Praised by clients as ‘experts in the field’, Birkett Long LLP‘s Colchester-based real estate department is equipped to handle an array of commercial real estate work, including acquisitions, site set-ups, plot sales and financing issues, with established expertise in the healthcare, environment and education sectors. Group head Emma Wraight is well versed in strategic land matters, such as option and overage agreements, acquisitions and dispositions, and acts for major banks in securing charges.‘Stand-out partner’ Melanie Bache has a track record in complex and high-value work, acting for some of the firm’s leading clients, while Sian Taylor is noted for her specialist knowledge of landlord and tenant matters.

Praised by clients for its ‘competence and efficiency’, Birketts LLP’s commercial property team in Chelmsford is engaged by a range of high-profile clients, including developers, investors, and national and international corporates. The department is especially recommended for advice on development, portfolio management and high-value landlord and tenant matters. Group head Grace Kerr is a member of the team’s dedicated strategic land practice, and is well versed in  landowner and option agreements, as well as contracts conditional to planning consent. Steven Kay heads up the firm’s dedicated housebuilder sector team, and is experienced in acting for major national housebuilders, and Hannah Harbottle is the key name at senior associate level.

With a particular expertise in development matters, Ellisons Solicitors‘ commercial property team is primarily based in Colchester, and is sought out by regional, national, and international clients for advice on the whole array of commercial property matters. The firm further expanded its offering with niche knowledge from the dedicated Islamic finance team, which is headed up by Antony Mao. Ross Wiltshire and Guy Longhurst are leading the overall department, with Wishire excelling in development and secured lending transactions, and Longhurst’s practice including advising on the acquisition and disposal of development sites and investment properties. Philip Roberts covers investment sites, property portfolios, and development and leasing matters.

With offices in Brentwood, Saffron Walden and Chelmsford, Tees Law’s commercial property department is led by Aaron Cane, and praised by clients for its ‘exceptional support’. Caine is reputed for his knowledge of property development, development finance, and complex transactional work. The ‘very knowledgeable’ Jane Winfield heads up the Brentwood team, and is recommended for landlord and tenant work, and commercial transactions including investment finance issues. Daniel Fairs’ practice includes handling commercial conveyancing work, property finance matters and transactions, while Lucy Beck handles asset site acquisitions and disposals, strategic land developments and secured lending matters.

Noted by clients for its ‘wide-ranging skill set’, Holmes & Hills‘ commercial property department is especially knowledgeable in land and development matters. Exemplifying this in particular is head Rebecca Mason in Marks Tey, who is sought out by investors, landowners, developers, land promoters, and business owners for her expertise in this area of work. Philippa Jerram is noted for handling acquisitions and disposals, as well as commercial landlord and tenant and other commercial matters. Notable hires in 2022 include Chris Milner from Birketts LLP and George French from Tees Law.

Palmers‘ commercial property department in Basildon has well-established experience in matters related to the sale, purchase, and lease of commercial properties. The team is jointly led by transactional expert Elena Nicolaou, and ‘superb’ supervising director Carey Jacobs, whose focus includes property taxation and insolvency work. Maisie Yau’s practice extends to all aspects of non-contentious construction projects, such as building contracts, insurance issues, collateral warranties and third-party rights.

Based in Colchester, Thompson Smith and Puxon’s commercial property team is well known for its high level of experience in the agricultural sector. Team head and ‘five-star solicitor’ Stephen Firmin covers acquisitions and disposals, and development, diversification and renewable energy projects, while Kerry Addison focuses on advising developers, affordable housing providers, farmers and landowners on a range of rural property matters. Mark Rowlands is praised by clients for his ‘impressive ability to come up with workable solutions to complicated issues‘.

Non-contentious transactional work, such as property investment, acquisition, disposal and development matters, are at the heart of Aquabridge‘s commercial property practice in Chelmsford. The team is led by the ‘highly capable’ Kieran Lowe, who has particular experience in overseeing high-value transactions for owner-managed businesses. Priyanka Kamal advises landlords and tenants on leasehold transactions, and is also equipped to handle sale, purchase, investment and development matters.

Jefferies Essex LLP’s property department in Southend-on-Sea covers the whole cycle of property transactions, including development, acquisition and sale mandates. The team is led by Mark Hidveghy, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the property sector, and has led numerous multi-million-pound transactions. Amelia Hayes is praised by clients for her ‘exceptional guidance’, and Katrina Holland left the team in July 2022 to Allington Hughes Solicitors.

Mullis & Peake LLP‘s Romford-based commercial property team is known for its expert advice on the acquisition and disposal of development sites, as well as commercial landlord and tenant matters. Joanne Wood leads both the residential and commercial property departments, and provides support to the firm’s largest clients, while Sophie Williamson handles the renewal of leases and grant of licenses for landlord clients. Andrew Fidler is recommended for complex commercial land transactions.

Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP ‘s commercial property team acts for individuals, businesses and financial institutions on a broad spectrum of property transactions, including acquisitions and sales, tenancy agreements and leases, as well as option and investment agreements. Mark Deans leads the team in Billericay, and is well versed in high-value commercial leases, sales and purchases of freehold investment properties, and commercial loans. The team in Southend-on-Sea is headed up by Wendy Cole, who specialises in site acquisitions through various mechanisms, such as unconditional and conditional purchases and option agreements.

With significant experience in handling issues relating to properties held in pension funds, as well as complex land transactions, Pinney Talfourd LLP‘s commercial property team is also well versed in advising on offshore transactions with jurisdictional requirements. The department is led by Julien Pritchard in Brentwood, who regularly acts for landowners who are approached by developers to sell their land.