Clients in the hotel, retail, and leisure sectors routinely instruct the ‘incredibly responsive, talented, and knowledgeable‘ team at Muckle LLP on the full range of commercial property mandates, with particular expertise handling major transactions for clients at both the regional and national levels. Acting for banks and other lenders, the group has seen a recent uptick in instructions related to real estate finance, as well as real estate-related joint ventures. The team, led by development and investment transactions expert Jonathan Combe, also includes Will McKay, who attracts praise for his ‘sound commercial advice‘. On the transactional front, key names include Deborah Lazenby, whose broad practice covers investments, property finance issues, and occupier work, and Libbie Henderson, who is a key contact for clients in the land-based energy sector.

The ‘incredibly commercial’ team at Ward Hadaway LLP leverages the firm’s regional network of offices to expertly assist housebuilders, commercial developers, occupiers, and investors with the full range of mandates. Robin Atkin and Lesley Fairclough jointly oversee the practice, which also includes Alex Cox, who handles investment transactions, rural estates work, and property developments. Transactional expert Sophie Bohill advises national and regional housebuilders on site acquisitions, including building leases, joint ventures, and overage issues. Nick Gholkar takes point on commercial development projects and portfolio management, while Lauren Frisby ably assists with development and landowner-focused transactions.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP’s commercial property offering leverages the firm’s national network of offices to handle the full range of contentious and non-contentious real estate mandates. The team is jointly headed by seasoned expert John Ralph and Nigel Emmerson; Ralph heads up the firm’s national real estate offering and has a strong record advising on property finance matters, while Emmerson spearheads the firm’s housing offering. Michael Brown is a key contact for commercial property acquisitions, disposals, and secured lending work for clients in the sector. Also in the core team is Tom Willows, who advises on contracts, development agreements, and joint venture arrangements. Liz Evans and Nicholas Younger ably assist with commercial landlord and tenant work and real estate finance issues, while Emma Garfit specialises in residential investment work.

The ‘excellent‘ commercial property team at Mincoffs Solicitors LLP stands out for its specialisation in residential investment work, a core pillar of work for the team. Ryan Bannon, who acts for developers, occupiers, and investors with particular emphasis on the retail sector, oversees the team. Working alongside him, Malcolm Wood is the key contact for landlord and tenant work as well as portfolio management instructions. The core team also includes Claire Catterson, who is a member of the firm’s residential investment offering, and Leanne Kettlewell, a key name for real estate investment issues.

With particular strength acting for clients in the healthcare sector as well as faith-based organisations, Sintons LLP routinely handles portfolio management, commercial and residential development work, and secured lending mandates for public and private sector clients. The group has a dedicated faith-based sub-practice, spearheaded by Laura Peace, and is regularly instructed to advise churches and dioceses on the full range of commercial property work. Mark Dobbin oversees the wider team and takes point on portfolio management instructions, while Alok Loomba leads on strategic transactions and real estate finance work. Tom Wills is a key contact for rural business and agriculture work, while the ‘standout’ Charlotte Johnston is also recommended.

With a strong foothold in the public sector, DAC Beachcroft LLP advises governmental entities, local authorities, and operators in the healthcare and education sectors on the full spectrum of commercial property mandates. Led by Nicola Fairbairn, whose broad practice has a particular emphasis on land and building developments, the team also includes new arrival Victoria Armstrong, who joined from Sintons LLP in September 2023 and is a key contact for clients in the healthcare sector. The group is ably supported by Will Haigh and Alex Wilkins, who handle residential developments and transactional mandates, respectively.

Nicola Tiffen  leads the commercial property offering at Hay & Kilner, which works in close collaboration with the firm’s commercial and corporate teams to handle all property aspects of corporate acquisitions and dispositions of business interests, as well as assisting with restructurings and insolvency matters. Tiffen is a seasoned property expert with notable experience acting for clients in the care home sector. She works alongside John Morgan, hailed for his ‘breadth of knowledge and depth of experience,’ who advises owner-managed businesses on property finance and investment issues. Also in the core team is Jonathan Bone, who takes point on portfolio management and development mandates.

Clients in the utilities and hospitality sectors regularly instruct the commercial property team at Weightmans on the full range of issues, including freehold and leasehold acquisitions, land transfers, estate management work, and owner consents. David Tabinor heads up the practice and takes point on property transactions and estate management issues. Tabinor works alongside Nicole Tanfield, who specialises in real estate finance work for housing and utilities clients, and Daniel Baker, who is a key contact for clients in the energy sector.