Donald Lambert

Consultant

Donald Lambert

Consultant

Email Donald

+44 (0)20 7457 3167

London

Download VCard

Services

Sectors

Donald is a senior member of the real estate disputes team. He advises landlords, developers and occupiers on the management and development of their portfolios.

The nature of those problems changes through the economic cycle, and he covers the full range of problems that one encounters, from enforcement of rent and other obligations to contract termination and insolvency. With a background in commercial dispute resolution, Donald is familiar with all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation in the courts, both in England and abroad, arbitration, expert determination and mediation. He has litigated cases up to Supreme Court level.

Business people approach disputes lawyers when they have a problem that they cannot solve themselves. I always stress the importance of understanding a client’s perspectives and devising a solution that focusses on their objectives.

Donald Lambert, Consultant

His current focus includes issues arising out of building safety failures relating to residential towers, hotels and student accommodation. This is coupled with disputes arising out of forward funding agreements, conditional sale/purchase agreements and conditional agreements for lease. Donald regularly advises landlords on all aspects of tenant insolvency including CVA, part 26A schemes and liquidation. He also has specialist experience in dealing with rights to light, oversailing and boundary issues, rent review arbitrations and expert determinations. His clients include insurers, pension funds and investment funds as well as developers, occupiers and large social housing providers/developers.

Recent work highlights

Recovering property portfolio

Acting for an investment fund in recovering possession of a 100+ property portfolio after corporate tenant default. This work was undertaken as part of a wider team investigating underlying fraud and potential claims against advisors.

Company voluntary arrangement

Advising a fund landlord on exposure to the CVA of a nationwide operator of temporary accommodation, which involved considering the terms offered in the proposal, and suggesting and negotiating amendments.

Rent arrears recovery

Acting for pension fund landlords and others in recovering substantial rent arrears from several hotel operator tenants, including advising on jurisdictional issues for claims against overseas entities.

Cladding repairs

Acting for an insurance company landlord coordinating cladding repairs and structural defect works by the landlord, tenants and developer across a large mixed-use estate.

Service charge arrears recovery

Advising the landlord of a mixed-use estate on the recovery of historical service charge arrears and on the implementation of complex title restructuring so as to preserve recovery rights.

Expert determination

Conducting complex expert determination to resolve a dispute over termination rights regarding an acquisition of headlease interest in a large mixed-use residential lead estate.

Sale dispute

Acting for a well-known social housing developer client in a dispute over the forward sale of 100+ units, including enforcement of pre-payment obligations and compliance with pre completion conditions.

Fire safety legislation

Advising in relation to the impact of fire safety legislation on both hotels and student accommodation.

Sale dispute

Acting for a well-known social housing developer client in a dispute over the forward sale of 100+ units, including enforcement of pre-payment obligations and compliance with pre completion conditions.

Fire safety legislation

Advising in relation to the impact of fire safety legislation on both hotels and student accommodation.

External recognition
Rankings from respected legal directories reflect the reputation our lawyers have earned across their key sectors and areas of practice.

What people are saying

Penningtons Manches Cooper has a strong property litigation practice, with particular expertise in the area of development disputes and block management. The team is knowledgeable and thorough.

Legal 500

Related news and insights
All insights