PDC Law is a niche legal firm specialising in all matters relating to property, especially property related debts.
As an alternative business structure, we do things differently. The Board of Directors comprises lawyers, non-lawyers and entrepreneurs. Because of this range of expertise, PDC Laws clients benefit from high quality advice as well as commercial insight, which we believe to be invaluable. Acting for freeholders, landlords, management companies, managing agents, right to manage companies and court appointed managers we have enjoyed steady growth and employ in excess of 30 members of staff.
We provide tailored, practical, and cost-effective legal advice and representation for a broad range of Landlord and Tenant matters, covering both leasehold and freehold properties.
Our main areas of work are in respect of rent arrears, service charges and associated costs. Our clients are some of the biggest property companies in the UK and have the benefit of our services on an enhanced no win no fee basis. Unlike all our competitors we fund all disbursements. All costs we incur (including the disbursements) are only payable by our clients if our clients recover them from the other side first.
What PDC Law offer
Ground Rent Recovery
We will review your Lease and associated documentation to ensure that you have complied with both your contractual and statutory obligations.
We are aware and recognise that Ground Rent has become a valuable source of income for Landlords with many Tenants simply ignoring or forgetting their obligations. Our dedicated team are able to guide you through the process and advise you on the most cost effective and beneficial method of recovery
Service Charge Recovery
Service charge is a highly regulated area and we understand the complexities this law entails. Our unique approach enables us to identify any issues at an early stage, provide advice and tailor each instruction, with costs at the forefront of our mind, ensuring a commercially minded outcome.
Forfeiture/orders for sale
Forfeiture/ Orders for sale are the strongest methods of enforcement open to you to recover sums from unwilling or uncommunicative tenants. Traditionally, courts have tended to ‘lean against forfeiture’ as it is seen as a harsh remedy given the relatively small amounts of debt that are usually involved. However, utilising our experience we have witnessed a trend in which courts have been prepared, more and more, to make such orders where the various legal requirements have been met. Courts will make outright orders for possession – in which case your clients will be handed their properties back – but even where such outright orders are not made, the tenant will usually be allowed to keep the property only if all charges and legal costs have been paid.
Jonathan Wragg presents PDC Laws possession cases at court in his capacity as a barrister. Before hearings, his position within the firm means that he is able to liaise closely with our Enforcement Team to ensure that all the necessary procedural steps have been taken. Jonathan is also able to advise generally on the more complex issues that can arise in such cases. Such close collaboration frequently results in successful results for PDC Law’s clients.
Lease Extension, Enfranchisement, Right to Manage and non-contentious
Our non-contentious Team is a fast growing team acting for landlords and management companies. Lawyers are experienced in lease extensions, collective enfranchisements, right to buy, right to manage, licences and deeds generally. The team is headed by Angela Paul, who has over 13 years’ experience.
In the last few years we have completed thousands of matters for our clients with little or no cost to them. These processes can often be complex, difficult to follow and are riddled with expenses if not adhered to correctly. It is vital clients are aware of the issues and instruct a firm who have both the knowledge, expertise and are able to simplify the issues into easily digestible information.
Breach of Covenants
Tenant default is PDC Law’s main area of work. Whether your tenants have failed to pay their service charges or rent or whether they are in breach of other covenants (e.g. unauthorised alterations, sub-letting, advertising property on Airbnb or unauthorised parking on estates) PDC Law can work with you to seek a resolution whether through the courts or otherwise. We combine legal knowhow with commercial pragmatism to deliver results quickly and cost-effectively.
PDC Law Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team are able to guide you and your clients through the process and by taking a pro-active stance, PDC Law can lead the process leaving your staff with as much time as possible to concentrate on their main areas of work.
Key individuals
Reece Wheeldon – Managing Director
Email; Reece.Wheeldon@pdclaw.co.uk
Reece is a Graduated Legal Executive and has over 10 years’ experience in the property sector. Reece specialises in all forms of commercial and residential property litigation and has particular expertise in acting for Landlords in connection with residential debt recovery, breach of covenants, leasehold enfranchisements, right to manage and residential landlord and tenant matters generally. He leads the firm’s Operations and Finance teams, and is responsible for the overall management.
Jonathan Wragg – Legal Director
Email; Jonathan.Wragg@pdclaw.co.uk
Jonathan is Director and Lawyer Manager of PDC Law and the firm’s Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (HOLP). He is also a qualified barrister who practices from Highgate Chambers Limited. Jonathan has worked with PDC for over 10 years and has undertaken property litigation matters since being called to the Bar in 1995. He represents PDC Law’s clients in a range of property disputes in the County Court, First Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal.
Dominic Cassidy - Business Development Director
Email; Dominic.Cassidy@pdclaw.co.uk
Dominic joined PDC Law at its launch having previously had 10 years’ experience in Business Development within the sector. Dominic develops and maintains relationships with clients and key personnel. He regularly attends client meetings collecting feedback to ensure that PDC Law work with their clients to provide the best possible service.
