise of a break option that was conditional on the tenant giving vacant possession.
Acted for Penguin Books, contesting a Regent Street disease-related service charge claim brought by the owner of Shell Mex House.
Litigating to trial, on behalf of the Electric Group, its opposition to the renewal of the Sheffield Leadmill nightclub lease on the own occupation ground.
