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.
Commercial property: Essex in South East
Birkett Long LLP
Praxisleiter:
Emma Wraight
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Melanie Bache; Hayley Goldstone; Sian Taylor; Justin Stock; Peter Allan
Referenzen
‘They are experts in their field. They are able to work closely and expeditiously with other teams in the firm (e.g. insolvency and litigation) to provide detailed solutions to complex property situations.’
‘Emma Wraight is a superb solicitor, who has a deep knowledge and understanding of commercial property matters and has been able to assist on some complex insolvency scenarios.’
‘Highly proficient in a range of sectors.’
Kernmandanten
Healthcare Homes Group Limited
Colchester Institute Corporation
Direct Commercial Limited
Evelyn Court (Deptford) LLP
Kent Blaxill & Co Limited
Kent Blaxill Properties Limited
Southdowns Village Limited
St Olav’s Court Ltd
St Helena Hospice
Triolo Commercial Holdings Limited
Institute of Customer Service
Paton & Lee Ltd
BEW Electrical Distributors Limited
T Rippon & Sons (Holdings) Limited
T Rippon Estates Limited
Stubbings Investment Holdings Limited
Stubbings Land Development Limited
Stubbings Food & Beverage Holdings Limited
Cliffords Limited
Stonechart Property Limited
Carter Backer Winter
Melia Rowe Developments
Essex Radiators Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Advised group Project Etopia UK Limited and subsidiaries on various acquisitions of development land, including financing and refinancing, s278 agreements, Deeds of Grant, s106, UU’s, site set ups, Homes New England Finance Agreement, Transfers of substations, sales of sites, and Deeds of Easements.
- Advised Carter Backer Winter LLP on the assignment of 141 properties for a charity in administration.
- Advised Colchester Institute on Deeds of Surrender and new 40-year leases of theatre buildings from Colchester Borough Council.
Birketts LLP
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.
Praxisleiter:
Grace Kerr; Steven Kay
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Duncan Williamson; David Springett; Johanna Cope; Matthew Grindley; Hannah Harbottle; Adele Dean
Referenzen
‘Competence and efficiency.’
‘The team is very experienced across the commercial property arena. Grace Kerr is that stand-out partner’.
‘The team exceed expectations at all points of contact.’
Kernmandanten
Riduna Holdings Limited
Breyer Group Limited
HBC Limited
Gates Group Limited
Kefco Sales Limited
Ernest Doe & Sons Limited
Scenesafe Holdings Limited
St Katherine Group Limited
Commodity Centre UK Limited
Harlow Council
Ellisons Solicitors
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.
Praxisleiter:
Ross Wiltshire; Guy Longhurst
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Andrew Fernandes; Antony Mao; Philip Roberts; Susan Ryan; Bethan Williams
Referenzen
‘Philip Roberts is an excellent solicitor, prompt, professional and attentive – 5 stars.’
‘They have been very effective at not leaving any matters to fall through the cracks.’
‘They were immediately responsive to my initial enquiry, Ross Wiltshire in particular gave me a lot of time to understand my needs.’
Highlight-Mandate
- Assisted Hobbs Estates Limited with obtaining planning permissions for two new developments on its Earls Colne Business Park, to include the constructions of a new Grade A rural office business centre (approx. 35,000 sq. ft) in Earls Colne, Essex.
- Advised Backyard Cinema Ltd in relation to a Licence to Operate a Cinema for the launch of its new site at Depot Mayfield, Baring Street, Manchester.
Tees Law
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.
Praxisleiter:
Aaron Cane
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Graeme Atkinson; Lucy Beck; James Dowson; Daniel Fairs; Jane Winfield
Referenzen
‘Knowledgeable, reliable, very straightforward to do business with.’
‘Jane Winfield is very knowledgeable, and highly professional. She has been an absolute asset in negotiating a new commercial lease.’
‘Tees are an outstanding law firm.’
Kernmandanten
R.V.L. Properties Limited
William Thompson Homes Limited
Magri Developments Limited
Snowbird Property Limited
Fairacres Group Limited
Chappell Estates Limited
Earl Estates Limited
Highlight-Mandate
- Acting for Fairacres Group Limited across its portfolio, including a prominent industrial estate in Chelmsford and, in particular, the extensive and lengthy work in connection with the sale of a boutique hotel in Newmarket.
- Acting for Snowbird Property Limited in connection with its significant industrial estate property portfolio including acting on various new leases, licence for alterations, lease renewals and tenancies at will.
- Acting for Florey Properties Limited in connection with the sale of an industrial estate subject to commercial leases and with adjoining residential flats, preparing an extensive and detailed data room and planning, title, property and search enquiries.
Holmes & Hills
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.
Praxisleiter:
Rebecca Mason
Weitere Kernanwälte:
George French; Phillipa Jerram; Chris Milner
Referenzen
‘The firm covers all aspects relating to commercial property under one roof. The firm is always up to date on recent case law developments and is very approachable.’
