Suffian Hussain

Suffian is a specialist property barrister, and his experience encompasses (but is not limited to):

Real property disputes; Residential and commercial landlord and tenant work for private landlords, tenants, local authorities, and housing associations; Probate-related property litigation; Litigation before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber); Litigation before the Magistrates' Court in relation to property-related criminal offences; Enforcement proceedings (Charging Orders and Orders for Sale).

Below is a sample of cases handled by Suffian. If your property-related issue does not fall within the areas outlined below, Suffian may still be able to assist:

• Possession proceedings, including against persons unknown;
• Boundary disputes between neighbouring properties;
• Tenancy succession;
• Adverse possession;
• Tolata claims;
• Tenancy deposit claims;
• Forfeiture and relief from forfeiture proceedings;
• Service charge disputes;
• Dispensation applications;
• Estoppel;
• Property damage;
• Injunctions (interim relief and/or access injunctions);
• Easements;
• Disrepair;
• 1954 Act business lease renewals;
• Leasehold enfranchisement;
• Trespass and nuisance claims;

Written work

Alongside his court practice, Suffian provides advisory and drafting services across the full spectrum of property-related litigation and civil procedure. Recent work includes advising on service; advising on a prospective Tolata claim; advising pre-action on nuisance or trespass claims; advising on a prospective easement claim; and settling Statements of Case in property litigation.

About me

Suffian Ali Hussain is a sought-after trial and appellate barrister, specialising in commercial, insolvency, property, and other complex litigation.

Instructing solicitors describe Suffian as a "tenacious advocate" who is "dedicated" to achieving the best possible result, and he has "good" drafting skills. Suffian also accepts instructions on a direct-access basis, allowing members of the public to instruct him directly.

Suffian has three years' pre-qualification litigation experience, including one year as a judicial assistant in the High Court (Commercial and Chancery Divisions). Notable cases he assisted with include Krishna Holdco Ltd v Gowrie Holdings Ltd & Ors [2023] EWHC 1538 (Ch) and At the Premises Test Case [2023] EWHC 1481 (Comm).

Suffian enjoys a balanced practice. He has successfully represented clients unled in the Court of Appeal, the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber), the High Court, the County Court, the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), the Employment Tribunal, the Magistrates' Court, and at mediation.

Alongside his busy court practice, Suffian accepts instructions for advisory work, providing advice in writing and/or in conference, as well as drafting Statements of Case.

Suffian has received numerous academic scholarships and legal awards, including the Certificate of Honour from the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple for his performance at Bar school.

Notable cases

Hamer v Levy [2025] EWHC 3101 (KB) Suffian successfully appeared for the respondent landlord before the High Court. The appellant tenant was ordered to give up possession of the property by a district judge under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 ("the Order"). The appellant appealed the Order to a Circuit Judge, who struck out the appeal. The tenant then appealed the Circuit Judge's decision to the High Court, which dismissed the appeal with costs. MH & MLtd v FS (Ongoing) Suffian is instructed by the Claimants in a commercial property dispute involving trespass and adverse possession. He successfully obtained a without-notice interim injunction against the Defendant, who has unsuccessfully attempted to have the injunction discharged. The trial is listed for mid-2026. JW v RB & PB (County Court) Suffian successfully represented the Defendants in a complex nuisance trial between two neighbours. The trial involved limitation issues, with the claimant alleging a "continuing nuisance" to his property, and submissions addressed causation and Jalla v Shell [2023] UKSC 16. The claim was dismissed. S v W (County Court) Suffian obtained declaratory relief in a multi-day trial, which clarified where the boundary of the Claimant's property was. This case contained complex expert evidence from a civil engineer and a topographical surveyor. 8-9 Ground Floor, Oxford Street, Southampton, SO14 3DJ (First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)) Suffian successfully appeared for the landlord in an application for determination of liability to pay service charges under Section 27A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The tribunal found that the Applicant applied different percentages for separate categories of cost, which was not permissible under the lease. Suffian's submissions persuaded the Tribunal that the long leaseholder was nonetheless liable for the service charges. Hamer v Levy [2025] EWHC 3101 (KB) MH & MLtd v FS (Ongoing)

JW v RB & PB (County Court) Suffian successfully represented the Defendants in a complex nuisance trial between two neighbours. The trial involved limitation issues, with the claimant alleging a "continuing nuisance" to his property, and submissions addressed causation and Jalla v Shell [2023] UKSC 16. The claim was dismissed.

S v W (County Court) 8-9 Ground Floor, Oxford Street, Southampton, SO14 3DJ (First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)) Trial work H & R v GE Ltd (County Court) Suffian represented the Part 20 claimant in a complex multi-day trial. The Part 20 defendants argued a unilateral mistake as to the contracting party, claimed the contract was a distance contract under the ICAC Regulations 2013, and contended that works commenced within the statutory cooling-off period. Submissions addressed Shogun Finance-type arguments on mistake, unjust enrichment, and para. 28 of the ICAC Regulations 2013. The Court found in favour of the Part 20 claimant, who beat a Part 36 offer and was awarded costs exceeding £24,000. C Ltd (County Court) Suffian represented a major airline in a complex trial. The claim was brought by a third party under an assigned right. Suffian persuaded the Court that the assignment was invalid on champerty and maintenance grounds. The claim was dismissed. BS v TS & SS (County Court) Suffian represented the Claimant in a breach of franchise agreement trial and successfully resisted the Defendants' force majeure defence. Liability and quantum were both resolved in the Claimant's favour. KB (County Court) Suffian successfully defended a Government department in civil proceedings after the Claimant's vehicle was wrongly scrapped. Cross-examination revealed that unknown persons had accessed the Claimant's data and registered the vehicle as SORN. The claim was dismissed. Applications BH Ltd (County Court) Suffian acted for a Defendant care home whose identity had been stolen by unknown third parties offering migrants care roles and sponsorship certificates in the UK. He successfully secured strike-out and reverse summary judgment of the claims (pleaded at c. £112,000), with costs. AGM Ltd (County Court) Suffian acted for a respondent removals and storage company in resisting an application to set aside default judgment. The application was delaying bankruptcy proceedings, in which the respondent was the petitioning creditor. The Court dismissed the application with costs. KM v AA Ltd (County Court) Suffian appeared for the Claimant in an application to set aside default judgment arising from a personal guarantee. Submissions addressed the validity of the guarantee, compliance with the Law of Property Act 1925, and quantum. The Court granted the application and set aside the default judgment, which was quantified in the sum of £32,000. AKB v WT Ltd (County Court) Suffian represented the defendant insurer in successfully resisting an interim injunction relating to the payment of an indemnity under an insurance policy. The court dismissed the application, with costs.

Professional & academic

​Education

• BPTC, Graded as Outstanding (Nottingham)
• LL.M (General) with Distinction (Birmingham)
• LL.B (Hons), Upper Second Class Degree with Honours (London)

Awards / Certifications

• Certificate of Honour (Middle Temple)
• Blackstone Scholarship (Major Award)
• Dean's Award for Academic Excellence (Nottingham)
• LL.M Scholarship (Birmingham)