Chris Bryden#617

Chris Bryden

Chris was called to the Bar in 2003 and since that time has built a busy practice across a range of areas, with an emphasis on Chancery practice. He enjoys a well-deserved reputation for his knowledge and expertise in each area. He appears regularly in the County Court, Family Court and the High Court as well as various specialist Tribunals, and has been involved in cases up to and including the Supreme Court. He regularly is instructed at Appellate level. He has extensive and wide-ranging experience particularly in the areas of wills, probate and inheritance disputes; property including adverse possession, boundary disputes and issues arising out of trusts of land; company and commercial work and financial remedies. Chris is head of the Family Group and head of the Property Team at 4KBW.

Chris is the author of numerous articles in publications such as the New Law Journal, Counsel and Family Law, amongst many other titles, and is the co-author of Social Media in the Workplace: A Handbook (2015, Jordan Publishing).
Contributed to

1211

Is it possible to have an underlying declaration of trust for a joint tenancy of a property which alters
Is it possible to have an underlying declaration of trust for a joint tenancy of a property which alters
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether it is it possible to have an underlying declaration of trust for a joint tenancy of a property which alters the division of ownership between the joint owners from the usual 50:50 share.

Is it possible to rely on two facts under section 1(2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (adultery and
Is it possible to rely on two facts under section 1(2) of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 (adultery and
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether it is possible to rely on two facts under MCA 1973, s 1(2) (adultery and unreasonable behaviour) to prove the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

Is it possible to vary a Mesher order by consent where the non-occupying party has agreed to an extension
Is it possible to vary a Mesher order by consent where the non-occupying party has agreed to an extension
Q&A

This Q&A considers financial remedy proceedings and in particular whether Mesher orders can be varied by consent.

Is it still possible to reserve a right to hunt over land following the Hunting Act 2004 (which limits
Is it still possible to reserve a right to hunt over land following the Hunting Act 2004 (which limits
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether it is possible to reserve a right to hunt over land following the Hunting Act 2004 and how best this right can be reserved.

Is section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 approval needed if the relevant land identified for housing is
Is section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 approval needed if the relevant land identified for housing is
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether bare land within a housing estate requires consent pursuant to HA 1985, s 19(2) before appropriation.

Is the appointment of a guardian in a Will effective where the child has a parent who has parental
Is the appointment of a guardian in a Will effective where the child has a parent who has parental
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether the appointment of a guardian in a Will is effective where the child has a parent who has parental responsibility for them?

Is the new landlord or a property subject to commercial leases liable to pay back overpayment of service
Is the new landlord or a property subject to commercial leases liable to pay back overpayment of service
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether the new landlord or a property subject to commercial leases liable to pay back overpayment of service charges to the tenants where the previous landlord overcharged during its period of ownership.

Is the permission of the court required for evidence from financial proceedings to be utilised in
Is the permission of the court required for evidence from financial proceedings to be utilised in
Q&A

This Q&A covers financial proceedings utilisation in children proceedings.

Is the procedure for statutory redemption of a rentcharge definitive against all potential beneficiaries?
Is the procedure for statutory redemption of a rentcharge definitive against all potential beneficiaries?
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether the procedure for statutory redemption of a rentcharge is definitive against all potential beneficiaries.

Is the requirement to provide a tenant with the ‘How to Rent Guide’ met if the tenant has been emailed a
Is the requirement to provide a tenant with the ‘How to Rent Guide’ met if the tenant has been emailed a
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether it is sufficient: (a) to email a link to the 'How to rent: the checklist for renting in England' guide to a tenant, and (b) for an engineer to leave a copy of the gas safety certificate at the property when the tenant is present.

Is the seller’s solicitor in a residential conveyancing transaction under an obligation to certify to the
Is the seller’s solicitor in a residential conveyancing transaction under an obligation to certify to the
Q&A

This Q&A considers various case law in relation to the solicitors’ duties and obligations in a residential conveyancing transaction.

Is the term parental alienation defined in case law and what are the key cases regarding parental
Is the term parental alienation defined in case law and what are the key cases regarding parental
Q&A

This Q&A considers the definition of ‘parental alienation’ and looks at key cases.

Is there a deadline for an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) once a notice in
Is there a deadline for an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) once a notice in
Q&A

This Q&A considers time limits for applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) once a notice in reply has been served under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967, with comparison to the timetable contained in the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.

Is there a limitation period that applies for enforcing a breach of covenant. If so, what is the period?
Is there a limitation period that applies for enforcing a breach of covenant. If so, what is the period?
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether there is a limitation period that applies for enforcing a breach of covenant.

Is there a maximum time limit pursuant to which a local authority can themselves undertake works in
Is there a maximum time limit pursuant to which a local authority can themselves undertake works in
Q&A

This Q&A considers the time limits associated with section 154 of the Highways Act 1980.

Is there a minimum number of trustees needed for a trust of land? Section 27 of the Law of Property Act
Is there a minimum number of trustees needed for a trust of land? Section 27 of the Law of Property Act
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether there is a minimum number of trustees needed for a trust of land.

Is there a requirement to give a tenant a copy of the landlord's House in Multiple Occupation licence?
Is there a requirement to give a tenant a copy of the landlord's House in Multiple Occupation licence?
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether there is a requirement to give a tenant a copy of the landlord's HMO licence.

Is there a right of appeal to a section 143 notice under the Highways Act 1980?
Is there a right of appeal to a section 143 notice under the Highways Act 1980?
Q&A

This Q&A considers the mechanism i available to challenge a decision made under section 143 of the Highway Act 1980.

Is there a rule in the Civil Procedure Rules or elsewhere that states that a litigant in person should
Is there a rule in the Civil Procedure Rules or elsewhere that states that a litigant in person should
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether there is a rule in the CPR or elsewhere that states that a litigant in person should not contact their legally represented opponent directly.

Practice Areas

Panels

  • Contributing Author
  • Q&A Panel

Qualified Year

  • 2003

Experience

  • 2 Gray’s Inn Square (2005 - 2009)

Membership

  • Family Law Bar Association
  • Property Bar Association
  • Society of Construction Lawyers
  • Public Access Bar Association (Vice-Chairman and Treasurer)
  • Visiting Fellow, University of Bedfordshire (2011 - )
  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts

Qualifications

  • MA (Oxon) (2002)
  • LLM (2004)

Education

  • Magdalen College, University of Oxford (1999-2002)
  • BPP Law School (2002-2003)
  • University College London (2003-2004)

If you expected to see yourself on this page, click here.