Property Development

Our experienced commercial lawyers provide strategic advice on commercial agreements that underpin successful property development, from pre-let arrangements to development management and exclusivity contracts. Our guidance ensures that terms are negotiated effectively and are aligned with overall project goals, that risk is managed, that obligations are clear, and that relationships with key stakeholders are protected throughout the life of a development. 

• Advised one of the UK’s largest professional landlords on the property management contracts relating to a £160m residential portfolio in Chelsea and Kensington.  
• Advised a leading property investment company on asset management agreements and associated duty of care deeds.  
• Drafted and negotiated property management agreements for a range of commercial and industrial premises for a property asset manager.  
• Advised a property manager on contracts to manage 20,000 residential assets for Lloyd’s Bank.  
• Acting on the redevelopment of Bolton Market Hall including securing vacant possession and negotiating all pre-lets. 

Our leading experts advise on all aspects of commercial and mixed-use development, including site assembly, planning, structuring, and disposal strategies. With deep knowledge of the sector, we support developers in creating spaces that meet commercial, retail, and residential needs. Whether navigating lease arrangements, tenant pre-lets, or service charge regimes, our commercially minded approach helps clients maximise returns while managing legal and regulatory complexity. 

• Advised a developer on its mixed-use development in Durham.  
• Acted on the construction aspects of a £400m mixed-use redevelopment in Cornwall by Inox Group.  
• Acted for a developer in the acquisition of a mixed-use site in West London for £20 million.  
• Acted in the sale of a mixed-use town centre parade of shops.  
• Acted for a property developer on the acquisition and finance of a London site for the development of 19 residential units.  
• Advised on the acquisition from the NHS of a large mixed-use development site in East London with bridging finance. This involved the negotiation of a complex overage agreement.  
• Acted for a development company advising on issues with disputed consultancy services on a major London mixed development site, with circa 700+ units and retail stores.  
• Acted in the acquisition of a mixed residential and commercial site in the Home Counties and regularisation of existing commercial leases to enable investment sale of commercial units on 999 lease terms and the sale of residential units, the refinance of entire site and eventual sale by way of Section 5 Notices.  
• Advised a developer on its mixed-use development in Durham.  
• Dealt with the acquisition of a mixed-use office building in Nottingham and advised in respect of the development into a mixed-use A1/A2 and student accommodation including advice on development finance and subsequent onward finance.  
• Advised a real estate investment client in respect of the acquisition and disposal of residential, commercial and mixed-use investments including acquisition finance.  
• Acted on the construction aspects of a £400m mixed-use redevelopment in Cornwall by Inox Group.  
• Acted for a residential developer in relation to the acquisition of a former distribution centre for mixed-use development including 328 homes, a care home and commercial units.  

Advising clients on construction requires a deep understanding of contract structures, procurement routes, and project delivery risks. Our team of construction lawyers advise on building contracts, warranties, performance bonds, and dispute avoidance strategies. We assist developers, funders, and contractors in ensuring that construction works are delivered on time, within budget, and with adequate protections in place against delay, defects, and third-party claims. 

• Advised the owners of four business parks in southern England on the refurbishment and construction of offices, laboratories, and other facilities; advice included drafting and settling framework appointments for consultants, direct professional appointments, building contracts, warranties, bonds and guarantees.  
• Advised on the fit-out to establish a data centre for Rackspace as tenant by preparing a construction documents package with particular attention to aspects of the technical specification.  
• Advised on the redevelopment of the Oval Cricket Ground London for the owner, advised on procurement structure, drafted and negotiated the construction contract and professional appointments, and related documents – one of the first projects to use the JCT Major Project form.  
• Drafted suites of construction contracts for UK house-builders on multi-million pound housing schemes including Cotswold Oak (Bloor Homes) and RES Homes. Average value per site is £3m-5.7m.  
• Advised on a residential and retail development in Marsham Street London – drafting design and construction works conditions and direct agreement with design and build contractor, settling parent company guarantees and retention bond, and reviewing and settling funding issues and insurance arrangements.  
• Advised on the drafting of construction contracts for high-end housing developments in London, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire (acting both client and contractor side) and dealing with ongoing contractual issues relating to re-pricing, variations and associated delay claims.  
• Advised on the construction and property aspects of the transaction, including acquiring a lease, a construction contract, and related documents for a life events client, on the acquisition of a culture space in London.  
• Advised on construction and engineering aspects in acquisition of some land in Belgravia and the construction of smart systems townhouses.  
• Advised on construction and engineering aspects in the sale of all of the apartments so far in the Regent’s Crescent development in prime central London.  
• Provided advice on various construction and engineering aspects to for client in relation to the relocation of their London office to a new development at Eccleston Place in Belgravia.  
• Advised on construction management agreement and trade contracts for a high-end residential development in London.  
• Advised a contractor on a series of fit-out and new build construction contracts.  
• Advised a developer on its mixed-use development in Durham.  
• Advised on the construction of a student accommodation scheme and private residential buildings in Edinburgh.  
• Reflections, Singapore – construction of residential towers. Providing support, advice and strategy to the D&C contractor in respect of issues surrounding provision of utilities for the project, extension of time and additional costs claims.   
• 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.  
• Acted on the construction aspects of a £400m mixed-use redevelopment in Cornwall by Inox Group.  
• The construction aspects for hospitals at Ealing, Croydon and Kent in the UK to the value of £200 million each.  
• Acted for one of the world’s leading museums in drafting and negotiating its design and build contract for the construction of a 16,000 sqm London store-house museum through to contract award and providing contractual support throughout the construction phase to the project team.  

