Zia Bhaloo was called to the Bar in 1990 and was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2010.  Zia is well-known for her property and landlord and tenant work and has been recommended as a leading junior on both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 for many years.  Her practice covers all areas of property and landlord and tenant and includes: restrictive covenants, adverse possession, easements, title to and sale of land, proprietary estoppel, overage and options, boundary disputes, mortgages, business tenancies (contested renewals), dilapidations, rights of first refusal, rent review, service charges, break clauses, consent to alienation, alterations and change of use and property related insolvency.  She has a good deal of experience of retail work and in relation to mixed use developments.  She also continues to do a significant amount of residential work, mainly for registered social landlords and large landlords.  This work includes dealing with different types of security, possession claims (now largely questions of principle such as whether the court retains a discretion when a mandatory ground for possession is made out, tolerated trespassers and other cases where the outcome will have estate-wide implications) and a significant amount of high value service charge work.  Zia has been representing clients in mediations over the last 15 years and is an ADR Group accredited mediator. 

The Directories

Zia Bhaloo is a regular figure on the scene, especially in landlord and tenant work.  Solicitors "place considerable faith in her all-round abilities, and she is a great example of honey being more deadly than vinegar."  (Chambers & Partners 2010)  

Zia Bhaloo is a "delight to deal with"  (Legal 500, 2009)

"One of the best things about her is that she is a genuine team player."  (Chambers & Partners 2009)

She enjoys an expanding practice, and is someone who "gives her all to a case."  (Chambers & Partners 2009)

"Fantastic on landlord and tenant issues"  (Chambers & Partners 2009)

...and to the "imaginative" Zia Bhaloo.  "Solicitors would row out into the ocean for her" say peers.  (Legal 500, 2008)

Zia Bhaloo is "particularly adept at becoming part of the team" (Chambers & Partners 2008)

According to one source, Bhaloo is "worth her weight in gold," is "approachable," and produces "cross-examinations that are deserving of applause." (Chambers & Partners 2008)

the "clever and inventive" Zia Bhaloo (Legal 500, 2007)

The "tough and robust" Zia Bhaloo is "not an easy ride for opponents" and gives an "excellent and professional service" (Chambers & Partners 2007)

"...incredibly brainy and thorough" and “…an excellent all-rounder” (Legal 500, 2006)

...someone who is"determined and not afraid to stand up to opponents." (Chambers & Partners)

Areas of Emphasis

• Commercial landlord and tenant
• Leasehold enfranchisement
• Residential landlord and tenant

Career & Associations

• LLB (Lond)
• LLM (Lond)
• Called to the Bar in 1990
• Queen's Counsel 2010
• Swahili and Cutchi speaker
• Member of the Chancery Bar Association
• Member of the Property Bar Association

Relevant Experience

• Appointed as expert by parties to a dispute arising out of commercial lease.
• Regular speaker at seminars and courses on areas of emphasis.  Most recently “Service charges and the right to manage”, “The Reforms to the 1954 Act” and “Covenants against Alterations (and injunctions)”
• Acts regularly for Local Authorities and Housing Associations
• Co-Editor of Sweet & Maxwell’s Landlord & Tenant Factbook.