David Burns is a Partner at Ronald Fletcher Baker, based in the firm’s West End office on Baker Street, London. Recognised as a Leading Individual by The Legal 500, David is described as “a charming yet aggressive litigator” with “great technical knowledge, worn lightly, expertly guiding clients through complex and high-risk matters.”
David specialises in property and commercial litigation, with extensive experience across the High Court, County Court, and Property Tribunals. He acts at trial and at interim stages, including urgent applications. David is particularly experienced in high-value financial disputes and bridging finance litigation — a fast-paced, increasingly contentious sector. He advises lenders across the full life cycle of bridging loans, from due diligence and transaction support to enforcement and recovery.
David is also a trusted adviser on landlord and tenant matters, regularly assisting with lease renewals, forfeiture actions, rent recovery, break notices, and dilapidations claims. His expertise extends to real property disputes involving rights of way, restrictive covenants, adverse possession, and ownership issues.
David heads Ronald Fletcher Baker’s contentious leasehold enfranchisement department and is described by The Legal 500 as “a go-to for advice on enfranchisement and residential lease extensions.” He frequently advises developers and portfolio owners on achieving vacant possession for redevelopment projects and has a detailed understanding of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, including strategic advice on tenants’ rights of first refusal.
Beyond property disputes, David acts in a broad range of commercial litigation, including shareholder and partnership disputes, contractual claims, and proceedings against financial institutions concerning the closure or restriction of bank accounts.
David is a member of the Property Litigation Association, the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners, and the London Irish Lawyers Association.
Outside of work, David is a fitness enthusiast and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 2022, he was crowned Nogi British Open Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Champion.
Experience:
- Fairacres Developments Ltd and another v Mr. Douglas Drake – acted on behalf of the Claimants in securing a final injunction to prohibit the Defendant from trespassing on the Claimants’ land, together with damages and costs.
- Hirani & Another v Samier & others – Acted on behalf of a business owner in relation to a 3-day trial in the Central London County Court which dealt with prescriptive easements, adverse possession, nuisance, and trespass.
- DMRR Investments Limited v (1) Her Majesty’s Attorney General and others (Claim No CR-2021- 002267) – Successfully secured a vesting order under s.1017 of the Companies Act 2006 that a head lease is vested in the Claimant free from the Defendant’s interests.
- Acted on behalf of a large property portfolio owner in successfully securing vacant possession of the commercial property in London so that the client can commence a large-scale mixed-use development comprised of multiple commercial units and 80 residential units with a GDV of approximately £50 million.
- Acted for a hotel developer in relation to advising on boundary issues for a hotel development valued at £50 million.
- Acted on behalf of an established restaurateur in South West London in relation to a multi-million-pound rent arrears claim.
- Acted for borrowers in several bridging loan disputes valued between £10 and £35m.
- Successfully acted on behalf of PCF Bank in respect of a delivery up order for over £1 million worth of assets.
- Acted in a multi-jurisdiction case regarding an alleged outstanding debt of circa $25,000,000USD involving freezing injunctions.
- Acted on behalf of a large number of Claimants in a group action against a high street bank involving complex claims of discrimination and breach of Council Regulation (EC) No 2271/96.
- Acted on behalf of a leading international broadcast studio in relation to a multimillion-pound dispute arising out of several loan agreements and guarantees.
- Successfully represented a client in recovering over £600,000 which had been the subject of restraint orders and cash seizures by the HMRC.
- Successfully acted on behalf of a high net worth individual in relation to a multi-million pound High Court dispute regarding the shareholding in several companies in the entertainment and leisure industry.
- Successfully represented a client in recovering over £600,000 which had been the subject of restraint orders and cash seizures by the HMRC.
- Successfully secured an injunction on behalf of a property development company to prevent the disposition of funds in breach of a joint venture agreement.
- Acted on behalf of a group of more than 60 leaseholders in exercising their right of first refusal, with a liquidator having been appointed to deal with the previous freeholder’s assets.
- Acted on behalf of both landlords and tenants in respect of hundreds of statutory residential lease extensions including cases where the premium has been in excess of £1million.
- Acted on behalf of both landlords and tenants in respect of enfranchisement claims relating to blocks of flats and houses in Prime Central London and regionally.
- Successfully acted for numerous clients in relation to claims for vesting orders where the landlord is absent or dissolved.
- Advised and acted on behalf of clients in the First Tier, Upper Tribunal, and County Court in relation to enfranchisement, lease extension claims, and claims to appoint a manager under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987
David has a unique combination of experiences. In addition to his extensive property and commercial litigation experience, David has higher rights of audience and has appeared as an advocate and successfully secured acquittals in several jury trials in the Crown Court.
David Burns
Senior Litigation Partner
