Elaine Dobson

Head of our UK Residential Property team, Elaine is recognised as one of the UK's leading lawyers for high-value residential work. Elaine's clients describe her as a sophisticated and commercial advisor with a commanding knowledge of private wealth law, excellent client rapport and first-class contacts.

Elaine advises clients on all aspects of residential property including purchase and sale, refinancing, restructuring, tenancies and landlord and tenant matters. Elaine works with an international client base of wealthy individuals and families, banks, private rented sector (PRS), investors and developers. She also has expertise in statutory lease extensions and freehold claims, both for individuals and groups. Elaine is highly regarded for her work on enfranchisement and has advised many private individuals and investors on how to best utilise various statutes to protect and enhance asset value.

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Career

Since 2014	Partner, Taylor Wessing
2007 - 2014	Partner, Bircham Dyson Bell LLP

Education

1999

Admitted as a lawyer, England & Wales

Expertise

Services and Groups Real estate & construction Private client

Sectors Private wealth Real estate Living

Experience

Investors into Flatfair as it raises USD11m to expand its deposit-free renting platform	Investors into Flatfair, a London-based fintech that lets landlords offer “deposit-free” renting to tenants, as it raises USD11m in order to expand its platform.
R&F Properties on high profile development sites in London	Advising on real estate matters, site set up and disposals, construction, finance, planning, infrastructure, highways, and CIL matters across four major development sites. Work is ongoing on this impressive portfolio of developments. The total number of residential units is over 4,000, in addition to retail, office, hotel and leisure floor space uses.
Acquisition and proposed redevelopment of St John's Wood Barracks	A high net worth overseas investor on the acquisition and proposed redevelopment of the St John's Wood Barracks site.

Purchase of a single building in St Johns Wood for total of GBP10m

A res non dom HNWI with a family office on the purchase of 8 flats in one building in St Johns Wood for total GBP10m following which the freehold claim under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993. Following completion we were tasked with a full redevelopment project including financing and tax planning for the creation of 10 individual properties for sale.

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Awards

Chambers and Partners HNW 2022	Elaine Dobson is "very well established and very senior. She has a high level of skill alongside being responsive and efficient," says a source. Dobson has a solid reputation and is experienced in advising on complex residential property transactions. An interviewee says: "She is prompt and responsive, rolls up her sleeves and works till late when needed."
Legal 500 UK 2023	Residential property - Ranked: "Without a doubt, Elaine and her team are in my opinion the best real estate practice in London. My largest clients are put to this firm on the basis that it’s a one stop shop of excellence. Quite frankly, the clout this firm has with finding the impossible and creating the impossible, I just cannot do my job without it!" "Elaine Dobson is by far the best conveyancing lawyer in London. Did you also know that Elaine used to be a surveyor so has an in-depth knowledge about real estate."
Legal 500 UK 2022	Residential property
Chambers High Net Worth UK 2020	Leading individual – Real Estate: High Value Residential (band 2): Elaine Dobson is well regarded for handling high-value property transactions for affluent clients. "She has a good name for high-value residential," says a peer, who adds: "She is good to work with and definitely a name for new development work." One buying agent remarks: "She is sharp, efficient and a commercial operator. She gives excellent and balanced advice." Another estate agent comments: "She is very responsive and quick off the mark with emails no matter what time of day."
Spear's 500 2020	Top Property Adviser
Chambers High Net Worth UK 2019	Leading individual - Real Estate: High Value Residential (Band 2)