Leading law firm Clifton Ingram is delighted to announce the appointment of Sam Fellows as a Partner within its Dispute Resolution team, effective May 5th. Sam joins the firm with a well-developed specialism in leasehold enfranchisement and statutory lease extensions, bringing highly sought-after expertise to Clifton Ingram at a time when demand for specialist leasehold advice is rising across the country.

Clifton Ingram is a well-established, full-service law firm ranked in the Legal 500, with offices in Farnham, Reading and Wokingham. The firm advises businesses and private clients across Surrey, Berkshire and beyond, and has built a strong reputation for the quality and depth of its property and dispute resolution practices.

Sam’s appointment at the Farnham office comes at a significant moment for leasehold law. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 has introduced potentially wide-ranging changes affecting leaseholders, landlords, and managing agents, and the ongoing implementation of further reform measures continues to create complexity for property owners, leaseholders and businesses alike.

Against this backdrop, Sam’s expertise in leasehold enfranchisement, statutory lease extensions under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, and rights of first refusal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 represents a timely addition to the firm.

Jonathan Foulds, Managing Partner and Head of Commercial Property at Clifton Ingram, said,

“Sam’s specialist knowledge in leasehold matters is a genuinely valuable addition to the team. The legal landscape for leaseholders and landlords has grown considerably more complex in recent years, and his appointment strengthens our ability to meet the rising demand for expert advice in this area across the region.”

Alongside his leasehold specialism, Sam brings more than ten years of broader property litigation experience to the role, covering restrictive covenants, break options, boundary disputes, adverse possession, trespass, and rights of way among others. He has managed substantial litigation from initial instruction through to trial throughout his career, and has built strong internal and external referral networks and self-sufficient work pipelines at each firm he has joined.

Sam trained at Maples Teesdale LLP in the City of London before developing his litigation practice at Iliffes Booth Bennett LLP in Uxbridge, where he spent six years handling high-value County and High Court proceedings.

He has since held senior roles at Field Seymour Parkes LLP in Reading and Knights in Weybridge, where he was promoted to Senior Associate in 2023 and built and ran a caseload of residential and commercial property work.

Sam commented,

“Leasehold law is going through a period of significant change, and that is creating real complexity for property owners, leaseholders and businesses who need clear, practical advice. I am looking forward to bringing my experience in this area to Clifton Ingram and working with clients across the region to help them understand their rights and options as the legal landscape continues to evolve.”

Clifton Ingram’s property litigation team operates from offices in Farnham, Reading and Wokingham. To find out more, contact the firm here.