Clerk Details
- Clerk Name: Mark Heath
- Clerk Telephone: 0117 928 1520
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
Property and Estates
Joshua believes that everyone should have access to robust representation and realistic, honest advice. He tries to offer all his clients straightforward and cost-effective solutions to their problems. If the only option is litigation, he aims to secure them the best outcome he can, tailored to their circumstances and their means.
Joshua is a specialist whose goal is to guide his clients through the maze of English property law while avoiding its frequently unexpected hazards. His practice includes familiar property work, such as neighbour disputes (boundaries, nuisance, rights of way), and the full range of residential and commercial landlord & tenant matters. He also accepts instructions in property law more broadly, such as applications under TOLATA 1996, mortgages, commons and agricultural tenancies. He has significant experience of social housing issues, including anti-social behaviour, homelessness and allocations.
Joshua provides advocacy and advice on litigation in the High Court and County Court, as well as the First-Tier and Upper Tribunals, and at inquiries.
Joshua is regularly instructed in real property matters and neighbour disputes, including:
- Nuisance
- Trespass
- Boundary & easement disputes
- Party Wall etc Act 1996 matters
- Mortgages
- Charges, charging orders & orders for sale
- LPA Receiver matters
- Equitable interests (eg applications under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996)
- Agricultural tenancies.
Joshua has represented clients in the Court of Appeal and before the Adjudicator to HM Land Registry, as well as the County Court, High Court, First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) and Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). He has experience of a variety of other property-related matters, from planning breach injunctions to parking enforcement.
Joshua has lectured to solicitors and not-for-profit organisations on all aspects of housing, landlord & tenant and property law. He is happy to provide in-house lectures tailored to clients’ needs. He has spoken at the annual Housing Law Conference (HLPA/Law Society) and is a member of several specialist associations for property practitioners.
Commercial Landlord and Tenant
Joshua’s practice encompasses the whole range of residential and commercial landlord & tenant advice and advocacy, including:
- Possession & forfeiture
- Tenancy renewal
- Disrepair & dilapidations
- Rent reviews
- Service charge disputes
- Anti-social behaviour
- Unlawful eviction.
Joshua has also represented clients in leasehold disputes over major works projects, and in a variety of cases relating to HMOs, civil penalties and tenancy disputes brought under the Housing Act 2004.
Joshua has particular expertise in social housing (including homelessness, allocations, human rights, and disability discrimination). He also has extensive experience of anti-social behaviour litigation, pursuing injunction applications on behalf of social landlords and defending possession claims brought against tenants accused of anti-social behaviour. He accepts publicly-funded housing work, as well as instructions from individuals and local authorities.
Recent cases
- Piechnik v Oxford City Council [2020] EWHC 960 (QB): establishing that right-to-buy leases are not impressed with the local authority landlord’s extended right of access to remedy a state of affairs which is injurious to health or presents a risk of death or injury.
- Quashing a local authority’s improvement notice issued under s.11, Housing Act 2004: FTT. (May 2018)
- 7-day hearing in the FTT representing 64 leaseholders, opposing the reasonableness of on-account service charge demands of up to £34,000 to fund a £3.5m refurbishment of 5 low-rise blocks. The Tribunal reduced the works price by approximately £400,000. (Feb 2018)
- Obtaining a final possession order against a private-sector assured shorthold tenant in 12 days from issue of an injunction application to final order, on the basis of serious anti-social behaviour, involving risk to property and people through fire (May 2015)
- Thomas-Ashley v Drum Housing Association Ltd [2010] EWCA Civ 265; (2010) 107(13) LSG 17; [2010] NPC 36: what is the extent of a social landlord’s duty to alter its letting terms under ss 24A and 24D Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Residential Landlord and Tenant and Housing
Joshua’s practice encompasses the whole range of residential and commercial landlord & tenant advice and advocacy, including:
- Possession & forfeiture
- Tenancy renewal
- Disrepair & dilapidations
- Rent reviews
- Service charge disputes
- Anti-social behaviour
- Unlawful eviction.
