MEET THE TEAM

James Holton is a Senior Associate at DTM Legal specialising in property dispute resolution. 

With over 15 years’ experience, James is known for his ability to find practical and commercial solutions to complex issues, James advises clients in the commercial, residential and agricultural property sectors.
 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
 

James read Law at Lancaster University before completing his Legal Practice Course at the College of Law (now the University of Law).  James trained at a large regional firm in Chester.

Role within the DTM Legal Team
 

As a member of the property dispute resolution team, James plays a key role supporting clients who value his ability to get to the heart of the matter and achieve positive results.

His extensive knowledge based on many years of experience includes:
 

• Lease renewals and terminations.

• Rent arrears and forfeiture.

• Dilapidations.

• Possession claims and ownership disputes.

• Party wall and neighbourly disputes including injunction applications.

• Residential leasehold including service charge disputes and lease extensions.

• Rights of way and easements.

• Restrictive covenants preventing development.

• Agriculture and rural disputes including the termination of tenancies and succession applications.
   

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

James is known for his ability to act on complex and high-value property portfolios and disputes and has been ranked in the Legal 500 as a leading associate/rising star since 2018.

He is trusted by clients throughout England and Wales (as well by clients internationally) for his commercial awareness within the property sector, his strategic advice and his ability to collaborate effectively with asset managers, agents and surveyors.
 

Highlights include settling a high-value dilapidations claim regarding a national retailer’s head office, several complex lease terminations to facilitate development and the recovery of substantial service charge arrears for a right-to-manage company at premises in Central London. As much of James’s practice is advisory, many of his career highlights include unreported cases which were successfully resolved without the need for litigation to the gratitude and relief of his clients.
 

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, AFFILIATIONS, OR MEMBERSHIPS:
 

James holds memberships of the Property Litigation Association and Agricultural Law Association. He is also an affiliate member of The Faculty of Party Wall Surveyors as well as The Pyramus & Thisbe Society which enables him to keep up to date with developments in the party wall sector and to collaborate with party wall surveyors, promoting best professional practice in the application of party wall legislation.
 

PUBLICATIONS:
 

James is a regular contributor to DTM Legal’s insight page with articles relating to Property Litigation services. James brings specialist industry commentary to a wide audience with the goal of supporting his clients and network in minimising or mitigating against problems with their property investments.
 

James Holton’s articles on the DTM Legal’s website include An answer to the question of a landlords ability to recover legal costs from a leaseholder, Tips for developers for addressing restrictive covenants on land and insights into the benefits of collaborative legal strategies during nuisance claims. He has also co-authored an article in the RICS Built Environment Journal titled “Is the Party Wall Act now obsolete?”.
 

PERSONAL INTERESTS:
 

In his spare time James will be found in his garden, at the gym or supporting Stoke City FC.

 

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