‘Philippa Jerram has an excellent commercial understanding and detailed legal knowledge. We are kept regularly updated on progress.’
‘I have the utmost confidence in their handling of my businesses.’
Kernmandanten
Abbeyfield Braintree Bocking & Felsted Society Ltd
ALS Labs Ltd
Blue Square Homes Ltd
Chelmsford Cars and Commercial
E J Taylor & Sons Ltd
Lawrence and Wolfe Families
Mattar Estates AS – Geneva
Mersea Homes Ltd
Montare LLP
Rose Builders Properties Ltd
Wilkin & Son Ltd
Oakland Country Homes Limited
Global Park Estates
Privo Developments Limited
Charles Tabor
DCP Developments
D. Mason Developments
Westward Look
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising a client on a complex and high-value option agreement, including overcoming issues relating to the reserved right to mine minerals, overage and dealing with multiple solicitors.
- Acted for Montare LLP in connection with the purchase and development finance of a site in New Hall with a potential developed value of £4.9m.
- Advising a landowner with 7 acres of land on the best way to structure the transaction to ensure profits were maximised.
Palmers
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.
Praxisleiter:
Elena Nicolaou; Carey Jacobs
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Maisie Yau
Referenzen
‘The members involved in our case worked as a team. I often experience that seamless progress is made even when team members are away.’
‘Each individual works well, and response to queries are dealt with timely. Advice is given proactively.’
‘Maisie Yau is very personable and listens to what our needs are, we have confidence in her.’
Thompson Smith and Puxon
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‘.
Praxisleiter:
Stephen Firmin
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Kerry Addison; Mark Rowlands
Referenzen
‘An all-round team, willing and able to provide answers to tricky issues very quickly and explain them simply. I would always recommend them. A lovely firm with a very personal touch.’
‘Kerry Addison has always been able to provide sound and good advice. I would always recommend any clients who have particular estate and property issues to see them and discuss the issues they have as I know they would be well advised.’
‘Stephen Firmin is an excellent solicitor – prompt, professional and reliable – 5 stars.’
Aquabridge
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.
Praxisleiter:
Kieran Lowe
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Priyanka Kamal; Amy Legg
Referenzen
‘The team has always responded to our needs in a positive manner, being able to fully understand the nature of our requirements quickly and able to offer suitable advice, aligned with our risk appetite.’
‘Kieran Lowe is professional and highly capable in not only highlighting legal issues, but also showing an in-depth knowledge of our business and the potential impact of the legal issues on the business.’
‘Prompt and practical advice and support.’
Jefferies Essex LLP
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.
Praxisleiter:
Mark Hidveghy
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Amelia Hayes
Referenzen
‘They have been exceptional in helping each time, solving the cases satisfactorily for us, never been let down and always guided properly. They are a unique solicitor firm.’
‘Amelia Hayes’ guidance and understanding to deal with our each & every case is not just swift but always uncompromising. Her guidance is exceptional. With Amelia dealing with our case, we always feel that we are in the safest hands.’
‘Jefferies is very good at building long-term working relationships, and are able to assist with any problem.’
Mullis & Peake LLP
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.
Praxisleiter:
Joanne Wood
Weitere Kernanwälte:
Andrew Fidler; Sophie Williamson
Referenzen
‘We have found Mullis and Peake extremely personable and accessible for all our needs. This has been at an extremely professional level and without any “air of superiority”, allowing us to feel comfortable in discussing issues and raising ideas for solutions and therefore engaging, so that we fully understand what we are legally responsible for.’
‘We are 100% comfortable with Sophie Williamson’s competence and confident, she is always very pleasant to deal with but also firm in her advice.’
Kernmandanten
Unisystems Freight (UK) Limited
Gurdev Channa of Britannia Pharmacy
Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP
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.
Praxisleiter:
Mark Deans; Wendy Cole
Referenzen
‘Fast and efficient – good communication.’
‘Mark Deans is super efficient.’
Pinney Talfourd LLP
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.
Praxisleiter:
Julien Pritchard
Referenzen
‘Pinney Talfourd has an excellent balance of size and efficiency. Staff and partners collaborate well across service lines, and provide the service I am looking for.’
‘Julien Pritchard is excellent in both the quality, and speed of his work. He offers practical and considered advice, but is not afraid to point out the difficulties, issues and risks associated with situations and decisions that need to be made. Overall, a pleasure to deal with.’
‘The outstanding service is underpinned by the responsive service provided by the team.’
Kernmandanten
Keech Hospice Care
Textile Reuse & International Development Limited
Berwen Limited
Connells Group
Highlight-Mandate
- Advising on the grant of a new lease and reversionary leases over commercial office space in central London with a rent exceeding £800,000 per annum.
- Concluding a long running development deal which saw a client completing on a sale which grossed in excess of £6m for the seller.
- Making an application to register land on the basis of ancient possession, the land having been vested in the client by the Enclosure Act 1859.