Joshua has also represented clients in leasehold disputes over major works projects, and in a variety of cases relating to HMOs, civil penalties and tenancy disputes brought under the Housing Act 2004.
Joshua has particular expertise in social housing (including homelessness, allocations, human rights, and disability discrimination). He also has extensive experience of anti-social behaviour litigation, pursuing injunction applications on behalf of social landlords and defending possession claims brought against tenants accused of anti-social behaviour. He accepts publicly-funded housing work, as well as instructions from individuals and local authorities.
Recent cases
- Piechnik v Oxford City Council [2020] EWHC 960 (QB): establishing that right-to-buy leases are not impressed with the local authority landlord’s extended right of access to remedy a state of affairs which is injurious to health or presents a risk of death or injury.
- Quashing a local authority’s improvement notice issued under s.11, Housing Act 2004: FTT. (May 2018)
- 7-day hearing in the FTT representing 64 leaseholders, opposing the reasonableness of on-account service charge demands of up to £34,000 to fund a £3.5m refurbishment of 5 low-rise blocks. The Tribunal reduced the works price by approximately £400,000. (Feb 2018)
- Obtaining a final possession order against a private-sector assured shorthold tenant in 12 days from issue of an injunction application to final order, on the basis of serious anti-social behaviour, involving risk to property and people through fire (May 2015)
- Thomas-Ashley v Drum Housing Association Ltd [2010] EWCA Civ 265; (2010) 107(13) LSG 17; [2010] NPC 36: what is the extent of a social landlord’s duty to alter its letting terms under ss 24A and 24D Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
Land and Boundaries
Joshua has a substantial practice in real property matters, providing pragmatic advice and advocacy, with the aim of resolving disputes in the most efficient and effective way for his clients. His expertise spans the wide field of land law, including neighbour disputes, enforcement and modification of covenants, rectification and alteration of the Register, and adverse possession. He has particular interest in:
- Nuisance
- Boundary & easement disputes
- Party Wall etc Act 1996 matters
- Agricultural tenancies.
Recent cases
- 5-day trial (County Court) vindicating clients’ allegations of malicious trespass and nuisance (including deliberate flooding) by neighbour over more than 20 years, and achieving award of aggravated damages. (April 2019)
- 5-day trial (County Court) during which Joshua helped his client prove a right of way to her field, establish her boundaries and prevent neighbours from obstructing her access. (March 2018)
- 5-day County Court trial for Claimant, obtaining injunctive relief and damages to halt deliberate interference with the Claimant’s sole vehicular access after 20 years of nuisance. Indemnity costs awarded against Defendant. (September 2017)
- 4-day County Court trial for Claimants in trespass and nuisance, when neighbours erected a fence up to 2m into clients’ land. The crucial section of disputed boundary was determined in the Claimants’ favour when they succeeded in showing that a Defendant had scrubbed out part of the existing boundary hedge. (September 2017)
- 5-day High Court trial defending a claim in misrepresentation over the sale of a house – whether the vendor had disclosed a history of flooding – including argument over method and quantum of valuation (March 2015)
- Establishing a pedestrian right of way across the frontage of neighbouring property by lost modern grant and prescription: County Court. (May 2018)
Coownership and Trusts of Land
Joshua has helped clients to establish their beneficial shares in co-owned property, to rectify or alter the Register and to establish estoppels. He also has experience of litigating equitable defences such as undue influence, and of dealing with allegations of fraud and forgery.
-
Recommendations Joshua Dubin is a property specialist with a wealth of experience in social housing matters, as well as a wide range of other residential and commercial property disputes. He has significant knowledge of neighbour and boundary issues.
Strengths: "Joshua Dubin is highly impressive in all facets. He is determined and knowledgeable both in terms of the legal process and commercial awareness." "Joshua is an excellent barrister. He is tenacious in finding a solution for the client and meticulous with the details of the case." "Joshua always gives good and accessible advice and explains difficult concepts well."
Chambers UK 2025/Real Estate Litigation/South Eastern Bar
Strengths: “He is excellent to deal with as he always involves the clients to ensure they understand the process and the arguments being raised.”
“He has the ability to focus on the bigger picture in cases, is approachable and clear in his advice.”
