Sarah Woolnough

Career

Sarah joined the Dispute Resolution Team in 1998 and works alongside Jeremy Ferris in the Property Dispute Team.

Sarah was admitted as a Chartered Legal Executive in May 2015 and was promoted to Associate in December 2020

Sarah deals with a wide range of property litigation work including landlord and tenant disputes (commercial and short term residential), long leasehold residential disputes, adverse possession claims, boundary disputes, prescriptive rights (rights of way or other easements) applications and “squatter” proceedings.

Sarah’s work involves dealing with the Land Registry, the Courts and the Property Tribunal as a means of resolving the disputes. Sarah also advises on other means of resolving disputes which is referred to as “alternative dispute resolution” and this can involve mediations and round table negotiations.

Sarah has developed a close working relationship with many local letting agents and surveyors in order to assist them and their clients. In relation to commercial leases, the work involved can be a lease renewal, a dilapidations claim following the ending of a lease, forfeiture of a lease for non-payment of rent or other breach of the covenants. In relation to residential tenancies, the work involved can be dealing with the grant of a short term tenancy and advising on a landlord’s legal obligations or terminating a tenancy for a breach such as rent arrears.

In relation to long leases of residential properties, Sarah deals with lease extensions, purchase of the freehold and service charge disputes.

Sarah’s clients range from private individuals to companies and her clients may own a single property or a portfolio of properties.

Sarah is also able to assist tenants where the landlord may be in breach of its obligations by failing to repair a property or carry out the necessary safety checks. In addition, Sarah can provide advice where the deposit has not been protected by the landlord.

Sarah’s approach to dealing with clients is down to earth by giving clear, practical and easy to understand advice.