Tribunals · City of London Corporation · 2017 rating list

3RD & 4TH FLRS 20 OLD BAILEY, EC4M 7BH

Office and Premises Decided 31 July 2025 CHG101121861 Savills UK Limited

OutcomeAllowed in partThe tribunal reduced the rateable value, but by less than the ratepayer sought.
Original RV£242,000£525/m²
Ratepayer sought—
VO conceded first—
Tribunal decided£260,000£500/m²

Figures are as stated in the decision; a dash means the document does not state that figure. This decision covers 12 properties; the figures shown are for the first listed.

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellants argued that the rateable values in the 2017 rating list were unreasonable and sought reduction to £475 psm (later revised from £450 psm), later revised to £500 psm. The appellants relied on rental evidence from within the subject building, analysed comparables at 10 Old Bailey (£480 psm) and 60 Ludgate Hill (£550 psm), and argued for a distinction between newly built and refurbished properties. The tribunal found the existing assessment at £525 psm was unreasonable and, considering the evidence including photographs demonstrating the subject property was superior to 10 Old Bailey but inferior to 60 Ludgate Hill, determined the appropriate tone was £500 psm, reducing all subject properties accordingly.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was Metro Bank plc / Withers LLP / Phoenix Group / Barings, represented.

Grounds argued

  • Comparable assessments (tone)
  • Rental evidence
Evidence
Rents, Settled assessments, Photographs, Expert report
Cases cited
Dawn Bunyan (VO) v Acenden Limited [2023] UKUT 17 (LC); Gardiner & Theobald LLP v David Jackson (VO) [2018] UKUT 0253 (LC); Denton v TH White Ltd [2014] EWCA Civ 906
Hearing
1 July 2025

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