Daniel Dovar

Commercial landlord & tenant

Daniel’s commercial practice includes business lease renewal claims, property joint venture disputes, rent reviews and forfeiture cases.

He advises regularly on development issues such as restrictive covenants, building restrictions, rights of way and easements.

Residential landlord & tenant

On the residential side, Daniel deals with service charge disputes and right to manage claims. He receives regular instructions on enfranchisement and transactional matters as well as litigation and professional negligence issues.

Notable cases

• Unsdorfer v Octagon Overseas Ltd [2024] UKUT 59 (LC) Whether a s.24 appointed manager is an Accountable Person under s.72 of the Building Safety Act 2022
• Martin’s Commercial Ltd v Cineworld Cinemas Holdings Ltd [2023] EWHC 1925 (Ch) Could proceedings be stayed to enable to a tenant to seek a rent arrears reduction under the binding arbitration provided for by the Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022
• Kaushal Corp v O’Connor [2023] EWHC 618 (KB); [2023] L&TR 19 Lease construction – did lease terms permit cost recovery for proceedings brought over refusal to consent to assignment – had demand been properly made for costs in accordance with lease terms.
• English Rose Estates Ltd v Menon [2022] UKUT 347 (LC); [2023] P & CR DG1 Rectification by construction – whether lease permitted recovery of the cost of insurance premiums – case management – should a party have been permitted to raise issue on the morning of the hearing.
• Patwardhan v Ivygate Developments Ltd [2022] EWHC 3367 (Ch) Lease extension – validity of notice – lease construction – was roof space included within the demise – whether adverse possession in the alternative.
• Riverside v Unsdorfer [2022] UKUT 98 (LC) Appointment of a manager – Assignment of Landlord’s Interest – Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 – Appeal Procedure – Fresh Point on Appeal.
• Oaklion Properties v Denbighsire CC [2021] UKUT 49 (LC); [2022] RVR 16 Compulsory Purchase Order – Residual and Comparable Valuations – Planning Permission
• Point West GR Ltd v Bassi [2020] EWCA Civ 795; [2020] HLR 45 Powers of Tribunal on review (TPR r55)
• Rotenberg v Point West GR Ltd [2019] UKUT 0068 (LC) Multiple leaseholder representation – Tribunal Procedure Rules, rule 14 – Section 20C orders
• Reedbase v Fattal [2018] EWCA Civ 840; [2018] HLR 28; [2018] P & CR 14; [2018] L&TR 20 Construction of lease – making good obligations – statutory service charge consultation – whether change in works invalidated consultation procedure.
• R (on the application of O Twelve Baytree Ltd) v Rent Assessment Panel [2015] 1 WLR 276; [2014] 3 All E.R. 732 Right to Manage applications under CLRA 2002 – right to withdraw a claim – cost consequences.
• Furlonger v Lalatta [2014] EWHC 37 (Ch); [2014] L.&T.R.14 Construction of rent capping mechanism in leases linked to rateable value – application of Sudbrook Trading Estate to fix broken mechanism.
• Cole v Billington [2013] EWCA Civ 502; [2014] B.P.I.R. 350 Challenge to amount charged against property.

Appointments

• Deputy Chancery Master
• Judge of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Residential Property and Land Registration Divisions

Publications

• Boundaries and Easements 7^th Edition (Sweet & Maxwell)
• Business Premises: Possession & Lease Renewal 6th Edition (Sweet & Maxwell)
• Residential Possession Proceedings 10th Edition (Sweet & Maxwell)
• Service Charges & Management 4th Edition (Sweet & Maxwell)
• Megarry’s Manual of the Law of Real Property 9th Edition (Sweet & Maxwell)
• Building Safety Act 2022 (Law Society)
• Landlord & Tenant Review – Editor (Sweet & Maxwell)

Qualifications

• BVC (Very Competent), Inns of Court School of Law
• LLB (Hons), Bristol University

Memberships

• Chancery Bar Association
• Property Bar Association
• Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners

Testimonials

“Daniel is a very good, calm and user-friendly barrister. He is collaborative, clever, knowledgeable about possession laws, and a good advocate.”  Chambers UK 2025

“Daniel is an exceptional advocate but also provides clear, definitive advice that is excellent value. He provides commercial advice, and his gravitas instils confidence in clients.” Chambers UK 2025

“Daniel has excellent knowledge and understanding of landlord and tenant law and its underlying principles. He has a fantastic ability to absorb and analyse information quickly and to identify key issues.” Legal 500 2025

“A superb advocate.” Chambers UK 2024

“Working with Daniel is a pleasure – he is efficient, commercial and an astounding advocate. He takes challenging matters in his stride and remains cool under pressure.” Chambers UK 2024

“Daniel gives quick, clear, accurate and decisive strategic advice. He has a wide breadth of experience in landlord and and tenant matters, particularly with tribunal work.” Legal 500 2024

“He has an encyclopedic knowledge of the space.” “Daniel Dovar is a civil, responsive and thoughtful barrister.”  Chambers UK 2023

“Daniel has a timely and client friendly manner, using his strategic thinking to produce great advocacy at court and in tribunals.”  Legal 500 2023

“Daniel is an undeniable authority on possession claims and is well known for his approachability. He can be called on to assist with any property litigation matter, such is the breadth of his knowledge.” “He is commercially minded and cuts through the issues to find a practical solution for the client.” Chambers UK 2022

“He has a real feel for the area. A very switched-on landlord and tenant practitioner.” Chambers UK 2021

“He has a good reputation.” Legal 500 2021

“An exceptionally nice guy who is rated highly.” Chambers UK 2020

“Very down to earth, responsive and commercial in his advice.” Legal 500 2020 (Property Litigation)

“He has particular expertise in commercial and residential property litigation as well as general landlord and tenant matters.” Chambers UK 2019

“Gains the confidence of judges with his depth of knowledge.” Legal 500 2018

“Very persuasive and intelligent.”Chambers UK 2017