Year of call: 2001
Geraint Wheatley is recognised as a leading junior in the 2023 legal directories, and has been ranked as such for a number of years. Recent commendations in Chambers UK include “Geraint is always a real part of the team when you work with him. Commercially and technically excellent, clients love him and he is always able to explain complex legal arguments in terms clients understand.”
He appeared in the leading case on adverse possession of recent times (Thorpe v Frank [2019] EWCA Civ 150), in which the Court of Appeal praised his submissions as “excellent”.
Geraint is an experienced chancery and commercial practitioner, combining an outstanding academic background with tactical awareness and an eye for detail.
Geraint is aware of lay clients’ concerns over certainty and cashflow. He is keen to assist in the resolution of disputes via ADR. He has the expertise to offer Early Neutral Evaluation, and has experience of providing independent Opinions on disputes (or specific issues within disputes) to help the parties to reach settlement. Opinions/Determinations can be provided on a binding basis (where the parties agree between themselves to adhere to the Determination, for example, on a particular legal issue or point of construction) or an advisory basis, where Geraint’s view can be taken away by both parties to assist with their own consideration of the merits and guide their settlement efforts
His practice covers the full range of property and commercial litigation, as well as professional negligence.
His real estate practice, which has a particular focus on commercial and development work, includes
He regularly acts in both the High and County Courts for institutional clients such as developers, banks and national limited companies. He has appeared a number of times before the Court of Appeal and the First Tier Tribunal: Property Chamber (formerly the Adjudicator to HM Land Registry). He has niche expertise advising LPA receivers.
Geraint regularly delivers seminars at Chambers events and in-house to solicitors. He has been invited to speak at multiple Property Litigation Association events and to provide training at the Business & Property Court District Judges’ national meeting. Areas covered have included:
Geraint’s real estate practice, which has a particular focus on commercial and development work, includes
Thorpe v Frank [2019] EWCA Civ 150
Leading case in the Court of Appeal in relation to adverse possession of land which is not enclosed.
North British Housing v Matthews [2005] 2 All ER 667
Court of Appeal gave guidance as to the court’s powers in possession actions based on mandatory grounds for possession
Bailey v Clark & Others
Important case which involved successfully persuading the Court that the law of nuisance in the Leakey v National Trust line of authorities ought to be extended to cover damage caused by excessive leaf fall onto a neighbour’s land.
Paton v Jackson
Boundary dispute described by experienced Chancery judge as the most difficult he had ever dealt with. The Judge held ‘I am unable to place any weight at all’ on the evidence of the other side’s expert witness following his cross examination.
Doleman v Sayle
Inter-relationship between apparently inconsistent provisions of the CPR as to service in the context of business tenancy lease renewals (case prompted change in CPR Part 56)
Black v Charlton
High-profile boundary and adverse possession dispute involving former England international footballer.
Southern Pacific Mortgage Co v Guarino
Action before the Adjudicator to HM Land Registry dealing with the effect of a lender’s inadvertent request to HMLR to remove its charge from the Register, notwithstanding that it had not been repaid.
Jennings & Dorins v Hayat
Complex possession claim on behalf of LPA Receivers in relation to hotel premises, involving issues of sale at an undervalue and the locus standi of the receivers to bring the case.
Geraint’s expertise in commercial litigation encompasses banking, all forms of contractual disputes, guarantees and sale of goods / supply of services.
Batey v Jewson Ltd & Anor [2008] EWCA Civ 18
Proper construction of an informal guarantee
Comedy Store v Archer & Co
Liability for fire damage following the supply of services.
Orios Dean v Kepler Capital Markets
Recruitment agency case involving issues of the creation of the contract, incorporation of terms, agency and the entitlement to commission
AstraZeneca v Central Ceiling Partitions & Thermal Transfer:
Large scale commercial litigation in the TCC arising out of defective air conditioning systems
Winfield v Frontline Solutions UK Ltd
Hard-fought commercial dispute requiring detailed and robust cross-examination of seven opposing witnesses.
CF Corporate Finance v Hillcrest Animal Health
Dispute over liability under commercial finance agreements.
Geraint regularly undertakes solicitor and surveyor professional negligence cases, particularly, though not exclusively, in the property and general litigation contexts.
Scotinvest v A Firm
Causation and the proper measure of damages in a conveyancing transaction
Bridge v A Firm
Dispute over the identity of the correct defendant in case concerning successor firms/firms holding run-off insurance following original firm’s negligence
Carson v A Firm
Conveyancing requirements under the Right to Buy scheme – delayed completion leading to cancellation of transaction
Johnson v A Firm
Requirements for expert evidence in the context of an allegedly negligent mortgage valuation survey.
Chambers UK 2022
“Geraint is superb to work with. He is responsive, commercial and very client-friendly.”
Legal 500 2022
“Geraint is incredibly capable, and provides clear, client friendly advice.”
Chambers UK 2021
“He has a measured skill as advocate.” “He is very thorough, technically strong, pragmatic and also good with clients.”
“He is a superb trial advocate. He is a tough negotiator who provides rigorous case analysis and thorough written advice. He is a joy to work with.” “Geraint is very thorough, precise and good with clients.”
Legal 500, 2021
“Geraint is incredibly accessible and provides concise commercial advice. His style is user friendly but efficient and concise.”
Legal 500, 2020
“Approachable, user-friendly and thinks outside the box.”
Chambers UK 2020
“He is very accessible, commercial and he provides clear advice.” “Incredibly user-friendly, easy to understand and good with clients.”
Chambers UK 2019
“Very approachable.” “He has a good understanding of the legal issues and is very methodical.” “Very good on his feet and very bright.”
Chambers UK 2018
“Very robust but also very friendly with clients.” “He’s really user-friendly, with no airs and graces, but also incredibly intelligent. I trust his knowledge of the law.” “A very good advocate. He is so thorough and gives good, clear advice.”
Chambers UK 2017
“Very commercially astute, he gets the job done.” “Exceptional property litigator, very commercial, someone I would be happy to put in front of any client.”
Chambers UK 2016
“Well respected by clients and peers alike for his strength in a wide variety of property issues, including boundary disputes and restrictive covenants. He is especially highlighted for his representation of lenders, and regularly handles possession claims. ”
“Very approachable and user-friendly.”
“Very knowledgeable for all matters including insolvency and bank-related litigation and advice.”
Chambers UK 2013
‘The “extremely bright” Geraint Wheatley offers expertise in all areas of property litigation. Sources praise the fact that he is “technically accurate but also practical, pragmatic and commercial.” He is further appreciated for his approachable and user-friendly style.’
Client comments and testimonials
“Thanks again for all your fantastic help yesterday and before. A great result in a hard fought case. [The client] is delighted, as am I! You did an excellent job.” Instructing Solicitor in case of Armour v Hindle
“I think you did a great job yesterday. Well prepared, insightful and excellent with the clients. I thought you worked hard and we had the benefit of your great intelligence. At each stage we had [the mediator’s] reports, I think [the clients] were really grateful for your immediate, clear and invaluable advice. A top job.” Instructing Solicitor in case of CF Corporate Finance Ltd v Hillcrest Animal Health Ltd
“The fact that we won the court arguments by a ‘landslide’ judgment, and the overall case over 6.5 days in court, is further testimony to the ultimate brilliance of Mr Wheatley in court” Lay client in case of Winfield v Frontline Solutions UK Ltd.
