Jonathan Upton
UK Bar Guide 2025
Band 3 : Real Estate Litigation
Band 3
About
Provided by Jonathan Upton
Practice Areas
Jonathan’s cases invariably involve land and property but span commercial, company, fraud, trust and insolvency law disputes and related professional negligence. Jonathan is recognised as a leading senior junior having been providing advice and advocacy on these issues for almost twenty years. He has appeared in courts and tribunals at all levels, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. He is equally happy acting in large, complex litigation as part of a team as he is representing an individual landowner, developer or leaseholder. Jonathan is frequently against silks as sole counsel. He also acts in mediations and arbitrations.
Jonathan is acknowledged as a leading practitioner in the fields of restrictive covenants, rights to light and other easements, leasehold enfranchisement, tenants’ rights of first refusal, right to manage and service charges. Jonathan is particularly experienced on matters relating to mixed-use developments. He is frequently instructed in relation to joint ventures, overage, contracts for sale, options, injunctions, specific performance and orders for sale.
Jonathan has been ranked in the directories for many years where he has been described as “A silk in waiting. He has an unwavering ability to get to the commercial crux of a matter extremely quickly” and “the perfect package for complex and hard-fought property litigation. Jonathan is both technically brilliant and a creative advocate.” He “combines a sharp mind, deep knowledge, experience and seasoned advocacy with consummate client-handling skills”; he is “very cerebral, persuasive towards judges, prompt and easy to deal with".
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Jonathan Upton regularly handles matters concerning high-value properties and is an expert in such areas as tenants’ rights of first refusal, right to manage and enfranchisement. Commentators note that he really comes into his own in cases concerning service charges.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Jonathan is a thoughtful and clear barrister who is very good on residential-related property matters."
"Jonathan is extremely good for residential matters and is a very committed barrister."
"Jonathan is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is highly technically impressive and responsive. His advocacy skills are also excellent."
"Jonathan is a very bright and hard-working property disputes and mediation barrister."
"Jonathan has an excellent attention to detail and provides strategic advice."
"Jonathan is a thoughtful and clear barrister who is very good on residential-related property matters."
"Jonathan is extremely good for residential matters and is a very committed barrister."
"Jonathan is an absolute pleasure to work with. He is highly technically impressive and responsive. His advocacy skills are also excellent."
"Jonathan is a very bright and hard-working property disputes and mediation barrister."
"Jonathan has an excellent attention to detail and provides strategic advice."