David Varley

David is a solicitor in Land Law’s property litigation team.

David completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in 2018, achieving a distinction, having previously completed the Graduate Diploma in Law in July 2017, also at distinction level and for which he received an award for being the outstanding student in land law. He also has a BA (First Class) in English Language & Literature from the University of Leeds, an MA (Distinction) in Medieval & Renaissance Literary Studies from the University of Durham, and a PhD in Medieval Scandinavian Literature (also from Durham).

Prior to turning to the law, David had a previous career as a university researcher and tutor at Durham University, specialising in the literature, history, language and culture of medieval Scandinavia. He is often pleasantly surprised that so many of the defining principles of modern English law can be seen to derive directly from those set down by the great lawmakers of the Anglo-Saxon and Viking periods – even if swords and axes are (thankfully!) no longer used to settle legal disputes today.

David completed his training contract at Land Law, and qualified in October 2020. During his time at Land Law David has acted for a wide range of commercial landlords and tenants across a number of property issues, including lease renewals, recovery of rent arrears, dilapidations and forfeiture claims. He has also advised companies and individuals in relation to boundary disputes, adverse possession, breaches of restrictive covenants and easements.

David is also a published writer of short stories (mostly horror) and poetry (mostly horrible), and in his spare time can often be found “treading the boards” on stage with his local amateur theatre group.