Our property development experts have proven expertise in advising on all aspects of development agreements, including conditional contracts, building obligations, and profit-sharing arrangements. We provide strategic advice that reflects both commercial imperatives and planning risk. Whether acting for developers, landowners, or public bodies, we ensure that agreements are robust, clearly allocate risk, and support long-term project delivery objectives. 

• Acted for Countryside Properties on a joint operations agreement for the development of a property in Bishop Stortford.  
• Acted for Telford Homes on the corporate aspects of a forward-funding deal for Capital Interchange Way, Brentford.  
• Advised on the redevelopment of the Oval Cricket Ground London for the owner, advised on procurement structure, drafted and negotiated the construction contract and professional appointments, and related documents – one of the first projects to use the JCT Major Project form.  
• Advised on a residential and retail development in Marsham Street London – drafting design and construction works conditions and direct agreement with design and build contractor, settling parent company guarantees and retention bond, and reviewing and settling funding issues and insurance arrangements.  
• Advised on an office development St. James’ Street London – liaising with and reviewing and input to lease agreement, reviewing and resolving funding agreement issues, drafting and negotiating professional appointments, drafting and negotiating the building contract, assisting with project account arrangements, advising on insurance arrangements.  
• Advised an international university on the development of its student accommodation in London.  
• Provided procurement advice and drafted contracts for the Cell Therapy Catapult (Innovate UK) on its £6m clean-room fit-out contract for research and development at Guy’s Hospital.  
• Advised on the drafting of construction contracts for high-end housing developments in London, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire (acting both client and contractor side) and dealing with ongoing contractual issues relating to re-pricing, variations and associated delay claims.  
• Advised a consortium on strategic planning issues and s106 agreement for the development of up to 2,700 dwellings at South East Coalville development including new primary school, public open space and ancillary transport, highways and drainage infrastructure.  
• Acted for Leath Park Developments Limited on the site acquisition, development and onward sale of a 65-bed care home to CARE UK in Whitstable.  
• Advised a private owner in respect of the initial development plans for the creation of an award-winning luxury spa hotel in the UK (Calcot Manor Hotel situated in the Cotswolds). This included advising on listed building controls, planning procedures and legal agreements.  
• Acted for a development company advising on issues with disputed consultancy services on a major London mixed development site, with circa 700+ units and retail stores.  
• Advised an Irish property development group owning a large portfolio of property in Ireland and the UK.  
• Acted for a Manchester-based developer in relation to all site acquisition, development, lettings and onward sales of sites.  
• Acquisition of a former church building in Nottingham for a student accommodation developer, including advice on the development into student accommodation and development finance.  
• Advised a developer on the acquisition of a large-scale development site in Bristol.  
• Drafted and negotiated building contracts and consultant appointments for a development of B1 mixed-use student accommodation in South West London comprising 347 student beds and 2,100 square metres of office/retail space together with acting for developers on building contracts for other mixed student accommodation and retail unit developments including advice on development finance and subsequent onward finance.  
• Advised an ultra-high-end developer on the development of a property in Chelsea, London.  
• Advised Grainger Plc on a build-to-rent development in Bristol.  
• Advised Department of Transport and HS2 on the development of Euston station and surrounding land.  
• Drafted and negotiated the building contract, professional appointments and ancillary documents for Magdalen College for the Oxford Science Park Project.  
• Acted for Lloyds Bank on 4 extra care developments, advising upon and negotiation of all the construction documents (each development in excess of £30m).  
• Drafted and negotiated the building contracts and ancillary documents for Lincoln College development projects in Oxford.  
• Acted on the following projects: Swansea University Accommodation Project; Slough Schools PFI Project; and North Tyneside Extra Care and Sheltered Housing Project.  
• Acted for a residential developer in relation to the acquisition of a former distribution centre for mixed-use development including 328 homes, a care home and commercial units.  
• Acted for Hammerson Plc (Grantchester Properties Gloucester Limited) in connection with its redevelopment of the Cattle Market, Gloucester, as a retail park.  
• Acted for a range of REITs in the preparation of construction documentation for developments including retail parks; industrial units; healthcare facilities; hotels; student accommodation; office and commercial parks.  

