Hugh Rowan
Call: 2021
Call: 2021
Hugh Rowan specialises in property law, and is regularly instructed in property-related disputes arising within a commercial chancery context.
Hugh has a particular focus on real property, enfranchisement, and residential and commercial landlord and tenant law, as well as commercial and company disputes. He appears both as part of a team and as sole counsel in the High Court, the County Court, and the First-tier Tribunal.
Hugh is regularly involved in high-profile cases. In 2025 and 2026 alone he appeared on five separate occasions in the Court of Appeal in key cases relating to damages recoverable for disrepair, the extent of Building Safety Act 2022, the construction of a shareholders’ agreement, and the court’s jurisdiction in bankruptcy proceedings.
A popular and busy junior, clients appreciate his ability to work as a team and handle complex legal and factual issues. Hugh is Direct Access qualified, and happy to accept instructions on a Direct Access basis in suitable circumstances.
Hugh is a co-author of five property law specialist books relating to service charges, the right to manage, enfranchisement, and two books on the Building Safety Act 2022, one of which Hugh edits. A regular contributor to the Landlord & Tenant Review, Hugh often writes the Case Digest for these publications as well as topical articles and case commentaries.
During his legal training, Hugh volunteered as a caseworker at the Free Representation Unit and with Blackfriars Settlement Advice Clinic.
Hugh regularly advises and appears in disputes involving easements, freehold and leasehold restrictive covenants, boundary disputes, adverse possession claims, and land registration matters. Hugh also advises on disputes relating orders for sale under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
Hugh is instructed to appear as sole counsel in both the Land Registration division of the First-tier Tribunal and in the County Court. Hugh has also acted for clients in a number of on-site mediations concerning boundaries, easements, and party walls under the Party Wall Etc. Act 1996.
Hugh has acted in a wide range of disputes, including possession proceedings, service charge disputes, appointments of a manager, RTM cases, enfranchisement, rent repayment orders, disrepair, breach of covenant, and tenancy deposit claims. He regularly advises how these, and similar matters affect potential land developments.
As part of Hugh’s portfolio of pro bono work, he was instructed by Advocate in Tabassam v Manchester CC [2026] EWCA Civ 361, in which he acted for the successful Respondent in the appeal of an improvement notice under the Housing Act 2004.
Hugh is a contributor to Service Charges and Management, 7th Ed. (Sweet & Maxwell, due in 2026).
Hugh’s other work in this area includes a long running First Tier Tribunal appointment of a manager dispute relating to a multi-million-pound development in East London and is currently instructed on a six-figure High Court disrepair claim arising from the illegal conversion of a property into a cannabis farm. Hugh was instructed as junior counsel in the Upper Tribunal Appeal of English Rose Estates Ltd v Menon & Ors. [2022] UKUT 347 (LC), and was similarly instructed in a recent Court of Appeal case involving forfeiture which eventually settled.
Hugh regularly appears in both the Residential Property and Land Registration divisions of the First-tier Tribunal. His recent published successful trials – covering areas such as challenges to the reasonableness and payability of service charges; terms of enfranchisement; determinations of breach of lease; and, the appointment of a manager – include:
Hugh is often instructed to advise or appear in County Court and High Court forfeiture proceedings, service charge disputes, lease renewals under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, dilapidations, breach of covenant matters, and commercial property development disputes.
Hugh recently appeared unled and was successful in a commercial forfeiture appeal in the case of Maduforo v Adil Property Investment (unreported, 22 July 2024). Hugh successfully overturned the decision of the lower Court that there had been an effective tender of rent such as to disentitle the landlord to forfeit the premises.
Hugh also succeeded in recovering a seven-figure sum of arrears for a commercial landlord in West London, and has developed a particular speciality in advising on mixed-use developments. Other recent cases include a dispute over the terms of a rent variation agreement in a North London development, and the role of restrictive covenants in the development of a shopping centre.
Hugh regularly advises and assists in claims concerning terminal dilapidations, injunctions relating to user clauses, and 1954 Act disputes.
Hugh has been instructed in a range of commercial disputes, including breach of contract, construction, rectification, rescission, mistake, and misrepresentation arising out of the Partnership Act 1890, Insolvency Act 1986, Companies Act 2006, including breach of directors’ duties and unfair prejudice petitions. Hugh is often asked to provide discrete opinions in these matters and has also conducted a number of successful trials in these areas.
Hugh is often instructed to act in associated insolvency disputes, obtaining interim orders, advising in relation to the appointment of administrators, and has recently been instructed in a High Court dispute concerning an alleged transaction at an undervalue.
Hugh works for a range of clients – from high street firms to multinational corporations.
Hugh is equally comfortable appearing unled and recently acted:
Hugh has acted in a range of matters including receivership disputes, consumer protection legislation, and undue influence. He regularly appears in the County Court in possession matters acting for both the mortgagee and mortgagor. Hugh is comfortable advising in a range of mortgage related matters including the validity of charges, and Consumer Credit Act matters.
