Clifford Chance
Ben Hatton specialises in property litigation and dispute resolution and litigation risk-avoidance.
Ben has expertise in all aspects of property disputes and landlord and tenant issues, with particular expertise in development issues including rights of light, rent review advice and arbitrations, property-related insolvency, professional negligence on property matters, asset management disputes including expert determinations and disputes in relation to contracts and issues arising out of Brexit.
His expertise includes rent review opinion writing, service charge disputes, fit-out disputes, dilapidations, alienation disputes, forfeiture, enfranchisement issues, easements, restrictive covenants, possession actions, contract and joint venture disputes, mortgage & charge portfolio enforcement and foreclosure, property finance disputes, 1954 Act disputes, and advising lenders and developers on risks on developments.
Ben is experienced in County Courts, High Court, Court of Appeal, Mediations, Expert Determinations and Arbitrations.
- Acting for owners of property portfolios in both the UK and in Europe in relation to asset management disputes and terminations, including both Court proceedings and expert determinations
- Acting for a developer in advising on a high-profile central London development, with multiple third party rights of light claims including rights to injunctions and successfully resolving all issues;
- Acting for both Landlords and Tenants in high-level rent review arbitrations, in both the City and Canary Wharf Estate, including dealing with the process up to and including Arbitration hearings;
- Acting for Landlords and Administrators in multiple high-profile insolvencies in issues arising out of Administration and Liquidation of Tenants of prime office and retail premises, including dealing with issues such as forfeitures and claims for rent as expenses;
- Acting for clients against negligent solicitors and surveyors on property transactions for example failure to register options and mistakes in serving break notices or in lease drafting.
- Acting for clients in contractual disputes arising out of issues connected with Brexit, including having successfully acted for Canary Wharf Group in its dispute with the European Medicines Agency ((Canary Wharf BP4) T1 Ltd v European Medicines Agency). The team have instructed Joanne Wicks QC and Jonathan Chew of Wilberforce Chambers to act for the client in relation to matters of Property Law, whilst Lord Anderson KBE QC is dealing with European Law issues. The Agency is arguing that its 25-year lease of premises at Canary Wharf will be frustrated (come to an end automatically) when the UK leaves the European Union. Canary Wharf Group is seeking a declaration so that the Agency is clear that its lease obligations will not be affected by Brexit.
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, London
- +442070064519
- Email me
- Practice area Real estate
- Sector Oil & gas
Career and qualifications
- The University of Sheffield (LLB Law) 1997
- Nottingham Law School (Diploma in Legal Practice) 1999
- Trainee solicitor, Eversheds 1999
- Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2001
- Passed Law Society Advocacy & Evidence, Ethics & Procedure Exams for Solicitor Advocacy 2002
- Associate, Linklaters 2005
- Joined Clifford Chance as Senior Associate 2006
- Director since 2016
Professional bodies
- Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales
- Member of the Property Litigation Association
- Member of the Education & Training Committee of the Property Litigation Association
Awards and citations
- Ranked in Band 4
Chambers UK 2024: Real Estate Litigation - "He is very tactical and very clever; he has a lot of experience dealing with big cases."
Chambers UK 2024 Real Estate Litigation - "I rate him highly; there's no question about his talents."
Chambers UK 2024 Real Estate Litigation - "Ben is an expert in property litigation. He's great."
Chambers UK 2024 Real Estate Litigation - Identified as a leading individual
Legal 500 UK 2024 for Property Litigation - ‘Ben Hatton is outstanding. Not only extremely bright, but highly experienced in property litigation.’
Legal 500 UK 2024 Property Litigation - ‘Ben Hatton is a friendly and enthusiastic leader of the team. Incredibly hardworking, he leaves no stone unturned in pursuit of his clients’ interests.’
Legal 500 UK 2024 Property Litigation - "Ben Hatton – a dedicated professional. Goes above and beyond for his clients." "Ben Hatton is a safe pair of hands."
Legal 500, Property Litigation 2023 - Ranked by Chambers & Partners UK for Real Estate Litigation
- Ben manages his team incredibly well and always brings out the best in them. He is an absolute pleasure to work with.’
Legal 500 2021 - ‘Ben Hatton leads a dynamic young team which combines strong technical knowledge with a ferocious work ethic and excellent client care. Equally comfortable acting for large corporate entities or individuals, they are that rarest of things: a magic circle team with the personal touch of a high-end boutique.’
Legal 500 2021 - Identified as a Leading Individual by Legal 500 UK for Property Litigation 2021
- "Market commentators affirm that Benjamin Hatton is "very impressive and widely respected at the Bar and by clients" and describe him as "a very calm and pragmatic operator." Hatton heads up the firm's London property litigation offering and is noted for his expertise in complex domestic and cross-border disputes concerning commercial real estate". Chambers & Partners UK 2020
- A leading individual in Legal 500 UK for Property Litigation in 2020
- “Ben Hatton specialises in commercial property, which translates into a regular flow of mandates involving property contract and property finance disputes as well as property-related insolvency and restructuring matters.”
Legal 500 UK 2020 - "Ben Hatton brings out the best in his team and has a very good sense of his clients' needs."
Legal 500 UK 2020 - "Ben Hatton leads the team and is ‘capable of handling the biggest disputes’."
Legal 500 UK 2019 - "At ‘strong firm' Clifford Chance LLP, the ‘impressive and concise' Ben Hatton, who is ‘an experienced and able property litigator’, heads the practice, advising across the full gamut of property litigation with particular expertise in development disputes."
Legal 500 UK 2017 - "Clifford Chance LLP provides ‘excellent-quality’ contentious advice through experienced director Ben Hatton."
Legal 500 UK 2016 - "Ben Hatton often advised on insolvency-led property litigation matters. Sources say: 'He has a good combination of technical legal skills and an ability to get under the skin of what the issues are and what matters to the client'."
Chambers & Partners UK 2016 - "Ben Hatton and Jane O'Leary are recommended."
Legal 500 UK 2015 - "Ben Hatton works extensively with major clients on property insolvency cases and fit-out disputes."
Chambers & Partners UK 2015 - "Ben Hatton is regarded by sources as 'very, very technically competent'. He has a wide-ranging knowledge of all aspects of real estate litigation, with particular natural resource sector expertise."
Chambers & Partners UK 2014 - "Ben Hatton is respected by market observers for his broad property litigation skills and noted knowledge of property-related insolvency matters. He recently acted for one of the firm's prestigious international clients on a complex freehold and leasehold enfranchisement and lease extension claim."
Chambers & Partners UK 2013 - "Ben Hatton recently acted...in complex negotiations with the Administrators of an insolvent tenant...concerning the high-profile forfeiture of the lease."
Chambers & Partners UK 2012 - "Ben Hatton has extensive insolvency expertise, which has led to him being instructed on a number of high-profile matters recently."
Chambers & Partners UK 2011 - "Ben Hatton...exhibits an 'impressive level of skill', particularly in rent review matters".
Chambers & Partners UK 2010 - "The 'bright and practical' Ben Hatton catches market attention with his involvement with a contested rent review. Peers describe him as 'the kind of lawyer that clients just love'."
Chambers & Partners UK 2009