With deep commercial insight, we help clients manage risk and navigate the legal complexities of disposing of development assets. Our property lawyers are experienced in advising on a wide range of disposals, including forward sales, unit sales, and structured exits. We provide end-to-end support on negotiation, title matters, tax structuring, and practical completion, ensuring seamless transactions and maximum value realisation. 

• Advised on the acquisition and redevelopment of farm buildings and listed barns into four high-value residential units and their subsequent disposal.  
• Advised various developers on the acquisition redevelopment and disposal of residential units on various private estates and Crown Estate in Surrey to include St George’s Hill Weybridge and the Wentworth Estate.  
• Acted on the acquisition and disposal of development land, including obtaining related planning consents and the drafting and negotiation of s106 obligations in commercial, residential, student housing and retail in east London with a GDV of £140 million.  
• Advised an offshore company on corporate tax implications of acquisition, holding and potential future disposal of a substantial real estate development in London.   
• Lead real estate partner for the Church Commissioners and dealt with their sizeable strategic land bank, which involved site assembly and preparation and subsequent disposal to leading house builders. This often prompted legacy and ethical issues which required careful consideration.  
• 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 UK-based property and opportunity fund on its investment purchases and a series of high-value disposals including related structuring and planning issues.  
• Acted in the disposal of Stradey Park, Llanelli (former home of Llanelli Scarlets) to Taylor Wimpey for residential development. The project involved a number of complexities – call in, “roof tax” , and ransom strips.  
• Advised on a promotion agreement with a national developer acting for a private landowner and ultimate disposal to Bovis Homes.  
• Acted on behalf of public sector bodies in relation to the disposal of surplus land for development.  
• Acted for property funds on acquisitions and disposals of industrial estates and other investments.  
• Advised on construction management agreement and trade contracts for a high-end residential development in London.  
• Advised a developer on its mixed-use development in Durham.  

Our dispute resolution team’s extensive experience helps clients mitigate risks and resolve disputes in the property development sector, from construction claims to joint venture disagreements. We provide rapid, strategic advice in response to contractual breaches, planning issues, and delay-related claims. With a calm, commercial approach, we help clients protect their position, avoid escalation, and achieve practical solutions whether through litigation, arbitration, or negotiation. 

• Acted in a professional negligence matter concerning defects arising from the negligent design of a high-value residential conversion.  
• Acted for a developer in relation to a defects dispute concerning the design and construction of a major office development in Manchester.  
• Advised a private bank on the construction documentation in respect of a multimillion-pound office redevelopment.  
• Successfully resolved a £4m dispute relating to the renovation of a Grade 1 listed property in the Cotswolds.  
• Advised on a trial in the TCC in a professional negligence claim against a consulting engineer in respect of the redevelopment of a site into a shopping centre.  
• Advised on a claim against consulting engineers in respect of the design and construction of a Wembley stadium.  
• Advised on an injunction against a developer for breaching a party wall agreement.  
• Advising a contractor in response to allegations of defects in the design and workmanship on a commercial development including defending substantial claims brought against the contractor for diminution in value and loss of profits.  
• Represented a college on issues concerning works carried out on a project to design and build a new school and sporting facilities.  
• Acted for a development company advising on issues with disputed consultancy services on a major London mixed development site, with circa 700+ units and retail stores.  
• Advised a specialist construction management provider on a payment mechanism for a payment dispute concerning a multi-million-pound development in central London.  
• Advised a specialist construction management provider on alleged water ingress issues, and a payment dispute concerning a multi-million-pound development project in London.  
• Advised a specialist construction management provider in a dispute with a stonework subcontractor on a multi-million-pound London project, regarding payments and defects.  
• Acted for a property developer in a successful appeal in the Court of Appeal, against the grant of an injunction, in favour of the local planning authority preventing the development of a parcel of land alleged to be part of the land to be made available to the residents of a block of flats.  
• Obtained an injunction to stop a development project and negotiated the basis for the continuation of the same.  

With deep sector knowledge, our finance lawyers support clients through complex finance arrangements in property development markets. Our team advises on senior and mezzanine finance, debt restructuring, intercreditor arrangements, and refinancing of development assets. Whether funding initial site acquisitions or restructuring existing portfolios, our commercially focused advice ensures that transactions are structured efficiently, risks are mitigated, and regulatory requirements are fully met. 

