About the PLA
The Property Litigation Association (PLA) is a members' organisation established in 1995 for legal professionals specialising in all aspects of commercial, residential and agricultural property litigation.
We organise member training and events, distribute news and thought leadership, publish case reviews, provide expert opinion and campaign for improvements in property law.
Our objectives are:
- to promote specialist property litigation skills within the property industry and among others with interest in property;
- to provide an active member network for the exchange of information;
- to promote education and training in property litigation;
- to serve as a public voice for property law through our media and public affairs campaigns.
About property litigation
By property litigation we mean the resolution of contentious property matters, including professional negligence claims relating to property transactions and advice, by means of litigation and other forms of dispute resolution.
Our members
Our success depends on the ideas and involvement of our members. We regularly run surveys and consultations to capture member perspectives on specific topics, and members are welcome to contact us with questions and comments.
Our members come from law firms of all shapes and sizes across the UK and Ireland – from sole practitioners through to international law firms – and everyone is welcome. All current members of the PLA are listed in our Members Directory.
Judge Elizabeth Cooke, President of the PLA
Judge of the Upper Tribunal, Lands Chamber
Judge Elizabeth Cooke was appointed as President of the PLA in March 2022.
Previous Presidents
- Liz Peace CBE (2017-2022)
- Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury (1995-2017)
Executive Committee

Rebecca Campbell, Chair
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
rebecca.campbell@bclplaw.com
020 3400 4791

Kate Andrews, Vice Chair & Chair, Education & Training Committee
Hamlins LLP
kandrews@hamlins.co.uk

Anna Mullins, Hon Treasurer
Forsters
anna.mullins@forsters.co.uk
020 7863 8320
07917 574097

Lindsey Whittle, Hon Secretary
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
ldwhittle@trowers.com
020 7423 8669 / 07929 746217

Paul Barker, Chair, PLA Regions
Gowling WLG
paul.barker@gowlingwlg.com
0121 393 2389

Chhavie Kapoor, Chair, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Mishcon de Reya
chhavie.kapoor@mishcon.com
020 3321 6189

Tim Reid, Chair, Website & Marketing Committee
Hogan Lovells International LLP
tim.reid@hoganlovells.com
020 7296 5873

Frances Richardson, Chair, Wellbeing Committee
Addleshaw Goddard LLP, London
frances.richardson@addleshawgoddard.com

Rachael Studman, Chair, Junior PLA Committee
07818 523029

Paul Tonkin, Chair, Law Reform Committee
Hogan Lovells International LLP
paul.tonkin@hoganlovells.com

