Dispute Resolution and Litigation
Phone
0131 656 5639
Address
Caledonian Exchange 19A Canning Street Edinburgh EH3 8HE
Paul has over 25 years’ experience in a broad spectrum of contentious business, property, public and regulatory disputes. He handles a variety of commercial disputes (breach of contract, sale of goods, professional negligence) seeking to achieve the desired commercial objectives as quickly as possible whether that be through negotiation, the commercial courts, mediation or arbitration. He has a particular expertise in a wide range of contentious property disputes both in the commercial and residential sectors acting for commercial landlords and tenants, estate owners, retailers, property developers, registered social landlords, Universities and the providers of purpose built student accommodation.
On the commercial property side throughout his career Paul has been involved in all aspects of contentious real estate disputes but with an emphasis on dilapidations, telecoms, irritancy and repossession including the removal of travellers and protesters. Paul also has extensive experience in professional negligence actions related to property transactions including claims against surveyors, architects and solicitors.
On the residential side Paul is recognised as an expert on contentious issues in the private and social housing rented sectors and as such is regularly invited to speak at seminars. He also provides advice on boundary disputes, servitudes and public rights of way and on the law on tenements and factors.
Paul is a member of the Property Litigation Association.
Out of the office Paul was until recently a long-serving board member of a registered social landlord and is presently on the executive committee of a charitable sporting organisation.
Paul is a recommended lawyer in Real Estate Litigation in The Legal 500.
"‘Paul Harper is so seasoned in this area that he can be relied upon to identify a pragmatic course early on.‘"
The Legal 500 UK
insights
The First-tier Tribunal’s first wrongful termination order provides a sharp warning to private residential landlords in Scotland who pursue eviction
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A recent Scottish Land Tribunal decision on renegotiating leases for telecoms masts may have strengthened the position for landowners
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If a commercial tenant becomes insolvent, landlords can exercise their right to a security for unpaid rent over movable property within the premises
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The Supreme Court has granted the appeal in favour of the FCA and policyholders in the Covid-19 Business Interruption Insurance Test case
news 8 January 2021
Commercial tenants recently failed to persuade the court that service charges had been demanded incorrectly via a deed of conditions rather than the lease provisions
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