• Acted on the finance and acquisition of a mixed-use London development of circa 100 units.  
• Acted for a property developer on the acquisition and finance of a London site for the development of 19 residential units.  
• Advised on the acquisition from the NHS of a large mixed-use development site in East London with bridging finance. This involved the negotiation of a complex overage agreement.  
• Acted on the £5 million re-finance of a large London development site, acting for the borrower.  
• Advised Melford Capital in connection with a number of CRE acquisitions, related external financing and intra-group funding and subsequent disposals (asset and SPV) across a variety of asset classes, most recently including retail parks (Luton and Newbury), nursing homes (Bromley) and multi-tenanted asset, Great Western Studios.  
• Assisted Greenridge Property Investment Limited in relation to various transactions involving the acquisition via IoM structures of a portfolio of properties including retail parks (Aberdeen and Elgin) and a mixed-use building (Capital Quarter, Cardiff), together with the associated intra-group and third-party financing. Also advised Greenridge in connection with the re-financing of 3M’s Headquarters, Bracknell. Total external funding c. £140M.  
• Advised a company (listed on the MDAX index) in relation to its provision of a short-term secured term loan facility of €324M to part-finance the acquisition by a BVI-incorporated property management company (from a consortium of Middle Eastern sovereign wealth investors) of a majority shareholding in an IoM fund (that ultimately holds a portfolio of circa 5,000 residential units in Berlin).  
• Advised an independent property group on the re-financing (by AIG) of existing funding arrangements relating to (i) an extensive portfolio of properties in London (Basildon, Croydon, Bracknell, Norbury, Sutton and Colliers Wood) and associated provision of development funding in connection with certain of those properties (£257M) and (ii) a material portfolio of leisure properties (hotel, cinema, restaurants) in London’s West End (c. £280M).  
• Advised a Government agency on the multimillion-pound financing of a residential development by major property developers.   
• Acted in the acquisition of a parade and offices in Central and Greater London, including dealing with the finance and sales, where the client carried out a 40-unit residential scheme. Work included off-plan plot sales (including Help to Buy Scheme), and the breakup of long lease investments of commercial parts, and sale of part car park for future development with the benefit of planning.  
• Dealing with the acquisition of a warehouse building in Leicester for the purpose of conversion and development of student accommodation including advice on development finance and subsequent onward finance.  
• Advised a real estate investment client in respect of the acquisition and disposal of residential, commercial and mixed-use investments including acquisition finance.  
• Advised Gresham House REIT on a programme for residential property development and financing.  
• Advised on a £265m bond issue to Tipi Properties, Quintain’s PRS business, for the refinancing of two PRS blocks in Wembley.  
• Advised on a £82.5m bond in order to make a loan secured on PRS assets owned by Realstar European Capital II LP (to finance a 46-storey residential tower in Elephant and Castle).  
• Advised Canary Wharf Group on the real estate financing of 20 Canada Square (the London headquarters of Standard & Poor’s).  
• Advised FHW Dalmore and Investec on the first publicly listed, unwrapped and tranched capital markets product (since the financial crisis) to finance a UK social housing project (FHW Dalmore (Salford Pendleton Housing) plc).  
• Advised on the financing of a hotel development at Heathrow on behalf of offshore lenders.  
• Advised on development finance of high-end residential developments in the home counties on behalf of offshore lenders.  
• Acted for providers of land acquisition and mezzanine finance.  
• Acting for the mezzanine finance provider on an acquisition of commercial real estate in Kent.  

Health and safety regulations are complex; our expert lawyers are on hand to provide clear, strategic advice, assisting clients in navigating Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) obligations, risk assessments, and liability issues. Our team delivers pragmatic, industry-specific guidance that supports smooth operations, reduces exposure to claims, and ensures compliance from design to completion. We act for developers, contractors, and consultants with a proactive approach to managing health and safety across all stages of a project. 

• Advised on a fire safety review of a UK pension fund’s property portfolio with estimated remedial works of £111 million, including negotiation of MHCLG-compliant construction documents for 37 developments, review of fire engineer reports, and drafting tenant correspondence. 
• Acting for the leaseholder owned landlord company of a large residential London block in relation to claims in the First-tier Property Tribunal (with over 100 respondents) regarding fire safety issues including cladding replacement, wooden balconies and unsafe cladding. This includes advice and claims in relation to the Building Safety Act 2022, Remediation Contribution Orders against developers and PAS9980 fire risk appraisal. 
• Advised professional freeholder of blocks of flat on its rights and responsibilities under the new Building Safety Act 2002 and Regulations, including its duties to residential long leaseholders. 
• Acted for a housing association in relation to 42 disputes concerning defective cladding and fire safety on residential properties, several of which were resolved by way of litigation. 
• Acted for the developer on a dispute over fire-safety-related building defects and agreeing new terms for sale using a building regulations functional compliance assessment by an IFE-registered fire engineer. 

Our expert lawyers provide strategic advice on structuring and managing joint ventures across the property development sector. With a clear understanding of governance, funding, and exit mechanics, we ensure that joint venture agreements support collaboration while protecting each party’s investment. We support both corporate and contractual joint venture arrangements, offering tailored solutions that reflect the specific commercial and operational goals of the parties involved. 

