Dellah Gilbert, the head of real estate disputes at specialist commercial real estate law firm Maples Teesdale, has been appointed as the new chair of the Property Litigation Association.
She takes over the one-year role from Mathew Ditchburn, Hogan Lovells’ head of real estates disputes.
The PLA is a membership organisation for professionals working in commercial, residential and agricultural property law. It campaigns for improvement in the court service and the law, and gives members networking, training and wellbeing services.
Gilbert will work with Mark Reading, a partner in Mishcon de Reya’s real estate dispute resolution team, who has been appointed vice-chair. Both of them have been heavily involved in the PLA for a number of years.
“As market and economic conditions become increasingly challenging, I believe we will see property litigators stepping up and taking an ever more prominent position in supporting the industry during a difficult period,” Gilbert said.
“The PLA provides a fantastic forum for litigators to come together and share their knowledge and experiences – which is particularly beneficial during times of uncertainty and change.”
Gilbert started her career at Hogan Lovells in 1991, moving to Maples Teesdale in 2015.
“It’s the commitment of Dellah, Mark and all the other busy property litigators who voluntarily give up their time that ensures the PLA makes such a vital contribution to the property industry and wider legal landscape,” Ditchburn said.
