Shams Rahman
Shams Rahman is a Partner in the Property Disputes department and advises both commercial and residential clients on the full spectrum of property-related disputes.
He works closely with developers, investors, landlords and tenants on matters including contested lease renewals, restrictive covenants, dilapidations, title issues, possession proceedings and high-value development land disputes. Known for his tactical expertise and commercially focused advice, Shams helps clients anticipate and resolve disputes at an early stage wherever possible, while also being a formidable advocate in litigation, mediation and appeals when required.
Alongside his property practice, Shams is a recognised leader in international trusts disputes, with over 25 years’ experience acting for trust companies, family offices, ultra-high-net-worth individuals and global investors. His work often bridges property and contentious probate issues, including trustee duties, will challenges, capacity disputes, Inheritance Act claims and cross-border breaches of trust involving significant real estate assets.
Dual-qualified in Pakistan, Shams has acted in high-value matters across the UK, BVI, USA, Switzerland, Belgium, Jersey and Guernsey. Clients value his integrity, calm authority and pragmatic approach, as well as his ability to navigate sensitive disputes with confidence while keeping long-term commercial objectives firmly in sight.
A summary of his work includes the following:
- Projects involving substantial development contracts including JVAs.
- Substantial claims of adverse possession and disputed ownership of high value development land.
- International trust disputes involving property assets including claims of beneficial ownership.
- Regulatory aspects of commercial leases.
- Defending health and safety and occupational prosecutions.
- Telecommunications masts property disputes under the Code.
- Professional negligence claims arising from property transactions.
- Company and family business/shareholder partnership disputes including corporate governance aspects of high-value freehold residential companies.
- Property aspects of planning disputes.
- All forms of enfranchisement claims & disputes in the FTT and related court claims and building disputes.
Expertise
Property Disputes
Trusts & Estates Disputes
Credentials
Listed in the Private Client Global Elite Directory
Ranked in Chambers UK 2026
Recommended in The Legal 500 UK 2026
Recommended in Spear’s 500 2024
Chair and Trustee of the SBA, The Solicitors Charity
Member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Member of the Board of the Old Alleynian Association, Dulwich College
Former Chair of the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society Litigation sub-committee
EXPERIENCE
Shams’s experience includes:
Contentious Trusts and International Private Wealth Dispute: Acting for the trustees of a mosque who own a 23-acre site (with significant planning potential) adjoining the Olympic Stadium in a dispute with a rival group who claim it is held on trust for them.
Contentious Trusts and International Private Wealth Dispute: Acting for the defendants in Morina & Ors v Scherbakova & Ors, being English High Court proceedings concerning a substantial probate claim and a claim as to the ownership of the shares in a BVI company, parallel international succession dispute litigated in Belgium.
Contentious Trusts and International Private Wealth Dispute: Represented a UHNW client on a breach of trust and breach of contract claim, involving related proceedings in USA and Saudi Arabia.
Contentious Trusts and International Private Wealth Dispute: Advised on defending a UHNW client on a substantial estate claim concerning multiple offshore trusts and assets held including Saudi Arabia, Jersey and Switzerland.
Property Dispute: Successfully acting for a joint venture party in an arbitration which held both that land could not be sold without our client’s permission and that, were the land to be sold, £5m rather than £23m should be deducted from the sale price before division amongst the JV parties.
Property Dispute: Successfully represented the vendors of a large country estate in retrieving their sentimental family owned items and other family belongings from the property post completion, issues of alleged abandonment and title to goods.
Property Dispute: Representing a well known London club on the lease renewal of its premises, including issues of alleged forfeiture, disrepair, occupation and Covid related rent arrears under arbitration.
Property Dispute: Represented Hundalani in respect of service charge dispute and alleged interference with a right of way (Crane Road Properties LLP v Hundalani [2006] EWHC 2066 (Ch) [2006] PLSCS 191).
Property Dispute: Represented the Government of France in opposing the neighbour’s proposed basement excavation at the Ambassador’s residence in Kensington, both in court action and planning applications.
Property Dispute: Acted for Connie Investments Limited in its successful defence of claims brought by Avni Kensington Hotel whereby Connie was able to implement historic rent reviews of its hotel premises and recover possession as Avni’s claim for security of tenure failed, followed by a successful claim for dilapidations and rent review arbitration.
Property Dispute: Represented developers in successfully implementing joint venture agreements with partner businesses.
Shams brings a tactical nous to matters and has a wonderful way with clients.
Chambers UK 2026
He has excellent knowledge and awareness of litigation matters and offers great client support.
Chambers UK 2026
He gives us the best solutions to our problems.
Chambers UK 2026
Shams is very strong in all areas.
Chambers UK 2026
Shams is a robust, calm, assured and persuasive property litigator.
Chambers UK 2025
I have worked with Shams Rahman for a number of years. I regard him as an excellent property litigator.
The Legal 500 UK 2025
Shams Rahman is a pleasure to deal with, very responsive and very client-focused.
The Legal 500 UK 2024
Shams Rahman is highly experienced with very sharp legal mind.
The Legal 500 UK 2023
Shams Rahman is excellent at dealing with clients who face difficult situations. Strategizes and manages cases deftly and has good judgement.
The Legal 500 UK 2023
Shams Rahman took the lead in presenting the client’s case persuasively and he negotiated hard on their behalf to achieve a good outcome.
The Legal 500 UK 2022
There was typically one port of call throughout the whole process who was aware of where we were at each stage of the case. All of the staff were very knowledgeable both legally and also on our particular case.
The Legal 500 UK 2021