Dilapidations in commercial leases- claims, defences and dispute strategy

Dilapidations claims remain a key risk area in commercial property, often giving rise to significant financial exposure and dispute at lease end. This is a focused, disputes-led dilapidations webinar—bridging transactional knowledge and litigation strategy—designed to help practitioners navigate both the legal framework and the practical realities of bringing and defending claims.

The webinar covers how claims are assessed, challenged and resolved in practice, including the impact of key statutory provisions such as Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 and the role of valuation and expert evidence in achieving commercial outcomes.

Topics covered include:

• The legal framework
  What constitutes dilapidations and key lease obligations
• When claims arise
  Lease expiry vs during the term
• Bringing a claim
  Schedules of dilapidations, quantifying loss and expert evidence
• Section 18 in practice
  The diminution in value cap and its strategic use
• The Pre-Action Protocol
  Key steps, timing and settlement expectations
• Defending a claim
  Compliance, scope challenges and redevelopment arguments
• Dispute strategy
  Negotiation, ADR and managing risk
• Key case law
  Including Cunliffe v Goodman and Sunlife Europe Properties Ltd v Tiger Aspect Holdings Ltd
• Practical takeaways
  Reducing exposure and achieving commercial outcomes