Clerks Details
- Clerk Name: David Fielder (Commercial/Property)
- Clerk Telephone: 020 7583 8055
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
- Clerk Name: Ed Holdstock (Costs)
- Clerk Telephone: 01962 868884
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
- Clerk Name: Abi Griffin
- Clerk Telephone: 01202 292102
- Clerk Email: [email protected]
Overview
Alexander Whatley is a commercial, chancery and property barrister. He has been recommended in Legal 500 as a ‘Tier 1 Leading Individual’ in Commercial Litigation in 2023, 2024 and 2025 and Professional Negligence in 2025 as well as a Leading Junior in Commercial Dispute Resolution in Chambers and Partners 2024 and 2025. He also takes instructions in costs disputes.
Before joining the Bar, he worked in a City advisory firm conducting investigative corporate intelligence for global merchants and hedge funds in the field of international commodity trading.
Alexander is also available for instruction through Direct Access.
Property and Estates
Alexander Whatley’s Property and Estates practice focuses on disputes between landlords and tenants and he is regularly instructed to advise on property disputes involving Breach of Covenants, Relief from Forfeiture, Construction Contracts and Service Charges.
Commercial
Alexander has a wealth of experience acting for large retailers, developers, pension trusts and public authorities, as well as commercial tenants.
- Service Charge Disputes
- High value boundary disputes including adverse possession
- Unlawful forfeiture and relief from forfeiture in high value commercial property
- Easements and Restrictive Covenants
- Opposed lease renewal under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
- Rent review
- Land registration disputes in the High Court, County Court, Property Tribunals and the Land Registry
- Rectification of documents and title
Residential
Acting for both landlords and tenants, Alexander has extensive experience across the following areas:
- Service charges in high value residential property
- Mortgage and Tenancy Possession proceedings
- Tenancy Deposit disputes
- Injunctions
- Easements and Restrictive Covenants
- Boundary disputes
- Trespass and breach of quiet enjoyment
- Proprietary Estoppel
- Adverse Possession
- Contractual disputes on lease agreements
Recent Cases
Fitzroy Place Residential Limited & Others v Lovitt & Others [2024] UKUT 63 (LC): Alexander successfully represented the Respondent Company and the appeal was dismissed. The appeal concerned the meaning of a standard form of lease used in a large and prestigious development in Central London comprising approximately 290 residential flats and commercial premises. Specifically, it related to the proportions in which the leaseholders of private apartments in the development are required to contribute towards the cost of services provided by the landlord to the development as a whole, and the extent of a discretion given to the landlord to vary those proportions.
W v S [2024] Ongoing: Alexander is representing the Respondent in a high value commercial boundary dispute with a national supermarket chain across three property jurisdictions.
C v W Limited [2024] Ongoing: Acting for the Respondent in a service charge dispute valued at over £1.2m.
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Recommendations Alexander Whatley of 3PB Barristers is a highly respected barrister with expertise in a range of commercial disputes. He is sought after for his prowess in areas including breach of trust, contractual disputes and property matters.
Strengths:
"Alexander is very user-friendly, good with clients and an easy barrister to use."
"Alexander is still relatively young but shows a good level of knowledge and insight into problems. He has proved himself a very good advocate."
Chambers 2025/Commercial Dispute Resolution /Western Bar‘Alexander goes above and beyond to make himself available to assist the clients and turn around work with extraordinary attention to detail. He shows great support and provides the clients with in-depth knowledge.
Legal 500 2025/Commercial Litigation/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit - Ranked in Tier 1'Alex is affable and articulate, and his paperwork is prompt.'
Legal 500 2025/Professional Negligence/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit“Well prepared and quick on his feet.”
“Alex has the ability to deal with all situations and can think on his feet to get a great result.”
Chambers 2024/Commercial Dispute Resolution /Western Bar‘He is a great advocate and commands a courtroom. He also gives detailed advice and considers all areas of a dispute.’
Legal 500 2024/Commercial Litigation/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit - Ranked in Tier 1'Alexander Whatley is a strong and persuasive advocate, with an excellent grasp of the facts and an ability to cut through to the heart of a matter. Exceptionally well prepared with a calm, analytical approach. He delivers clear, concise advice in a client-friendly manner.'
Legal 500 2023/Commercial Litigation/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit - Ranked in Tier 1‘Alexander has a very analytical mind. He is an extremely well prepared barrister who knows the client's case inside out. He provides his advice in an approachable and user-friendly manner.’
Legal 500 2022/Commercial Litigation/Leading Juniors/Western Circuit
Related News
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3PB Barristers’ commercial, chancery and property barrister Alexander Whatley has written for LexisNexis on the case of Expert Tooling and Automation Ltd v Engie Power Ltd [2025] a Court of Appeal decision on the scope of fiduciary duty, informed consent and dishonesty. In his article entitled 'Half the truth is often a great lie', Alexander explores what the practical implications are of this case: heightened disclosure duties for agents receiving commission, strategic pleading and how...
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3PB Barristers’ (3 Paper Buildings) specialist commercial, chancery and property barrister Alexander Whatley has written for LexisNexis on the case of R v Revenue and Customs Commissioners, which was brought to the Supreme Court to determine the correct characterisation of a contract. In his article, entitled “Amendments in retrospect – Repair or replace? (R v Revenue and Customs Commissioners)”, Alexander explores the legal distinctions between amendment, rescission and replacement, the relevant contextual considerations for the courts and...
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3PB’s commercial and property barrister Alex Whatley will be speaking at the Civil Litigation Conference on the Thursday 27th March for the Bournemouth Law Society. The conference is taking place at The Carlton Hotel in Bournemouth. To book your ticket for this event, please click here. The cost is £100 for members and £150 for non-members. Alex Whatley is recommended in both Chambers and Partners UK and Legal 500 as a top commercial litigation barrister....
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3PB's commercial and property barrister Alex Whatley has written an article called 'After the gold rush - chasing debts' (Alphier Capital LLP v Blyvoor Gold Capital Ltd)' for Lexis Nexis. In the article Alex analyses this High Court judgment concerning two cross applications for strike-out and adding a party, the primary dispute related to an unpaid debt for investment consultancy services and the assignment of the sums due. The court decided that the prohibition of...
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