Solicitor – Admitted 1996
Andrew demonstrates detailed technical knowledge and provides prompt and practical advice.
The ‘Partner’ responsible for advising us at Michelmores is Andrew Baines. He participates in all the decisions we have to make as litigation proceeds. This is not necessarily rare, but he tends to advise which way to go when some lawyers would say ‘over to you, this is a commercial decision only you can make.
Overview
I am the Head of Michelmores’ Specialist Real Estate team, and the leader of the Property Litigation team.
I have over 30 years’ experience of coming up with the answers to property-related problems, and helping clients fight, or navigate their way through them.
Clients particularly value my judgment, my negotiating skills, and my ability to resolve their disputes outside litigation. But when litigation is involved, my experience covers all forums: from mediation, to arbitration; expert determination, the property tribunals and court action. I have been involved in a number of notable, reported cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal.
I have a first-rate team of lawyers to assist me. We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standard of service, and pragmatic and constructive advice.
I am ranked Band 3 in Chambers, for Real Estate Litigation, and I am a recommended lawyer for Property Litigation by the Legal 500.
Recent experience
Advising on all real property rights. The most commonly encountered are rights of way, rights of light, rights of drainage or water supply; nuisances such as flooding, subsidence, tree-damage, and noise; restrictive covenants, adverse possession and other land-ownership issues; and land registration disputes
Advising both developers and landowners on contractual issues, vacant possession strategies, title problems, overage disputes, and options and pre-emption agreements
Advising both business occupiers and landlords on all aspects of leasehold relationships, including: rent issues, service charge problems, disputes arising from alterations and improvements, telecommunications disputes, repairing obligations and dilapidations disputes, break options, statutory lease renewal and termination, forfeiture, the surrender of leases, contested assignments, and sureties and guarantees
Advising landlords and tenants on occupational agreements, assured and assured shorthold tenancies, long residential leasehold issues, rent and service charge problems and collection, contractual obligations, and the termination of tenancies
Advising on problems arising from secured lending on real property, mortgages and charges; dealing with receivers, administrations and liquidations in relation to business tenancies and development land; and company voluntary arrangements