• Advised investors on joint venture documentation for a significant development in London.  
• Acted for Telford Homes on a joint venture with SNG for the acquisition and development of the Rotherhithe gas works.  
• Drafted the suite of investment documents and dealing with the due diligence and acquisition of a development site (with a value of circa £6 million) for a newly formed joint venture company, including dealing with the clearance of restrictive covenants and rights to light issues, drafting the suite of construction documents and dealing with the refinance for the same development company, followed by site setup and disposal documentation.  
• Acted for Wedgewood Homes Limited on various development acquisitions including a joint venture with Barwood Capital for the delivery of a 12-unit scheme in Kent.  
• Acted on a joint venture for the acquisition and delivery of an 87-unit scheme in Littlebourne, Kent.  
• Advised a joint venture developer on a significant commercial and residential development in the North East.  
• Advised a developer in a development joint venture with the Royal Borough of Barking and Dagenham.  
• Advised a developer in a development joint venture with the Royal Borough of Barking and Dagenham.  
• Advised a developer on a joint venture with Telereal Trillium to develop a £3bn GDV site in north London.  
• Acted for Adalta Real PLC in its development joint venture with U+I PLC for a mixed-use destination adjacent to Bicester Village (circa £100ml dev value) which was ultimately sold to Value Retail.  
• Acted for a property development plc in its joint venture arrangements for a mixed-use development in East London over a fifteen-acre site.  
• Advised investors on joint venture documentation for a significant development in London.  

Our expert property development lawyers provide strategic advice on the use of options and conditional contracts, helping clients secure development rights while managing planning and market risks. We have a wealth of experience in drafting bespoke option agreements that align with wider acquisition and disposal strategies. Whether acting for landowners or developers, we ensure agreements are structured to maximise flexibility and protect future value. 

• Negotiated numerous options with house builders including Taylor Wimpey, Countryside Properties, and Dandara as well as smaller regional developers.  
• Advised a property developer on the negotiation of an option agreement for the acquisition of a Central London development site.  
• Advised a property developer on the negotiation of an option agreement for the acquisition of a prime Central London development site.  
• Negotiated options and overage agreements for landowner clients.  
• Acted for a furniture manufacturer in a claim against a major supermarket chain, relating to an option notice served on the client by the supermarket seeking to buy back a development site. Proceedings were issued in the Chancery.  
• Advised a UK developer in taking options and securing planning consent over greenfield and brownfield sites in the south east of England. 

Overage arrangements require deep knowledge of the development process and long-term land value. Our team acts for landowners, developers, and funders, advising on the structuring, enforcement, and variation of overage provisions. With a practical and proactive approach, we help clients manage complex triggers, calculation mechanisms, and payment conditions, ensuring that future uplift in land value is preserved and disputes are avoided. 

• Negotiated options and overage agreements for landowner clients.  
• Acted in the sale of residential development sites to, inter alia, Redrow Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Wates/Vistry, Abbey, and Bovis Homes for sale prices ranging from £5m to over £25m and ancillary legal charges to secure deferred payments as well as overage and clawback provisions.  
• Advised on the acquisition from the NHS of a large mixed-use development site in East London with bridging finance. This involved the negotiation of a complex overage agreement.  
• Acted for an international contractor on a multi-million pound claim relating to losses sustained on a dredging and reclamation contract for a UK port on issues of design and workmanship, insurance coverage, delay, and disruption.  
• Advised a developer on a co-living scheme in Docklands with an overage profit share.  
• Advised a developer in negotiating a purchase of land including agricultural buildings to be converted to residential accommodation from the Church Commissioners with overage provision for construction of additional units above an agreed ceiling number.  
• Advised a developer on an  acquisition of a large piece of strategic development land for more than 160 homes with multiple overage arrangements and profit share arrangements including profit share arrangements.  

Our specialist planning lawyers advise on planning matters at every stage of the development lifecycle. Our team supports clients through local plan representations, planning applications, section 106 agreements, and appeals. Our commercially focussed advice on planning strategy and policy advice ensures clients can move forward with confidence, mitigate delay risk, and unlock development potential while navigating ever-evolving planning requirements. 

