Christian Fox

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Christian is developing a busy practice across a number of Chambers’ Civil law areas and appears in the Magistrates’ Court, the County Court and the High Court. He has also appeared in the First Tier and Upper Tribunal for property and the First Tier Tax Tribunal.

Before commencing pupillage, he was legal counsel at a boutique property management firm of Chartered Surveyors in central London. As a result, Christian is experienced in a range of property matters far beyond his year of call, including commercial and residential landlord and tenant disputes, super-prime commercial rent review arbitrations and service charge disputes.

Christian has also previously been a dairy farmer and soldier. He has served on a number of dairy industry bodies at board level and is a past Chair of the Dairy Council. He retains a special interest in agricultural matters and has extensive business experience which helps him relate well to commercial clients from all sectors.

He has always been interested in the Law, and worked at a magistrates’ court whilst at school, before serving in the armed forces. When the opportunity arose to study for his law degree and bar exams whilst working, he took it, relishing the chance to pursue his interest. He initially had a particularly academic interest in law, focussing on historic case law as a reflection of changes in society. This interest now serves him well in his practice, which he sees largely as a problem-solving challenge.

Property & Land Law

Christian particularly welcomes work in the areas of commercial and residential property, including landlord and tenant disputes, boundary disputes, matters involving rights of way and easements. He acts in complex possession cases involving obstacles to a landlord seeking possession.

He has a special interest in complex residential cases, agricultural tenancies, service charge disputes and leasehold enfranchisement.

He appreciates the emotional aspect of land law matters, particularly where residential property and boundary disputes are concerned, and is always happy to be instructed to assist a party at mediation, providing sensible advice about settlement.

In a previous role as legal counsel for a boutique property management firm of Chartered Surveyors in central London, his work involved some of the most expensive retail property in Europe (for example in super-prime areas like Bond Street) encompassing a range of issues including rent review disputes and interpretation of lease terms.

One particularly interesting case concerned a well-known building in central London roof-terrace restaurant, and a dispute over whether the landlord or the tenant was responsible for replacing the roof on which it was located. The case encompasses a range of complex, overlapping issues concerning the terms of the lease, such as whether the landlord could terminate the lease to carry out the work, or whether they had to work round the tenant in occupation. In such cases, Christian is able to offer a written opinion or carry the case through to court.

Christian Fox's Property & Land Law Cases

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Articles by Christian Fox

Penalties for not protecting a deposit

Added in Property & Land Law by Christian Fox

Background If a landlord does not protect a residential tenant’s deposit, there are repercussions. The Housing Act 2004 (“HA 2004”) imposes sanctions for non-compliance with the initial requirements to protect a deposit such that the court must order the landlord to pay a penalty award to the tenant (HA 2004, s214 (4)).  The level of … Continue reading →

Proprietary Estoppel

Added in Property & Land Law by Christian Fox

Introduction Estoppel is a murky legal topic, encompassing a number of concepts that are easily confused.  This short note aims to momentarily clear the fog and allow a glimpse into some of those concepts. The doctrine of estoppel goes back to at least the 1600s.  There are many forms including Proprietary, Promissory, Contractual, Estoppel by … Continue reading →

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Contract and Commercial

Christian is happy to receive instructions in contract and commercial matters and is adept at producing advice having read complex papers in a short timeframe.

He acts in a range of contract and commercial matters including:

  • breaches of contracts (such as non-delivery of goods or services, faulty goods, or non-payment for goods or services)
  • matters involving sub-contractors
  • interpretation of contacts
  • termination of contracts
  • claims for damages

Christian has particular experience of disputes relating to the residential building sector (builders, civil engineers, sub-contractors), schools and nurseries, energy services and contracts for provision of office equipment.