Hugh was recently instructed a part of a long-running receivership dispute in the High Court, and successfully extended an injunction preventing the Receivers from completing a contract for sale in exceptional circumstances.
Having gained detailed experience in this area under the supervision of enfranchisement expert, Piers Harrison, Hugh is comfortable being instructed as a junior or sole counsel in this area and has previously been instructed in proceedings involving the validity of notices and valuation claims.
Hugh is a co-author of both Right to Manage: Law and Practice (Wildy, Simmonds & Hill, due in 2026); and, Tanfield on Enfranchisement (Lexis Nexis, due in 2026).
Hugh is happy to advise on a range of topics in this area, from the applicability of the relevant Acts to the assignment of the benefit of notices. Hugh regularly appears in the County Court in particular in disputes under Chapter I and II of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993, Part I of the Leasehold Reform Act 1967; and, Part I of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.
Hugh has developed a particular niche in advising on issues arising out of the Building Safety 2022 Act. Hugh regularly advises on all matters relating to the Building Safety Act 2022, including qualification criteria, (principal) accountable persons, and remediation (contribution) orders.
He has appeared in the Court of Appeal (acting Pro Bono) in Adriatic Land 5 Ltd v Long Leaseholders at Hippersley Point [2025] EWCA Civ 856; [2025] H.L.R. 43 earlier this year, led by Mark Loveday. Hugh was also led by Andrew Butler KC in Wilson v HB (SWA) Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 1360 | [2025] 4 W.L.R. 114, a key case concerning what damages can be recovered in relation to defects in a residential development.
Hugh is the editor and a co-author of the second edition of Building Safety Act 2022; A Guide for Property Lawyers (Wildy & Sons, 2026) having previously contributed to the first edition. Hugh has given a number of lectures on topics and issues arising out of the 2022 Act and is also a contributor to Dovar and Sawtell on the Building Safety Act (Sweet & Maxwell, 2025).
Hugh has been instructed to advise on a number of discrete issues in this area including in relation to the powers of executors and administrators. Hugh has repeatedly advised disputes concerning the Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975.
Hugh was instructed as sole counsel in a three-day County Court trial in front of HHJ Johns KC concerning allegations of fraud concerning the deceased’s estate (Maduforo v Adil Property Investment (unreported, 22 July 2024). Hugh successfully represented the executors in defending allegations of misrepresentation, deceit, and unjust enrichment.
Hugh regularly advises on matters connected with the administration of estates in particular where there is a property aspect to the dispute.
Hugh regularly advises on a wide range of insolvency disputes, such as Company Voluntary Arrangements, Receiverships, and Bankruptcy petitions.
Hugh specialises in the intersection between insolvency and other matters, such as property, probate, and commercial contracts. As a result of this, Hugh was instructed as junior counsel in the case of Mobile Telecommunications Company KSPC v HRH Prince Hussam Bin Saud Bin Abdulaziz al Saud [2025] EWHC 85 (Ch), led by Geraint Jones KC, Peter Arden KC and Marc Glover, in successfully resisting a bankruptcy petition presented against Prince Hussam on grounds that the Court had no jurisdiction as the Petitioner could not establish ‘residency’ in jurisdiction in the relevant period.
The case was subject to an expedited appeal, giving Hugh and his leaders only four clear days to prepare as Respondents. Nevertheless, the Court of Appeal sided with the Respondents on all points and permission to appeal was refused ([2025] EWCA Civ 681).
Hugh is happy to accept instructions in any matters of professional negligence related to property or commercial disputes and often advises on professional negligence in the context of failed property transactions.
Hugh is happy to advise on both quantum and liability in relation to such disputes and often acts for insurers in that regard. For example, Hugh recently advised on a seven-figure claim relating to a failed enfranchisement.
Serle Court is delighted to announce that Giselle McGowan has been promoted to the London ‘A’ […]
Our congratulations to Hugh on this great achievement!
Serle Court is delighted to announce that Hugh Rowan has been shortlisted for ‘Barrister of the Year – Junior Counsel’ at the Apartment Adviser Awards 2026.
Serle Court is delighted to welcome Hugh Rowan to Chambers. Hugh Rowan was called to the […]
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Books
Journals
A regular contributor to the Landlord & Tenant Review, Hugh often writes the Case Digest for these publications as well as topical articles and case commentaries. Recent articles include:
Hugh Jonathan Ranulph Rowan
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UK Bar 2026
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SHORTLISTED:
UK Bar Awards 2025 - Chancery Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED:
Bar Awards 2025 - Chancery Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED:
Chambers of the Year Award 2025
WINNER:
Bar Awards 2024 - Chancery Set of the Year
WINNER:
Middle East Awards 2024 - Middle East-Wide Dispute Resolution: Leading UK Barristers' Set
SHORTLISTED:
Bar Awards 2024 - Intellectual Property Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED:
Bar Awards 2024 - Commercial Litigation Set of the Year
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