• Advised on the acquisition and disposal of development land, including obtaining related planning consents and the drafting and negotiation of s106 obligations in commercial, residential, student housing and retail in east London with a GDV of £140 million.  
• Advised on numerous housing applications and appeals for PLC housebuilders and developers including advising a consortium of three major housebuilders on their planning application to build over 700 homes on an old hospital site, with numerous parts of the property having listed status.  
• Conducted legal audits of planning application/EIA – reviewed planning applications and environmental statements for housebuilders and developers, including in relation to conjoined developments and developments in the greenbelt.  
• Negotiated section 106 and section 278/38 agreements, including schemes requiring Mayor of London approval.  
• Advised on due diligence for housing and commercial sales and purchases – conducted due diligence for housebuilders and commercial developers in relation to sales and purchases, including sites located in areas of archaeological importance and large mixed-use, phased schemes.  
• Advised a build-to-rent developer on their first shared ownership portfolio acquisition including complex advice around affordable recycling obligations and negotiating deeds of variations to section 106 agreements to vary the affordable provisions to ensure the purchaser could comply with the s106 obligations.  
• Advised in relation regeneration of town centres including acting for Swindon Council on their £33 million town regeneration scheme.  
• Advised in relation to enforcement notice appeals.  
• Appeared as advocate at a public inquiry on behalf of the private owner of a leading hotel in Monmouthshire, successfully resisting plans for a major housing development by a leading national housebuilder on a site close to the hotel, in the Green Belt, which had threatened the client’s business.  
• Advised a private owner in respect of the initial development plans for the creation of an award-winning luxury spa hotel in the UK (Calcot Manor Hotel situated in the Cotswolds). This included advising on listed building controls, planning procedures and legal agreements.  
• Advised a hotel owner on successfully resisting a judicial review challenge brought by neighbouring landowners to the grant of planning permission relating to a planned major expansion of the existing hotel premises and business operation. 
• Unauthorised development in the AONB: R (oao) Hatcher v Monmouthshire County Council [2014] EWHC 2914 (Admin).  
• Successfully advised a cricket club in relation to judicial review proceedings followed by a long-running series of legal dispute relating to unauthorised housing development affecting its ground.  
• Advised a farming company in relation to contract negotiations concerning strategic development proposals for a major urban extension to Chipping Campden.  
• Advised an education sector client in relation to development projects across its portfolio of school properties using permitted development rights.  
• Advised a private owner in respect of the initial development plans for the creation of an award-winning luxury spa hotel in the UK (Calcot Manor Hotel situated in the Cotswolds). This included advising on listed building controls, planning procedures and legal agreements.  
• Advised a UK developer in taking options and securing planning consent over greenfield and brownfield sites in the south east of England.  
• Advised a UK-based property and opportunity fund on its investment purchases and a series of high-value disposals including related structuring and planning issues.  
• Advised a consortium on strategic planning issues and s106 agreement for the development of up to 2,700 dwellings at South East Coalville development including new primary school, public open space and ancillary transport, highways and drainage infrastructure.  
• Advised Lloyds Bank on environmental and planning issues for the land assembly and development of a 15,000m2 data centre on a greenfield site in Northamptonshire. 
• Advised Scottish Widows Investment Property Partnership Trust on planning and highways agreements for the regeneration of over 150,000sq feet of retail and public space in Sheffield’s main pedestrianised street, The Moor, in partnership with the Sheffield City Council.  
• Advised the London Borough of Haringey on planning and compulsory purchase matters for re-development of the White Hart Lane stadium and comprehensive urban regeneration by Tottenham Hotspur Football Club including new 56,250-seat stadium, 200 residential units and 150-room hotel.  

Our commercially minded approach combines sector-specific insight with property investment expertise, enabling us to support clients in structuring acquisitions, managing portfolios, and executing exit strategies. Our property investment lawyers have proven expertise in advising on asset management, pre-let arrangements, funding structures, and tax implications. Whether acting for institutional investors or private developers, our team ensures that investment decisions are legally secure and commercially optimised. 

• Advised a large social housing provider on SDLT issues relating to the set-up and transfer of property to large investment funds.  
• Advised on tax-efficient structure for the acquisition of large commercial investment property.  
• Acted for Aldar, one of the largest investment development companies in Abu Dhabi, with regard to a myriad of matters ranging from a key single let of a 60-storey tower, to a strategic JV (including a transfer of key properties into the newly created JV ventures with layered leases created therefrom), to advising on multiple L&T issues across its diverse commercial and retail portfolio, including office towers and shopping centres, to Waterworld, and upon various hospitality matters and academy issues relating to its portfolio of hotels and group of schools.  
• Acted for a multibillion-pound investment fund on the sale of a Luxembourg subsidiary company holding a prominent London development site, advising on the real estate aspects of the deal.  
• Assisted Greenridge Property Investment Limited in relation to various transactions involving the acquisition via IoM structures of a portfolio of properties including retail parks (Aberdeen and Elgin) and a mixed-use building (Capital Quarter, Cardiff), together with the associated intra-group and third-party financing. Also advised Greenridge in connection with the re-financing of 3M’s Headquarters, Bracknell. Total external funding c. £140M.  
• Advised a company (listed on the MDAX index) in relation to its provision of a short-term secured term loan facility of €324M to part-finance the acquisition by a BVI-incorporated property management company (from a consortium of Middle Eastern sovereign wealth investors) of a majority shareholding in an IoM fund (that ultimately holds a portfolio of circa 5,000 residential units in Berlin).  
• Acted on the £100m+ debt restructuring of a major private property investment group.  
• Acted on the acquisition of a mixed residential and commercial site in the Home Counties and regularisation of existing commercial leases to enable investment sale of commercial units on 999 lease terms and the sale of residential units, the refinance of entire site and eventual sale by way of Section 5 Notices.  
• Advised an Iraqi-owned investment company on the acquisition and proposed development of a site to become 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 real estate investment client in respect of the acquisition and disposal of residential, commercial and mixed-use investments including acquisition finance.  
• Advised a UK-based property and opportunity fund on its investment purchases and a series of high-value disposals including related structuring and planning issues.  
• Acted in the structuring and creation of new partnerships between a major investment bank, developers and operational specialists and subsequent development acquisitions for assisted care living use.  
• Advised on the acquisition of a development site in the home counties for an offshore investor.  
• Advised on corporate lending and equity investment of a group of companies with property interests in Spain.  
• Advised on corporate lending and equity investment for an offshore lender relating to land interests in Southern Africa.  
• Advised investors on joint venture documentation for a significant development in London.  

