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gunnercooke is the fastest growing corporate law firm in the UK, now making its mark globally. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
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Tom Seabrook
Partner
Property Dispute Resolution
Accolades
Expertise
Tom is a property advisor dealing with the resolution and avoidance of disputes together with general advisory work delivering commercial solutions to all types of, often complex, real estate problems.
Tom is dual qualified as a solicitor and Chartered Surveyor. Accordingly, he has a real understanding of real estate in all its forms. He spent several years as a senior portfolio manager, managing and rationalising a large portfolio for a FTSE 100 investor and developer gaining a strong understanding of value maximisation including release of marriage value, valuation generally, building condition, construction techniques and general landlord and tenant matters.
Since cross-qualifying he has acted for numerous owner occupiers, landlords and tenants on all manner of issues involving both residential and commercial property.
His commercial expertise includes landlord and tenant (renewals and opposition, service charge disputes, rent reviews and termination including forfeiture), lease renewals, dilapidations, Land Registration, rights of way and other easements (express or implied and including rights to light), boundaries and other neighbour disputes, proprietary estoppel and restrictive covenants, including modification and discharge.
On the residential side, Tom advises on landlord and tenant compliance for landlords. He also regularly deals with long leasehold work including Right to Manage, lease extensions, enfranchisement (individual or collective) and section 20 consultations in each case for both landlords and tenants.
Tom has an interest in regeneration, planning and the environment and is experienced in the contentious aspects of these including site assembly and planning enforcement. In addition, Tom acts regularly for banks and other lenders dealing with their most complex disputes including complex possession work, title issues, frauds and professional negligence claims.
His experience and commercial outlook have gained him a reputation for getting to the heart of complex and involved matters, quickly identifying the issues and providing cost effective remedies at an early stage.
Tom is a cochlear implant user and a Director of UK Deaf Sport.
Tom Advises
- Occupiers
- Landlords
- Developers
- Banks
- LPA Receivers
Experience Highlights
- Lead surveyor in rationalising 1250 property secondary and tertiary portfolio with proceeds reinvested in prime real estate.
- Site assembly for a number of well-known developers and town centre improvement schemes.
- Restrictive covenant advice, including modification and discharge, for a number of occupiers and developers.
- Numerous successful professional negligence claims against surveyors and solicitors including one client’s highest ever recovery.
- Acting for several lenders involved in large scale mortgage fraud to maximise value of properties in possession by proactive asset management.
Career History
Previous Law Firms
- TLT
- Irwin Mitchell
- Halliwells
- Eversheds
Previous Businesses
- Chartered Surveyor with Colliers Erdman Lewis / Colliers CRE and Chesterton
Education
- College of Law, York (LPC)
Expertise
Back to top
Tom is a property advisor dealing with the resolution and avoidance of disputes together with general advisory work delivering commercial solutions to all types of, often complex, real estate problems.
Tom is dual qualified as a solicitor and Chartered Surveyor. Accordingly, he has a real understanding of real estate in all its forms. He spent several years as a senior portfolio manager, managing and rationalising a large portfolio for a FTSE 100 investor and developer gaining a strong understanding of value maximisation including release of marriage value, valuation generally, building condition, construction techniques and general landlord and tenant matters.
Since cross-qualifying he has acted for numerous owner occupiers, landlords and tenants on all manner of issues involving both residential and commercial property.
His commercial expertise includes landlord and tenant (renewals and opposition, service charge disputes, rent reviews and termination including forfeiture), lease renewals, dilapidations, Land Registration, rights of way and other easements (express or implied and including rights to light), boundaries and other neighbour disputes, proprietary estoppel and restrictive covenants, including modification and discharge.
On the residential side, Tom advises on landlord and tenant compliance for landlords. He also regularly deals with long leasehold work including Right to Manage, lease extensions, enfranchisement (individual or collective) and section 20 consultations in each case for both landlords and tenants.
Tom has an interest in regeneration, planning and the environment and is experienced in the contentious aspects of these including site assembly and planning enforcement. In addition, Tom acts regularly for banks and other lenders dealing with their most complex disputes including complex possession work, title issues, frauds and professional negligence claims.
His experience and commercial outlook have gained him a reputation for getting to the heart of complex and involved matters, quickly identifying the issues and providing cost effective remedies at an early stage.
Tom is a cochlear implant user and a Director of UK Deaf Sport.
Tom Advises
Back to top
- Occupiers
- Landlords
- Developers
- Banks
- LPA Receivers
Experience Highlights
Back to top
- Lead surveyor in rationalising 1250 property secondary and tertiary portfolio with proceeds reinvested in prime real estate.
- Site assembly for a number of well-known developers and town centre improvement schemes.
- Restrictive covenant advice, including modification and discharge, for a number of occupiers and developers.
- Numerous successful professional negligence claims against surveyors and solicitors including one client’s highest ever recovery.
- Acting for several lenders involved in large scale mortgage fraud to maximise value of properties in possession by proactive asset management.
Career History
Back to top
Previous Law Firms
- TLT
- Irwin Mitchell
- Halliwells
- Eversheds
Previous Businesses
- Chartered Surveyor with Colliers Erdman Lewis / Colliers CRE and Chesterton
Education
- College of Law, York (LPC)
Testimonials
"Tom Seabrook is knowledgeable, helpful and provided an excellent service. I would definitely recommend gunnercooke."
Google Review
"Tom Seabrook has a very pragmatic approach, which matches his instinct in property cases borne of his experience as a chartered surveyor. He is robust and direct which makes working with him straightforward, for which I am grateful."
Client
"Tom Seabrook is an excellent solicitor — his knowledge, advice and speed of communication is amongst the very best that I have experienced."
The Legal 500 2021
Simply provides fantastic service and his knowledge is exceptional. Prompt, professional and very responsive — all great qualities that I value very highly in the professionals that I engage. I would, and indeed do, recommend Tom to all of my family, friends and colleagues.
Client
"An excellent litigator who is hardworking and knowledgeable, professional, experienced and determined; his tenacity and attention to detail is second to none."
The Legal 500 2020
"Tom was supportive in a stressful time for us, with clear communication on cost and timing; very good indeed."
Plus Guidance Global Limited
Director"Down to earth and very approachable, Tom acts consistently with speed and accuracy. He improves the balance sheet."
plc Banking Client
"Outstanding knowledge and communications with high level of attention to detail . Working with Tom is an absolute pleasure."
Client