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

1180

A party to family proceedings has emailed/showed letters containing legal advice to family members who
A party to family proceedings has emailed/showed letters containing legal advice to family members who
Q&A

This Q&A considers the consequences of sharing correspondence containing legal advice with family members who are not parties to the proceedings in the context of legal professional privilege.

A party to financial proceedings is a director and shareholder of a private limited company, and the
A party to financial proceedings is a director and shareholder of a private limited company, and the
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether the accounts of a private limited company can be taken into consideration in financial proceedings.

A party to financial remedy proceedings is the beneficiary of several trusts. Orders have been made
A party to financial remedy proceedings is the beneficiary of several trusts. Orders have been made
Q&A

This Q&A considers financial remedy proceedings and what options may be available in relation to obtaining information regarding a related trust, where one party to the proceedings is a beneficiary of several trusts.

A periodic assured shorthold tenancy was entered into in 2012. A section 21 notice was served in July
A periodic assured shorthold tenancy was entered into in 2012. A section 21 notice was served in July
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether a prescribed form of a section 21 notice is necessary to determine a periodic assured shorthold tenancy entered into in 2012.

A Pre-action Inheritance Act claim is being settled by means of a deed of variation, but the
A Pre-action Inheritance Act claim is being settled by means of a deed of variation, but the
Q&A

This Q&A considers payment of claimant’s costs by a beneficiary and how this should be recorded.

A property abutting a roadway was conveyed within a rule 72 transfer in 1975. Is there any current case
A property abutting a roadway was conveyed within a rule 72 transfer in 1975. Is there any current case
Q&A

This Q&A considers case law regarding inclusion of a roadway within title to property pursuant to LPA 1925, s 62.

A property adjustment order has been made in relation to a property purchased under the ‘right to buy’
A property adjustment order has been made in relation to a property purchased under the ‘right to buy’
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether a property adjustment order in relation to a property purchased under the right to buy scheme would create an exempted disposal in accordance with the Housing Act 1985 and whether the discount under the scheme would still be repayable.

A property is held as tenants in common. The first owner has died and the second lacks capacity. There is
A property is held as tenants in common. The first owner has died and the second lacks capacity. There is
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether a trustee can be added to the title of property held as tenants in common via an EPA and whether the trustees need further powers or leave of the court in order to sell the property.

A property is held by A, B and C as tenants in common and a Form A restriction is registered on the
A property is held by A, B and C as tenants in common and a Form A restriction is registered on the
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether a property can be sold which has been held by A, B and C as tenants in common and A has passed away.

A property is jointly owned and there is a declaration of trust setting out how the property is owned.
A property is jointly owned and there is a declaration of trust setting out how the property is owned.
Q&A

This Q&A looks at the procedure under the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 in relation to claims under the Trusts of land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.

A property is let to a tenant under an AST. The AST names 2 landlords, a husband and wife. The wife
A property is let to a tenant under an AST. The AST names 2 landlords, a husband and wife. The wife
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether a landlord of a property let on an AST can bring a claim for possession in their own name following the death of a co-owner.

A property is owned by three siblings who hold the legal title. The property is trust property and the
A property is owned by three siblings who hold the legal title. The property is trust property and the
Q&A

A property is owned by three siblings who hold the legal title. The property is trust property and the siblings are also trustees of the trust. The Q&A considers whether it is legally required to include details of the trust in a section 48 LTA notice or a new tenancy agreement or the section 48 LTA notice and/or new tenancy agreement can simply use the siblings' names as landlords as per the title documents.

A property lacks formal planning permission for its current use. The buyer’s solicitor requested a
A property lacks formal planning permission for its current use. The buyer’s solicitor requested a
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether a statement of truth has legal effect where a seller’s solicitor has provided a statement of truth instead of a statutory declaration.

A property was held by a couple as legal and beneficial joint tenants. The parties separated and the
A property was held by a couple as legal and beneficial joint tenants. The parties separated and the
Q&A

This Q&A considers holding a property as beneficial joint tenants, the TOLATA framework, and disputes as to the proceeds of the sale of the property.

A property was purchased from a bank. The fittings and contents form stated 'sold as seen'. Can the
A property was purchased from a bank. The fittings and contents form stated 'sold as seen'. Can the
Q&A

This Q&A considers the liability of a mortgagee in relation to goods and chattels left behind at a mortgaged property by a mortgagor following repossession.

A property, a specific legacy, has been sold on the instructions of the legatee at a significant gain.
A property, a specific legacy, has been sold on the instructions of the legatee at a significant gain.
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether the executors of a Will would be responsible for the accounting to HMRC for the capital gains tax gain of a property that has been sold on the instructions of the legatee and whether the tax due would be payable from the estate or the specific legatee.

A public foul sewer running across an extension built in 1999. Planning permission and a building
A public foul sewer running across an extension built in 1999. Planning permission and a building
Q&A

This Q&A considers whether a build over agreement is needed for a public foul sewer running across an extension built in 1999.

A public path (owned by a Welsh Council) is becoming obstructed as a result of heavy rain on the private
A public path (owned by a Welsh Council) is becoming obstructed as a result of heavy rain on the private
Q&A

This Q&A looks at whether and how a highways authority can take action against the owner of private land abutting a public path where a landslip from the private land is obstructing the public path.

A register of title includes the following note—‘The land was formerly Copyhold of the...and on the
A register of title includes the following note—‘The land was formerly Copyhold of the...and on the
Q&A

This Q&A considers the Copyhold Act 1852 and whether these rights no longer apply in a register of title and if have they been extinguished.

A registered provider of social housing let a residential property on an affordable rent five-year fixed
A registered provider of social housing let a residential property on an affordable rent five-year fixed
Q&A

This Q&A considers how a landlord can regain possession if the tenant dies halfway through a fixed term AST.

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.