About Peppercorn Law
At Peppercorn Law, we believe legal services should feel personal, not corporate, and that a legal firm can have a personality. Founded by leasehold solicitor Ricky Coleman, a former partner at a regional firm in Brighton, Peppercorn Law is built on years of hands-on experience in a highly specialised area of property law.
We act for leaseholders in matters including lease extensions, collective enfranchisement and Right to Manage claims. By focusing solely on leasehold law, we provide practical, strategic advice shaped by deep experience of the process, our clients real life priorities, the legislation and the people involved.
We also understand that clients are looking for more than just legal work.
Leasehold matters can feel stressful, technical and time-consuming, particularly when dealing with landlords, local authorities or managing agents. Many clients come to us expecting to spend months chasing updates, worrying about costs or trying to work out what happens next. A key part of our role is removing that mental load for our clients
We aim to provide a process that feels organised, proactive and under control from the outset, with clear fixed fees and straightforward communication throughout. The feedback we consistently receive is that the process felt far easier and less stressful than expected, often compared with previous experiences of dealing with solicitors.
That approach also explains why we are not trying to be the cheapest quote available. We are not a volume conveyancing operation where work is delegated across large teams. We believe there is real value in having an experienced specialist solicitor who takes ownership of the matter from start to finish and keeps things moving without clients needing to chase progress themselves.
Who are our clients?
Peppercorn Law acts for leaseholders looking for focused, high-quality legal advice from a specialist practice. Our clients are often individuals who value expertise, communication and peace of mind over simply obtaining the lowest quote.
They may be extending a lease, joining with neighbours to purchase the freehold of their building or exercising their rights to take over management. In many cases, they are busy professionals who want reassurance that the legal process is being properly handled without needing to constantly follow up or oversee progress themselves.
Because we work exclusively in leasehold law, we remain closely involved with developments in legislation, valuation issues and case law affecting leaseholders. That focus allows us to provide tailored advice and a level of insight that more general practices are often unable to offer. We are also at the forefront of legal technology, which speeds up the process and removes the friction points for our clients; most files are set up within 24 hours without the old fashioned need to bring a passport into the office and take time out of your day.
What’s in a name?
A peppercorn is a legal term used to describe a nominal ground rent, often reserved under a long lease. Given our focus on leasehold law, the name Peppercorn Law is a nod to the traditions and terminology of English property law.
Ricky Coleman
Founder & Principal Solicitor at Peppercorn Law
I’m Ricky Coleman, a solicitor with over a decade of experience specialising in leasehold law.
My firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and listed on the Law Society of England and Wales. This means you can be confident that the advice and services you receive meet the highest professional standards.
These official links confirm my credentials:
I’m a regular writer and speaker on leasehold reform. My practice is built on genuine expertise in a niche area combined with modern technology wherever possible, and I personally handle every case I take on. no outsourcing to overworked paralegals or cookie-cutter legal processes.
Some notable successes in recent years include:
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obtaining a order from the FTT to reduce the outrageous costs of a Sussex based freeholder and its solicitors, from over £11,700 down to £2,400
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defeating Newham Council in a county collective enfranchisement claim combining 55 flats across five blocks in London, which ended up at central London county court
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obtaining the appointment of a Tribunal manager for a property in Brighton that had been subject to years of neglect and mismanagement of the service charge
Alongside my day to day work, I have been published by News on The Block, Inside Conveyancing, Estate Agent today and others. I have hosted legal updates to property professionals and leaseholders, most recently updating members of RICS on leasehold reforms expected in 2025.
Outside of my legal career, I enjoy outdoor pursuits with my young family and in particular hiking, running and endurance sports. In the not too distant past, I have completed a sub 3 hour Boston marathon as well as running several 50 mile ultra marathons along with completing self supported long distance walks of the South Downs Way, West Highland Way and Vanguard Way. I am more of less always planning the next challenge!