Mark Reading, Immediate Past Chair
Mishcon de Reya LLP
mark.reading@mishcon.com
020 3321 7084
Regions
Our regional members are vital to the PLA's continued growth and success. PLA membership is organised into nine regional groups, with each providing their own training, support networks and opportunities to share best practice.
The Chair of the Regional Committee also sits on our Executive Committee, which meets on a monthly basis and ensures the voices of our regional members are heard.
Former Chairs
- 2023 - 2024: Mark Reading
- 2022 - 2023: Dellah Gilbert
- 2021 - 2022: Mathew Ditchburn
- 2020 – 2021: Gary Lawrenson
- 2019 – 2020: Kerry Glanville
- 2018 – 2019: Bryan Johnston
- 2017 – 2018: Martin Edwards
- 2016 – 2017: Alison Hardy
- 2015 – 2016: Keith Conway
- 2014 – 2015: Louise Clark
- 2013 – 2014: Jonathan Ross
- 2012 – 2013: Daniel Levy
- 2011 – 2012: Paul Greatholder
- 2010 – 2011: Jacqui Joyce
- 2009 – 2010: Joanna Lampert
- 2008 – 2009: Neil Benson
- 2007 – 2008: Tim Fogarty
- 2006 – 2007: Stuart Wortley
- 2005 – 2006: John Hewitt
- 2004 – 2005: Antony Phillips
- 2003 – 2004: Jason Hunter
- 2002 – 2003: Ian Brierley
- 2001 – 2002: Jeremy Grose
- 2000 – 2001: Matthew Marsh
- 1999 – 2000: Iain Travers
- 1998 – 1999: Rob Highmore
- 1997 – 1998: Katie Bradford
- 1996 – 1997: Chris Hancock
- 1995 – 1996: Ron Hogan
Academic Members
In order to strengthen our links with academia and promote the area of property litigation as a career choice for undergraduates, the PLA offers Associate Membership to academics specialising in property law.
Academic members as at November 2024
- Prof Susan Bright, University of Oxford
- Chris Bevan, Durham University
- Emily Carroll, Birmingham Law School
- Prof Simon Cooper, Aston University
- Prof Martin Dixon, University of Cambridge
- Amy Goymour, University of Cambridge
- Prof Michael Haley, Keele University
- Prof Nick Hopkins, University of Reading
- James Lee, King’s College, London
- Dr Emma Lees, University of Cambridge
- Prof Sarah Nield, University of Southampton
- Dr Brian Sloan, University of Cambridge
- Dr Lisa Whitehouse, Hull University
- Rachel Donnelly, University of Law, Leeds
Honorary Members
Since 2015, we have offered Honorary Membership to leading property lawyers who have made an outstanding contribution to the Association. Honorary Membership is limited to one or two appointments per year and only awarded to exceptional candidates.
2024
- Roger Cohen
2023
- Kerry Glanville
2021
- Sheriff Craig
- Matthew Marsh
2020
- Nicholas Dowding KC
- Wendy Miller
2018
- Katie Bradford
- Jeremy Hudson
2017
- Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, President of the PLA for some 20 years
- Vivien King (1950-2024)
- Suzanne Lloyd Holt
Latest news from the PLA
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Building for the Future: Socio-economic diversity and inclusion in UK Real Estate
28th Apr 2025
JLL UK Foundation commissioned the Bridge Group to conduct a study on social mobility in the real estate sector. The study analysed over 10,000 employees across thirteen of the UK’s most significant real estate companies, explored how diverse the firms are by socio-economic background (SEB), the factors contributing to the different levels of diversity, and the actions that can be taken to advance SEB diversity in real estate. Read the report and watch the video.Read article -
Property Week: Inspiring Diversity in Property (IDiP) sentiment survey
28th Apr 2025
Property Week has launched its third annual Inspiring Diversity in Property (IDiP) sentiment survey and they are asking for input to enable them to measure the extent to which words are being converted into action when it comes to the industry’s commitment to tackling the D&I gap.Read article -
Special discount for PLA Members on Sweet & Maxwell Property Law titles
23rd Apr 2025
As part of a new partnership with Thomson Reuters Sweet & Maxwell, we are delighted to announce that all PLA members can now enjoy a 20% discount on a number of property law titles, in both print and on ProView eBook. Available on purchases of mainworks, the mainwork plus supplement bundles and on stand-alone supplements, and includes the recently published new edition of Gale on Easements, 22nd edition. Offer available until May 31st 2025.Read article
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Blog: Law Reform Committee - Edition 8: Letter to Minister of State for Housing and Planning
16th Apr 2025
The Law Reform Committee wrote to Matthew Pennycook, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, and Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in January setting out proposals for reform of private property law constraints on housebuilding. The LRC would welcome any thoughts PLA members may have in relation to these proposals.Read article -
Blog: Law Reform Committee - Edition 7: The registration gap problem and suggested solutions
21st Mar 2025
The “registration gap” problem is a feature of the registered land system. In this seventh edition of their blog series, the Law Reform Committee explore the problem and offer possible solutions.Read article -
Welcome message from new PLA Chair, Rebecca Campbell
12th Dec 2024
New PLA Chair, Rebecca Campbell introduces herself, her Executive Committee and looks to the year ahead for the PLA.Read article