Julia is described in Chambers and Partners as “excellent, with experience beyond her years” and as “remarkably clever, quick thinking and very client friendly”.
She practises in all areas of real property and landlord and tenant law. She has experience of complex, high-value litigation in the High Court and was led Kirk Reynolds KC in Brooke Homes (Bicester) Ltd v Portfolio Property Partners Ltd [2021] EWHC 3015 (Ch). This was a 9 day trial of a claim relating to the proposed construction of an eco-town where the claimant sought some £500 million by of damages.
Julia was also junior counsel, led by Guy Fetherstonhaugh KC, in B&M Retail Ltd v HSBC Bank Pension Trust (UK) Ltd. Guy and Julia appeared successfully on behalf of HSBC in this business tenancy renewal claim securing the inclusion of an immediate redevelopment break clause in the new lease."
Julia also has substantial experience appearing as sole counsel and has been described as “truly brilliant on her feet”. Her cases include the following:
- acting for the claimant in Law Society v Dua [2020] EWHC 3528 (Ch). This was a multi-day High Court trial concerning a claim for an order for sale, which raised issues relating to the scope of the doctrine of res judicata and the law relating to “illusory trusts”
- appearing successfully on behalf of a lender in a County Court trial where it was alleged that a transfer had been induced by fraudulent misrepresentation, undue influence and was an unconscionable bargain
- appearing successfully on behalf of a licensor in a County Court trial where the licensee claimed to have a lease benefiting from the protection of Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
Julia also has a busy advisory practice. She has advised on cases concerning, amongst other areas: forfeiture, Housing Act 1988, mortgages, easements, Rent Act 1977, adverse possession, 1954 Act leases, restrictive covenants, escheat, and land registration including rectification of the register. Julia also practises in other areas of law where they relate to property matters, including professional negligence and restitution
"Julia is a calm and measured advocate who displays incredible attention to detail and grasps the issues very quickly."Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2023
"Julia Petrenko has a very good client manner. She is excellent, with experience beyond her years."Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2023
Julia Petrenko has a broad practice handling commercial, residential and agricultural matters. She has experience in landlord and tenant issues, such as lease disputes, and has notable knowledge of cases involving injunctions and fraudulent property matters. "Julia is thorough and good on paper and at trial." "She is very imaginative and has an eye for details. She dug out some killer points on the case."Chambers and Partners UK Guide 2022
‘ Julia is remarkably thorough, quick thinking and very client friendly. It was very telling that the other side's solicitor commented after a hearing that our barrister was truly brilliant on her feet. ’Legal 500 2022More published comments