Our specialist lawyers assist clients in managing their property portfolios effectively, from drafting management agreements and leases to advising on compliance and enforcement issues. Our team delivers pragmatic, industry-specific guidance that supports smooth operations and reduces the risk of disputes. Whether managing mixed-use schemes, commercial assets, or residential estates, we help clients protect value, maintain compliance, and resolve issues swiftly and efficiently. 

• Acted for a well-known UK pension fund with £14 billion AUM on the disposal of its UK retail portfolio for £25 million.  
• Advised on the re-financing of the substantial leasehold property portfolio of an international, multi award-winning hairdressing brand.  
• Acted for a UK pension fund in granting leases of their industrial, office and retail property portfolio.  
• Advised on the disposal of a portfolio of bars and nightclubs for a well-known leisure client.  
• Acted for Arlington Advisors on the sale of a portfolio of student accommodation assets to DIF Capital Partners.  
• Acted for Aldar, one of the largest investment development companies in Abu Dhabi, with regard to a myriad of matters ranging from a key single let of a 60-storey tower, to a strategic joint venture (including a transfer of key properties into the newly created joint ventures with layered leases created therefrom), to advising on multiple landlord and tenant issues across its diverse commercial and retail portfolio, including office towers and shopping centres, to Waterworld, and upon various hospitality matters and academy issues relating to its portfolio of hotels and group of schools.  
• Advised a build-to-rent developer on their first shared ownership portfolio acquisition including complex advice around affordable recycling obligations and negotiating deeds of variations to section 106 agreements to vary the affordable provisions to ensure the purchaser could comply with the s106 obligations.  
• Advised an education sector client in relation to development projects across its portfolio of school properties using permitted development rights.  
• Led the Real Estate team that secured the letting of 40 Chancery Lane, a landmark development of 100,000 sq ft to the Publicis Group. Oversaw the management of a number of buildings in their portfolio and was heavily involved in their bespoke letting documents.  
• Advised an Irish property development group owning a large portfolio of property in Ireland and the UK.  
• Advised one of the UK’s largest professional landlords on the property management contracts relating to a £160m residential portfolio in Chelsea and Kensington.  
• Advised one of the UK’s largest professional landlords on the property management contracts relating to a £160m residential portfolio in Chelsea and Kensington.  
• Advised a leading property investment company on asset management agreements and associated duty of care deeds.  
• Drafted and negotiated property management agreements for a range of commercial and industrial premises for a property asset manager.  
• Advised a property manager on contracts to manage 20,000 residential assets for Lloyd’s Bank.  

Our team of property tax lawyers offer expert advice on the full range of property tax issues, including SDLT, VAT, and capital allowances. We have the deep industry knowledge required to advise on structuring transactions tax-efficiently, working alongside accountants and agents to ensure all opportunities for relief and planning are considered. Our commercially focused advice guides clients through the legal complexities of UK property taxation in development and investment contexts. 

• Advised on the SDLT issues relating to a property held within a large Islamic finance structure.  
• Successfully overturned the decision of a VAT office by HMRC business unit for a major residential developer, allowing the developer full VAT recovery on a significant project.  
• Advised on the sale of corporate entities by a large REIT.  
• Advised a large social housing provider on SDLT issues relating to the set-up and transfer of property to large investment funds.  
• Advised a large Insurance PLC on underwriting SDLT risks.  
• Advised on a tax-efficient structure for the acquisition of large commercial investment property.  
• Advised on ‘design and build’ VAT recovery structure for a residential purchase/redevelopment for property valued at £11 million.  
• Advised on a SDLT-saving structure on the acquisition of commercial development opportunity with a value of £100 million.  
• Advised National Grid on disposal (for over £30m) by way of TOGC to a major developer for the residential development of a major site at Southall and on proposed acquisitions of multiple land interests in connection with a major project.  
• Acted on the £100m+ debt restructuring of a major private property investment group.  
• Advised the real estate arm of a substantial private bank in relation to tax implications of major internal asset reorganisation/refinancing (including advice on corporate interest restrictions).  
• Advised an offshore company on corporate tax implications of acquisition, holding and potential future disposal of a substantial real estate development in London.   
• Acted for major US law firms and a major US multinational investment bank and financial services company bank in connection with taking lettings of office space.   
• Acted for a landlord on a highly complex £140m City development in relation to preserving for landlord capital allowances on £90m landlord’s contribution.   
• Advising property developers on SDLT implications of site fine arrangements.  
• Advised a property developer on a £3.5 million reorganisation to extract profits tax-efficiently and streamline management.  
• Acted in the disposal of Stradey Park, Llanelli (former home of Llanelli Scarlets), to Taylor Wimpey for residential development. The project involved a number of complexities – call in, “roof tax” , and ransom strips.