“He is always on hand to offer tactics and is happy to discuss the case.”
“His advice is comprehensive and covers every detail.”Chambers UK 2024/Real Estate Litigation/South Eastern Bar
Strengths: “He is a very safe pair of hands, and he has good judgement. He can hold his own against silks.”
Chambers UK 2023/Real Estate Litigation/South Eastern Bar
Strengths: "Joshua knows the law inside out and brings his housing experience to the fore in cases." "He is efficient and clients love him."
Recent work: Acted for the residents of a five-block estate in an Upper Tribunal case which considered various issues relating to consultation requirements for the landlord's service charge demands for the replacement of balcony asphalt.Chambers UK 2022/Real Estate Litigation/South Eastern Bar
Strengths: "Completely on top of the law and facts." "Joshua is very commercial and he has the client’s interests foremost."
Recent work: Acted in a long-running neighbour dispute, involving issues of trespassing, nuisance and negligence. Dubin's clients were awarded prohibitory injunctions, damages and costs.Chambers UK 2021/Real Estate Litigation/South Eastern Bar
Joshua Dubin – 3PB ‘Joshua listens to the client's needs and delivers advice clearly and pragmatically. His advocacy is excellent, clear and thorough.’
Legal 500 2025/Property and construction/Leading Junior/Southern Eastern Circuit
'Joshua has excellent communication skills and ensures the solicitor is involved in the process.'
Legal 500 2024/Property and Construction/ South Eastern Circuit/ Leading Junior
Veteran social housing practitioner Joshua Dubin has extensive experience acting for tenants, occupiers, and local authorities.
‘Joshua has an enviable knowledge of law and procedure. He has particular strengths in navigating vast amounts of information and distilling clear, robust and practical advice. He is a strong advocate, meticulous and systematic in cross-examination, and formidable in trials.’
Legal 500 2023/Property and Construction/Leading Juniors/South Eastern Circuit
‘An intellectually sharp, calm under pressure, and dependable barrister.’
Legal 500 2022/Property and Construction/Leading Juniors/South Eastern Circuit
‘A good lawyer: an effective advocate and cross-examiner who is hardworking too.’
Legal 500 2021
‘Tenacious and persistent.’
Legal 500 2020
"His advice is precise and succinct.'
Legal 500 2019
"Your professionalism, thoroughness, tactics and overall performance during the hearing were top notch and I will not be convinced otherwise than that you were the major factor in our being successful in the dismissal of the claim against us."
Direct Access client
Expand recommendations
Related Articles
-
3PB’s national Property and Estates team has been rewarded in Chambers and Partners’ latest set of results with 11 rankings spanning its Real Estate Litigation, Chancery, Construction, Planning and Social Housing expertise. While our barristers attract praise for their knowledge, commercial awareness, advocacy and client skills, our real estate litigators earn a team ranking in Band 2 in South Eastern. Headed by Chambers Director Mark Heath, the clerks are complimented for being 'very responsive and...
Continue reading -
3PB is delighted to announce a total of 15 rankings for its property, estates and chancery specialists in the Legal 500 2025 edition. The team retains its Tier 2 ranking for Property and Construction in South Eastern; and its Tier 3 ranking for Property and Construction in Western. New rankings have been gained for social housing; agricultural property work; and property and construction work. The team is acknowledged as "‘an excellent set’ with ‘a number of excellent...
Continue reading -
3PB is delighted to announce excellent rankings for its Property and Estates team across both Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners directories. The team achieved a total of 22 individual rankings across four of our core circuits (Western, South Eastern, Midlands and London), as well as the team celebrating Tier 2 rankings for Property and Construction in South Eastern; Tier 2 rankings for Chancery, Tax and Probate in the Midlands and a Tier 3 ranking...
Continue reading -
3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) has been awarded a record number of rankings in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners with a total of 73 accolades for its barristers. The national heavyweight chambers achieves its rankings in London, South Eastern, Western and the Midlands - in 18 categories of law. Earlier this year, 3PB also celebrated its first ranking in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth guide. Click here to view the full results...
Continue reading
