David Lipson

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Practice overview

David Lipson specialises in property law. His practice encompasses landlord and tenant disputes (both residential and commercial), real property disputes and associated professional negligence claims. David also acts on commercial disputes and employment law.

David was trial counsel for the Mary Ward Legal Centre in a six-day High Court trial, led by Peter Petts alongside Mark Erridge, in Christie v Mary Ward Legal Centre and Andrew Dymond [2025] EWHC 330 (KB). The trial concerned a claim by a former leaseholder for professional negligence against a legal aid charity, and the barrister they instructed, for allegedly negligent advice concerning a forfeiture claim.

David recently completed a six-month secondment with the Real Estate Dispute Resolution team of a London-based solicitors firm. He has experience handling claims through all stages of the litigation process, from initial inception all the way to trial, and is responsive and approachable with clients.

Before joining chambers, David worked as an assistant to a media law barrister who specialised in defamation claims. They achieved successful outcomes for numerous clients including prominent politicians, foreign and domestic, and public figures on social media. He has experience advising and drafting pleadings in complex defamation disputes.

David graduated from University College London with a First Class LLB, and an LLM from Queens’ College, Cambridge. He achieved a distinction in his Bar Practice Course, for which he received both the Roger Cox Scholarship and an Advocacy Scholarship.

David enjoys travelling the world and cycling, occasionally at the same time.

Areas of expertise

Property
- Commercial landlord & tenant
  Commercial landlord & tenant
  David accepts instructions in all manner of landlord and tenant disputes, covering both residential and commercial, and matters ranging from possession claims and service charge disputes through to disrepair.
  
  David recently appeared in a six-day High Court trial, led by Peter Petts along with Mark Erridge, in Christie v Mary Ward Legal Centre and Andrew Dymond [2025] EWHC 330 (KB), a complex and long-running professional negligence claim concerning advice given in respect of a forfeiture claim for breach of a service charges covenant. David, Peter and Mark represented the Mary Ward Legal Centre; the claim was dismissed in its entirety.
  
  David has a particular interest in forfeiture claims, and has experience advising, pleading and representing both landlords and tenants in residential and commercial disputes for all manners of breaches including rent arrears, breach of user covenants, and immoral user.
  
  David also has ample experience with disrepair claims. He frequently advises on liability and quantum, and appears at trial, for claims under s.9A and s.11 LTA 1985.
  
  Recent work includes:
  
  Representing a former residential tenant in a claim against their landlord for unlawful eviction, where the landlord had deconstructed the kitchen whilst the residents were in situ.
  
  Representing the landlord in a fast-track possession trial, dismissing the disrepair counterclaim in its entirety.
  
  Advising a motorway service operator on end of term and reinstatement obligations within its commercial lease portfolio.
  
  Advising the freeholder of a large residential block as to its obligations and rights of access regarding reinstatement works resulting from an insured risk.
  
  Advising on 1954 Act lease renewals, on both substantive and procedural issues.
  
  Advising on the merits of an application for a rent repayment order.
  
  Assisting John de Waal with drafting pleadings in respect of a forfeiture claim for breach of user covenant.
  
  Drafting pleadings and representing the landlord in a forfeiture claim concerning breach of numerous covenants including permitted use and alterations.
  
  Representing one of two tenants in a possession claim for a high-value rental property in Mayfair, ultimately reaching settlement on favourable terms.
  
  Drafting pleadings and advising on service outside the jurisdiction in respect of a residential property claim concerning rent arrears exceeding £1,000,000 for a penthouse suite near Hyde Park, London.
  
  Drafting Particulars of Claim for breach of covenant in respect of commercial property where the commercial tenant had entered liquidation.
  
  Representing residential landlords in Part 8 claims concerning a breach of tenancy deposit requirements.
  
  Residential possession claims under s.21 and s.8, ranging from rent arrears to anti-social behaviour.
- Leasehold & leasehold management
  Leasehold & leasehold management
  David has experience advising and drafting pleadings in service charge disputes.
  
  During his pupillage, David assisted Brie Stevens-Hoare KC, Emily Betts and Cameron Stocks in a longstanding residential property dispute involving a s.27A application in the FTT, a Part 8 claim in the High Court on the construction of a lease (Triplark Limited v Philip John Whale and others [2024] EWHC 1440 (Ch)), and a claim for breach of trust and negligence against a former statutory manager of a residential apartment block.
  
  Other recent work includes:
  
  Advising and drafting pleadings for a freeholder in a dispute concerning the termination a managing agent agreement, and non-disclosure of documentation relevant to the freeholder’s building safety obligations.
  
