Graham has extensive experience acting for individual lessees seeking individual lease extensions, groups of lessees ranging from only two to over 200 who wish to collectively enfranchise (acquire their freeholds) as well as lessees of houses and mixed-use properties which can be enfranchised under the 1967 Act. Graham also deals with licences including complex licences for alterations and advises on rooftop developments.

He has been involved in a number of notable leasehold enfranchisement cases in the County Court as well as the High Court including the Waterside case. He has also achieved great success enfranchising very large blocks, with multiple complicating factors.

In addition to enfranchisement, Graham has broad experience of other complex residential property matters - both contentious and non-contentious. He is also skilled in acquiring the freehold of high-value houses in central London under the 1967 Act most recently a case where his “dream team” including a QC and senior valuer, acquired the freehold of a prestigious house and mews house in one of London’s premier squares, after the client’s previous advisors failed to appreciate the option available by using creative thinking.

Over the years, Graham has also developed niche expertise in the field of “de-enveloping” - the process by which residential property in the UK held in the name of an offshore company is transferred into the personal names of the beneficial owners, which if, handled correctly, does not involve payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax. There are usually other property tax issues involved as to ensure his clients get the best possible tax advice, Graham works closely with a firm of specialist tax advisors.

Graham is a people person and “thinks out of the box”. He makes clients feel relaxed by the clear explanations he gives and is particularly adept at skilfully managing groups of people no matter how large, in order to carry them with him to achieve the desired goals. Graham does little marketing – his best marketing tools are his many very satisfied clients.

Practice Areas

• Enfranchisement (including individual or group lease extensions, and groups wishing to collectively enfranchise.)
• Granting licenses for alterations and to assign and dealing with rooftop developments.
• De-enveloping

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