Mario BettsManaging Associate

I advise on all issues relating to real estate disputes with a particular focus on the commercial aspects of property work. I act for a broad range of clients across the property sector from developers to landlords through to corporate occupiers.

I am a member of the Property Litigation Association, R3 – the Association of Business Recovery Professions, NARA (Association of Property and Fixed Charge Receivers) and the Insolvency Practitioners Association.

Real Estate

I advise clients on a range of contentious issues including: commercial lease renewals, dilapidations, rent and service charge disputes, forfeiture proceedings, break notices and changes in legislation. I also advise on property related professional negligence disputes (particularly involving solicitors and surveyors), and development issues such as boundary disputes, easements, restrictive covenants and rights of light.

Recent work includes:

• successfully advising on a multi-million pound claim relating to the termination of a contract for the sale of a landmark London property

• obtaining an injunction against a mortgagee and various third parties restraining them from disposing of the mortgaged property following a sale at an undervalue

• successfully opposing a challenge to the exercise of a tenant’s break clause 

• successfully advising on professional negligence claims against a firm of surveyors and a firm of solicitors

Dispute Resolution

I have a particular focus on insolvency related property issues. I regularly advise clients on strategies for debt recovery, bankruptcy and corporate insolvency (including administrations CVAs and pre-packs) with a particular expertise in relation to borrower default and the appointment of LPA/fixed charge receivers.

Recent work includes acting for the mortgagee in possession proceedings of a multi-million pound country estate