Our property experts are regularly called upon to advise on regulatory matters affecting property development, including building regulations, fire safety law, ESG compliance, and planning conditions. With expert knowledge on all aspects of real estate regulation, we help clients understand and meet their obligations, respond to changes in the law, and avoid enforcement risk while keeping projects on track and compliant. 

• Advised on an office development St. James’ Street London – liaising with and reviewing and input to lease agreement, reviewing and resolving funding agreement issues, drafting and negotiating professional appointments, drafting and negotiating the building contract, assisting with project account arrangements, advising on insurance arrangements.  
• Acting for Aldar, one of the largest investment development companies in Abu Dhabi, with regard to a myriad of matters ranging from a key single let of a 60-storey tower, to a strategic JV (including a transfer of key properties into the newly created JV ventures with layered leases created therefrom), to advising on multiple L&T issues across its diverse commercial and retail portfolio, including office towers and shopping centres, to Waterworld, and upon various hospitality matters and academy issues relating to its portfolio of hotels and group of schools.  
• Conducted legal audits of planning application/EIA – reviewed planning applications and environmental statements for housebuilders and developers, including in relation to conjoined developments and developments in the greenbelt.  
• Negotiated section 106 and section 278/38 agreements, including schemes requiring Mayor of London approval.  
• Advised a private owner in respect of the initial development plans for the creation of an award-winning luxury spa hotel in the UK (Calcot Manor Hotel situated in the Cotswolds). This included advising on listed building controls, planning procedures and legal agreements.  

Our highly specialist property lawyers advise on all aspects of residential development, from site assembly and planning to unit sales and estate management. We support developers through land acquisition, construction procurement, funding, and exit strategy. With a practical, commercial approach, we help clients manage complex stakeholder interests and evolving regulatory obligations while delivering residential schemes that are viable, compliant, and commercially successful. 

• Advised on numerous housing applications and appeals for PLC housebuilders and developers including advising a consortium of three major housebuilders on their planning application to build over 700 homes on an old hospital site, with numerous parts of the property having listed status.  
• Acted in the sale of residential development sites to, inter alia, Redrow Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Wates/Vistry, Abbey, and Bovis Homes for sale prices ranging from £5m to over £25m and ancillary legal charges to secure deferred payments as well as overage and clawback provisions.  
• Acted for a developer in the acquisition of a mixed-use site in West London for £20 million.  
• Advised National Grid on disposal (for over £30m) by way of TOGC to a major developer for the residential development of a major site at Southall and on proposed acquisitions of multiple land interests in connection with a major project.  
• Lead real estate partner for the Church Commissioners and dealt with their sizeable strategic land bank, which involved site assembly and preparation and subsequent disposal to leading house builders. This often prompted legacy and ethical issues which required careful consideration.  
• Drafted suites of construction contracts for UK house-builders on multi-million pound housing schemes including Cotswold Oak (Bloor Homes) and RES Homes. Average value per site is £3m-5.7m.  
• Advised a UK developer in taking options and securing planning consent over greenfield and brownfield sites in the south east of England.  

Our property team supports clients through all stages of a site acquisition, whether for immediate development or longer-term strategic land. With deep commercial insight, we help clients navigate title issues, planning constraints, and environmental risks. We provide end-to-end support on negotiation, due diligence, and structuring, ensuring acquisitions proceed smoothly and align with the wider development and funding strategy. 

• Acted for a developer in the acquisition of a mixed-use site in West London for £20 million.  
• Acted for a developer in the acquisition of a site in Battersea for £14 million from a seller in administration.  
• Acted for a Manchester-based developer in relation to all site acquisition, development, lettings and onward sales of sites.  
• Acted for a multibillion-pound investment fund on the sale of a Luxembourg subsidiary company holding a prominent London development site, advising on the real estate aspects of the deal.  
• Acted for a property developer on the acquisition and finance of a London site for the development of 19 residential units.  
• Acted for Chartway Group Limited on its acquisition of a 63-unit scheme in Ebbsfleet.  
• Acted for Leath Park Developments Limited on the site acquisition, development and onward sale of a 65-bed care home to CARE UK in Whitstable.  
• Acted on the £5 million re-finance of a large London development site, acting for the borrower.  
• Acting for a national house builder with regard to its acquisition of development sites and in relation to a JV at Nine Elms, Battersea (acquisition values £4-10m).  
• Advised a property developer on the negotiation of an option agreement for the acquisition of a Central London development site.  
• Advised on the acquisition from the NHS of a large mixed-use development site in East London with bridging finance. This involved the negotiation of a complex overage agreement.