Acting for investors, landlords, and clients in the renewable energy sector, the team at Burnetts excels across the full range of commercial property work, with particular strength in advising on portfolio management, property transactions, and estate development work. The ‘extremely knowledgeable and conscientious’ Helen Hayward co-heads the Cumbria-based team alongside Robbie Mather; Hayward has a notable emphasis on landlord and tenant work, as well as retail leases, while Mather is the key contact for residential development work, acting for both developments and landowners. Rebecca Dawson, who joined the firm from Jacksons Law Firm in April 2023, handles private sector developments, planning issues, and development funding matters. Also in the core team is Rebecca Davidson, who has a broad commercial property practice and regularly assists on landlord and tenant matters.

The Stockton-on-Tees-based commercial property team at Endeavour Partnership LLP handles the full range of instructions, acting for local authorities, landlords and developers, both in the region and at a national level. Redevelopments, property refinancings, and portfolio management matters form core pillars of work for the team. Under the leadership of agriculture and estates expert Jamie Brown, clients hail the group for having ‘highly competent lawyers with good technical skills’. Natalie Kay leads on development and planning instructions. Also in the core team is Emma Loughran, who assists with public sector and landlord and tenant work; Alexandra Ketchley is another name here.

The growing commercial property team at Swinburne Maddison LLP, based in Durham, has notable experience advising on both residential and commercial developments. Acting for tenants and landowners, religious entities, and developers, the group also adeptly advises on property transactions, portfolio management work, commercial leases, and landlord and tenant matters. Practice head Victoria Walton leads on property-related commercial mandates, including site acquisitions and inter-developer agreements; she also has particular expertise in social housing matters. Gillian Moir is another key name for acquisitions and refinancings, as well as corporate support instructions, while Kate Stephenson is the name to note for developer clients and landlords seeking advice relating to commercial property portfolio management.

Commercial development specialist Adam Wood heads up the Darlington-based commercial property offering at Latimer Hinks Solicitors, which stands out for its strength across agricultural and landed estates issues. Advice relating to commercial and residential developments, instructions by national housebuilders, and land sales relating to larger redevelopments form other core pillars of work for the ‘excellent‘ team. Wood works alongside Hayley Gilbert, who is recommended for landowner development work, and Jonathan Sturgeon, who assists with the property aspects of corporate transactions.

The agriculture and commercial property team at BHP Law is routinely instructed by developers, local authorities, and agribusiness clients on transactional, leasehold and land development matters. Based in Darlington, the group is now jointly headed up by Natalie Bell and seasoned rural estate and agriculture expert Peter Blackett; Bell takes point on commercial property transactions, including acquisitions and refinancings. Also in the core team is Ian Barker, whose practice has a notable emphasis on land development and leasehold work, including wayleaves and easement instructions.

EMG Solicitors‘ commercial property team acts for commercial landlords, insolvency practitioners, and developers, and advises on property investments and refinancings, property transactions, and lease agreements. Recently, the ‘pro-active and very helpful‘ team has seen an increase in instructions from developers in relation to plot purchases and granting options for planning permissions. Gwen Jones heads the team and splits her time between Newcastle and Durham; she has a broad commercial property practice acting for landowners, retailers, and financial institutions on the full range of relevant issues.