Helen Bell

Helen is Head of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department and the firm’s Board Chair.

Helen has over 20 years experience of giving specialist property dispute related advice, having qualified in 1998. She is based in our Brighton office, and her clients include trusts, developers, commercial landlords and tenants, property managing agents and the private individual.

The range of disputes that Helen advises on is extensive; they include, for example, complex dilapidation cases for both the landlord and the tenant, lease renewals, rent & service charge recovery, forfeiture, boundary disputes, claims for rights of way or interference with these rights, other breaches of covenant and modification, adverse possession claims, co-ownership disputes relating to the beneficial interest, obtaining an order for sale where one owner objects and general landlord and tenant disputes. In addition, Helen deals with all nature of possession actions, whether the occupier is a tenant, licensee or a trespasser and professional negligence claims where there is a property angle such as those against architects.

Helen is frequently commended by her clients for her clarity of advice, professional approach and the ability to focus on their desired outcome. Her approach is underpinned by the knowledge that all clients desire the best possible outcome but balanced with a commercial focus. In this regard,

Helen has been a qualified commercial mediator since 2004 and is therefore well placed to advise when mediation may be appropriate. She is also a member of The Property Litigation Association.

Legal 500 2024 - Leading Individual - Real Estate, Property Litigation: https://zurl.co/vL3r

The property litigation team here is very approachable and professional offering calm, measured and commercial advice.’

‘Helen Bell – exceptional. Her speed and efficiency is second to none. Difficult clients do not phase her. Extremely knowledgeable.’

‘Helen Bell is a standout extremely dedicated property litigator. Helen is very astute in her case management and strategy and her client care is excellent. It is rare for Helen not to get an excellent outcome for her clients and much of what she does comes from repeat business.’

‘Helen Bell – incredibly driven, thorough and extremely knowledgeable. Never leaves a stone unturned!’

Chambers 2022 - Real Estate Litigation

Helen Bell has significant experience in landlord and tenant matters, including dilapidation claims and forfeiture and possession proceedings. She also advises on adverse possession matters and access disputes.
"She is very collaborative, knowledgeable and has a very strategic approach to cases."

February 2022 - Lawyer in the News - Helen Bell

Why is she in the news? Won a breakthrough case enabling a group of holiday home leaseholders to apply to purchase the freehold of their properties by proving that the properties could be defined as ‘houses’ under law.