Matthew Hall

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Year of Call: 1999

Matthew has developed a busy practice with a strong emphasis on the law of real property; in particular, adverse possession, restrictive covenants, easements, proprietary estoppel and trusts of land.

In addition, Matthew regularly acts and advises in landlord and tenant disputes (including proceedings in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal), negligence claims arising out of property transactions, boundary cases and private law nuisance actions.

A significant proportion of Matthew's practice now also arises out of probate proceedings and claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act.

Dispute Resolution

Matthew frequently acts in private law nuisance cases (including flooding, encroachment and unstable structures) and other contractual / commercial matters (in particular acting for persons and companies involved in property development).

Professional Negligence

Matthew's practice in this area concentrates primarily on negligence in conveyancing or in arranging security for lenders. Matthew has also advised on negligence arising out of the conduct of property litigation.

Real Property

With a broad expertise in the law of real property, including boundaries (recently retained by the body seeking to register title to the bed of Lake Windermere), easements, adverse possession and proprietary estoppel / trusts of land, Matthew appears regularly before the Adjudicator to HM Land Registry.

Matthew also acts in landlord and tenant cases, primarily in the business context (for example, recently retained to advise a well known commercial firm of solicitors in respect of its own dilapidations claim) but also appears with frequency in the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal in service charge disputes.

Appeared in the following Court of Appeal cases

Bradford v James [2008] EWCA Civ 837 (extrinsic evidence in construction of conveyance)

Latimer v Carney [2007] 1 P & CR 213 (correct approach to assessment of damages in dilapidations claims)

Tennant v Adamczyk [2006] 1 P & CR 485 (adverse possession)

Trusts and Probate

Frequently advises and acts in disputed wills cases and disputes arising out of the administration of estates. Matthew has recently delivered talks to members of STEP (on secret wills and negligence in the preparation of testamentary scripts). Matthew also acts in the claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Probate and inheritance work forms an increasing element of Matthew's practice.

Career and Education

University:                             Oxford University

Degree:                                 Law with Law Studies in Europe (French)

                                            First Class

Year of Call:                          1999

Circuits:                                Member of the Northern Circuit and the

                                            North Eastern Circuit

Membership:                         Chancery Bar Association

                                            Northern Chancery Bar Association

 Other:                                   Direct Professional Access: Yes

                                            Direct Public Access:          No