Azeam qualified as a solicitor in 2004, Azeam has more than 20 years’ experience in litigation and dispute resolution. His property litigation practice encompasses disputes between joint owners, leasehold property, boundaries and access, possession and repossession, construction, planning, property insurance claims and professional negligence.

He also has particular experience of disputes where property ownership intersects with trusts, estates and inheritance, including recovering estate or trust property, disputes over beneficial ownership and applications for the sale of property.

Azeam has extensive experience of court proceedings, including cases in the High Court Chancery Division and the Court of Appeal. He takes a pragmatic approach to disputes, considering the commercial and practical outcome his clients want to achieve as well as their strict legal position.

Where possible, Azeam seeks to resolve property disputes through negotiation or other forms of dispute resolution, while drawing on his extensive litigation experience where court proceedings or urgent remedies are required.

Property litigation expertise

• Property ownership and joint owner disputes

Azeam advises on disputes involving two or more joint owners of property, including disagreements over ownership, beneficial interests, occupation and whether or when a property should be sold.

He can advise where one joint owner wants to force a sale and another refuses, as well as disputes over the valuation of a property or whether an offer below the asking price should be accepted. His experience also encompasses the sale of property following the dissolution of a partnership.

Where necessary, Azeam can advise on applications to court concerning the ownership or sale of jointly owned property.

• Boundary, access and party wall disputes

Azeam acts in disputes concerning property boundaries, access, rights of way and party walls.

His experience includes boundary disputes involving neighbouring land owned by the National Trust, as well as applications for injunctions to establish or protect rights of access.

Such disputes can involve detailed consideration of property titles, plans, historic documentation and evidence about the ownership and use of land.

• Leasehold property disputes

Azeam advises landlords, leaseholders and other interested parties on disputes involving leasehold property.

These can include disagreements about compliance with lease obligations and restrictions relating to matters such as pets, floor coverings, parking, service charges and licences to alter.

He also advises on disputes involving noise nuisance, water leaks and damage affecting leasehold property.

• Possession and repossession

Azeam has experience of residential and commercial possession and repossession proceedings, including more complex cases where property forms part of an estate or trust.

His experience includes seeking possession of estate property where an occupier refuses to leave following the death of the property owner, as well as repossession of assets held within trusts.

He also advises on the enforcement of court judgments against property, including applications which can ultimately result in the sale of a property to satisfy an outstanding judgment.

• Property insurance disputes

Azeam advises on contentious property insurance claims, including disputes concerning whether an insurance policy is valid and disputes over liability and the amount payable following property damage.

His experience encompasses claims involving serious property damage caused by incidents such as fire and suspected arson, as well as water leaks and flooding.

• Planning, listed buildings and conservation areas

Azeam advises on property disputes involving planning issues, including matters affecting listed buildings and properties situated within conservation areas.

Such cases can involve the interaction between property rights, planning controls and restrictions affecting how a property can be altered, developed or used.

• Construction disputes

Azeam advises on disputes arising from building and construction works, including matters involving JCT building contracts.

His experience enables him to advise property owners and other parties when disagreements arise over building works, contractual obligations, performance or associated property damage.

• Property-related professional negligence

Azeam acts in professional negligence claims arising from property matters, including claims against solicitors, surveyors and contractors.

His experience includes claims arising from conveyancing transactions as well as cases involving the transfer of property or other assets without the usual safeguards.

He also advises where a transaction may be challenged or potentially set aside because of fraud, misrepresentation, mistake or undue influence.

• Trust, estate and property disputes

Drawing on his wider contentious trusts and probate experience, Azeam is particularly well placed to advise where disputes about property overlap with trusts, estates and inheritance.

This can include recovering possession of estate or trust property, disputes over ownership and beneficial interests, and the forensic examination of trust documentation. His experience includes cases in which specialist techniques, including ink dating, have been used to investigate the authenticity and chronology of documents.

• Land Registry matters

Azeam advises on contentious and protective Land Registry matters arising from property disputes, including applications for notices and restrictions.

His experience includes matters involving UN1 and RX1 applications and issues falling within HM Land Registry Practice Guide 19 concerning notices, restrictions and the protection of third-party interests in the register.

• Litigation funding and After the Event insurance

The potential cost of pursuing property litigation can be an important consideration when deciding how to proceed.

Where appropriate, Azeam can discuss whether alternative funding arrangements may be available, including third-party litigation funding and After the Event (ATE) insurance, which may help manage some of the financial risks associated with bringing a claim.