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UK

Claudia Otto

Partner

England & Wales

020 3319 3700

claudia.otto@keystonelaw.co.uk

“I’m an agent I've handled a significant number of property transactions over the years, and I can confidently say that working with Claudia and Cheryl has been a standout experience. Their level of proactivity and responsiveness is genuinely rare in this industry. From start to finish, they were always one step ahead: anticipating issues, communicating clearly, and ensuring nothing was left unresolved or delayed. The last transaction we have handled together was far from straightforward, with several challenges along the way. However, Claudia and Cheryl approached every obstacle with professionalism, efficiency, and a solutions-driven mindset. It’s not often you come across solicitors who combine technical expertise with such strong communication and dedication. I cannot recommend them both highly enough and would not hesitate to work with them again on future transactions.”

- M. U, Client

Claudia has over 20 years’ experience in advising on commercial property transactions, construction, and property development projects. She advises in all areas of commercial property and construction law.

Claudia advises her clients throughout development projects, beginning with identifying project opportunities, the acquisition of development sites and site assembly, advising on the planning process, and the drafting and negotiation of various construction and development documents.

Claudia’s team also deals with the subsequent residential plot sales following development.

Claudia’s clients include property developers, property investors, landowners, high-net-worth individuals, and offshore, property and construction-related businesses.

Claudia is also qualified to practise in Germany.

Expertise

Claudia advises real estate investors and developers on acquisitions, including finance, planning, joint ventures and construction matters, across residential, commercial and mixed-use sectors.

Experience

  • Advised a real estate investment client in respect of the acquisition and disposal of residential, commercial and mixed-use investments including acquisition finance.
  • Advised a well-known UK food producer in negotiating NEC engineering contracts for the design and construction of a new food production plant and facility.

Claudia advises high-net-worth individuals, families and investment companies from the Middle East on UK property acquisitions, developments and disposals, including hotels, commercial units and residential investments, as well as ongoing portfolio management.

Experience

  • Represented a HNW KSA family on the purchase of UK hotels and residential investment properties.
  • Advised an Iraqi-owned investment company on the acquisition and proposed development of a site to developed into a large commercial unit with 59 flats above.
  • Represented a Bahraini HNWI on the acquisition of various properties and land for the purposes of obtaining planning permission and selling on.
  • Advised a high-profile Iraqi family on the acquisition and disposal of commercial development and residential dwelling properties throughout the UK.
  • Ongoing advice to a Lebanese HNW individual (owning property via a foreign investment vehicle) on all commercial property matters relating to his English property portfolio.

Claudia advises developers on large-scale acquisitions, joint ventures, and redevelopment projects across the UK, including residential and mixed-use schemes, planning matters and structuring development arrangements.

Experience

  • Advised a developer on the acquisition of a large-scale development site in Bristol.
  • Advised a real estate developer in respect of the acquisition of an office building in central London with a view to residential development, including advice in relation to planning matters.
  • Advised a developer on the acquisition of a large-scale development site in Bradford.
  • Advised a developer in the site assembly of a number of development sites in Bristol.
  • Advised a developer in the acquisition in north London and ongoing development advice.

Claudia advises student accommodation developers and investors on acquisitions, development, and construction projects, drafting and negotiating building contracts and consultant appointments, and advising on development finance, onward financing, landlord and tenant, planning, and land law matters.

Experience

  • Provided advice to a student accommodation developer in respect of the development and construction of a mixed-use A1/retail development in West London including preparation of the construction tender documentation and negotiation of professional appointment documents including advice on development finance and subsequent onward finance.
  • Dealt with the acquisition of a mixed-use office building in Nottingham and advice in respect of the development into a mixed-use A1/A2 and student accommodation including advice on development finance and subsequent onward finance.
  • Acquisition of a former church building in Nottingham for a student accommodation developer, including advice on the development into student accommodation and development finance.
  • Providing ongoing advice to student accommodation investors holding investments in London, Leicester, Nottingham and Bristol relating to issues surrounding landlord and tenant matters, planning matters, and ad hoc advice relating to land law queries.

Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.

Recognition

Recognised by Best Lawyers UK for Planning 2023–2025

Member of the German British Jurists’ Association

Visiting lecturer of Property and Planning Law at King’s College London

Visiting lecturer at the University of Kent (School of Arts and Architecture) for property law

Claudia qualified as a solicitor in 2003. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2021, she worked at the following firms:

  • Kerman & Co
  • Healys
  • DMH Stallard
  • Pemberton Greenish