  Advising a client on the merits of a claim to leasehold enfranchisement pursuant to s.5 Leasehold Reform Act 1967.
  
  Representing leaseholders in an Upper Tribunal appeal concerning the proper construction and effect of a service charge clause with respect to ad hoc service charge demands
  
  Summary judgment application against a resident who opposed money judgment for unpaid service charge arrears.
- Real property, mortgages and trusts of land
  Real property, mortgages and trusts of land
  David has experience on all manner of real property disputes, ranging from advising on restrictive covenants and boundary disputes, through to claims for substantial interference with an easement.
  
  Recent work includes:
  
  Drafting a Defence and Counterclaim with Rory Cochrane in a claim concerning nuisance by flooding and consequent property damage.
  
  Advising a mortgagee on proper possession procedure with respect to mixed-use property subject to a legal charge.
  
  Advising on the enforceability and modification of a freehold covenant not to construct a building without the consent of a neighbouring property.
  
  Advising the freeholder of subservient land as to the risks of a claim for substantial interference with an easement as a consequence of its planned development works.
  
  Advising and representing the beneficial owner of a residential property in a TOLATA dispute.
  
  Advising on the merits of a boundary dispute in circumstances where neither party was a party to the original partitioning of land.
  
  Advising on the merits of a claim for easement by way of prescription.
  
  Advising a seller in respect of an overage clause in a Deed of Transfer.
Commercial dispute resolution
- Commercial dispute resolution
  Commercial dispute resolution
  David has a busy commercial practice, with a particular interest in disputes that intersect with property law.
  
  Recent work includes:
  
  Successfully striking out particulars of claim in a dispute concerning the allocation of liability for water supplied to premises which was subsequently divided up and leased out.
  
  Advising on misrepresentation in an auction sale dispute.
  
  Drafting written submissions for an expert on the proper valuation of an employee’s company shares.
  
  Drafting a Reply and Defence to Counterclaim in a dispute concerning breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and breach of settlement in respect of renovation works undertaken at a residential property.
  
  Drafting pleadings and representing a contractor at trial in a Consumer Rights Act 2015 dispute concerning the installation of windows and doors.
  
  Pleading particulars of claim in a misrepresentation dispute concerning a luxury vehicle.
  
  Obtaining a final charging order against a Defendant in respect of a judgment debt exceeding £400,000.
  
  Representing a drinks supply company at trial against a venue which had failed to pay outstanding invoices for goods supplied.
  
  Successfully representing a firm of solicitors at a jurisdiction hearing, where the Defendant had sought to evade service by moving abroad.
  
  Assisting James Shaw with drafting pleadings for an unfair prejudice claim concerning shareholders of a franchise.
  
  Drafting a Defence and Counterclaim for breach of contract against a recruitment agency claiming unpaid invoices.
- Employment
  Employment
  David accepts instructions for all manner of employment disputes. Prior to commencing pupillage, David worked as an assistant to an employment barrister and assisted with drafting pleadings in disability discrimination claims, sex discrimination claims and unfair dismissal claims. He also gained experience advising on redundancy consultation requirements.
  
  Recent work includes:
  
  Representing a former employee in a claim for unfair dismissal and whistleblowing.
  
  Representing a school academy trust in a county court trial against a former teacher for breach of contract.
  
  Advising on a disability discrimination claim concerning medical insurance coverage provided by an employer to employees.
  
  Advising on the interplay between the Employment Tribunal Rules and the CPR in the Employment Tribunal.
  
  Advising as to whether individuals constituted workers or independent contractors.
  
  David has also presented webinars on employment law matters such as Trade Union law and the changes implemented by the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Professional negligence
Professional negligence
David accepts instructions for claims concerning professional negligence by a range of professions including solicitors, surveyors and builders

David recently appeared in a six-day High Court trial, led by Peter Petts along with Mark Erridge, in Christie v Mary Ward Legal Centre and Andrew Dymond [2025] EWHC 330 (KB), a complex and long-running professional negligence claim concerning advice given in respect of a forfeiture claim for breach of a service charges covenant. David, Peter and Mark represented the Mary Ward Legal Centre; the claim against it was dismissed in its entirety.

Other work includes:
- Drafting Particulars of Claim for a professional negligence claim against a surveyor with respect to defects present on a boat at the time of purchase.
- Drafting a Defence for a contractor accused of negligent repair works to the roof of a residential property.
- As a pupil, researching the law on collateral attack as an abuse of process, raised by opposing counsel on the first day of a four-day professional negligence High Court trial.