Business occupier
Our expertise is nationwide, handling matters throughout England and Wales for a diverse range of occupiers, from shopping centre tenants to production studios. We provide expert advice to landlords and tenants across all industries and sectors on occupational leases and asset management, with particular expertise in the technology, retail, fashion, entertainment and charity sectors.
We deal with numerous properties in central London, frequently collaborating with the same landlords and their advisors. Over time, we have cultivated strong working relationships and a deep understanding of our clients’ businesses. This enables us to address issues practically and efficiently, thereby minimising costs and disruptions.
Our clients include film and post-production companies, theatres and theatrical agencies, games companies, tech firms, arts organisations, charities, retailers, and luxury brands, as well as various office owners and occupiers. No matter the industry of our client, we tailor our advice to their needs.
We advise on:
• Grant of leases
• Business lease renewal
• Rent review
• Licences to alter/fit out
• Lease assignment and underletting
• Lease surrenders
• Dilapidations
• Specialist advice in relation to theatre buildings, specialist warehouses or other buildings requiring specialist/technical fit out
Property development
With over 30 years of experience, we provide comprehensive advice on the entire lifecycle of development projects, from site acquisition and assembly to planning and infrastructure agreements, professional team appointments and the structuring and execution of disposals.
Our extensive experience spans both commercial and residential development projects of varying scales.
Our clients include privately-owned property companies developing mixed-use schemes across South East England, as well as owners of high-value homes. We also support charities, including educational and arts organisations, in executing capital projects. Our expertise encompasses public procurement regulations and funding requirements from bodies like the Arts Council.
Collaborating with experts in our corporate and tax teams, we offer a comprehensive service to our developer clients.
We advise on:
• Site acquisition and assembly
• Residential, commercial and mixed-use development
• Planning
• Planning agreements
• Development financing
• Professional appointments and construction documentation
• Lettings and landlord and tenant issues
• Disposals of completed developments
Property investment
We advise on all aspects of property investment, from acquisitions and lettings to pre-lettings and the ultimate sale of property assets. We handle all legal aspects of asset management, ensuring that sellers of investment properties are in the best possible position upon sale.
Our investment clients span various sectors nationwide, with particular expertise in retail shops and shopping centres, offices, warehouses, industrial units and residential properties.
Our clients include property companies, investment syndicates and high net worth individuals. Many of our clients invest through special purpose vehicle companies and we are experienced in structuring acquisitions and holdings to optimise tax planning and efficiencies.
We also have particular expertise in advising charities on their property investments, addressing the legal requirements of the Charities Act 2011, consents from the Charity Commission and complex governance issues.
By collaborating with experts in our corporate and tax teams, we provide a comprehensive service to our investment clients.
We advise on:
• Acquisition
• Lettings
• Asset management
• Disposal
• Tax efficient structuring including the use of special purpose vehicle (SPV) companies
• Tax planning
Property litigation
Most businesses and individuals have property interests, whether as investors, owners, landlords or tenants. Property disputes are common and can be highly disruptive. When they occur, it is important to address them practically and pragmatically.
We are mindful of the costs and time involved in litigation, and we aim to resolve issues through negotiation or mediation whenever possible. However, if litigation is necessary, we will act decisively on our client’s behalf.
Our property litigators have extensive experience and close relationships with surveyors, engineers, agents and other experts in the sector. This enables us to provide informed advice from the beginning of any dispute.
We advise on:
• Pre-action advice and dispute resolution services
• Commercial/residential property trial litigation
• Interim injunctions
• Lands Tribunal work
• Licensing
• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Adjudications
• Other forms of ADR