Laura is a partner specialising in property litigation.
She has significant experience in property litigation and resolving a wide range of property disputes whether they relate to leasehold matters, title issues or contractual disputes involving land.
Whilst the majority of her work is on commercial landlord and tenant disputes, she is equally skilled in dealing with mixed-use and residential issues.
Laura can assist with issues including:
- Opposed and unopposed lease renewals under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
- Breach of lease issues
- Rent review disputes
- Dilapidations claims
- Applications for consent to assign/sublet and alter
- Rent arrears recovery
- Forfeiture
- Mortgage repossession
- Insolvency issues relating to property
- Disputes relating to occupational licences
- Adverse possession claims
- Restrictive covenants and easements advice
- Disputes regarding the development of land including overage
- Rights to light issues
Laura has spent a significant part of her career acting for lenders, and receivers appointed by them, and is particularly well versed in property litigation with an insolvency aspect.
She is experienced in all types of enfranchisement work, including collective enfranchisement, particularly lease extensions, where the premiums are high.
Having been embedded with real estate lawyers for almost the entirety of her career, she works closely with real estate colleagues to anticipate and resolve issues on their transactions and as such is recognised as a trouble shooter within the firm.
Court proceedings are often a last resort but she believes in taking a robust approach whenever necessary. That said, she is a strong advocate of mediation where appropriate. Her practice takes her before the Adjudicator to HM Land Registry, to the First Tier Tribunal (Property Division) and the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) as well as to the High Court and County Courts.
Laura regularly provides legal update sessions for clients on a wide variety of topics within her practice area.
Laura is based in our Watford office, but can support you nationally.
She has strong knowledge of property law, she is pragmatic and unfailingly polite and responsive. She is a very impressive and reassuring property litigator.
What others say
"I work primarily with Laura Seaman, who is a Partner in VWV’s Watford office. If I could create an ideal solicitor to work with, it would be someone like Laura. She is knowledgeable about the law but pragmatic with it. She is sensible in managing clients’ expectations, and in her delegation of work. I always trust her to do what needs to be done. On top of all that, she is an absolute pleasure to work with." - Legal 500
"Her attention to detail, thoroughness, quality of advice and level of service are excellent." - Chambers
"Laura is a really impressive litigator who concentrates on landlord & tenant work." - Chambers
What You Might Like to Know
Laura is a member of the Property Litigation Association and an associate member of NARA.
She enjoys cycling and life drawing in her free time.
Other teams Laura works with
Laura also works alongside our Commercial Property and Insolvency teams.
