The team at A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP acts for international property funds on the whole range of commercial property advice in Northern Ireland, including acquiring, managing, financing, and property investments. Heading the department of real estate team, Gregory Martin is a key point of contact for London based and international funds, such as NewRiver REIT and La Salle Investment Management. Tracey Schofield is strongly experienced in advising on acquiring and selling student accommodations and hotels. James Pringle and John Tougher regularly act on a wide variety of real estate acquisitions, including healthcare facilities and offices.

The Carson McDowell real estate team offers high value transactions for a wide range of clients, including landlords and those in retail, energy and education. The team is particularly well regarded for advising on large development agreements. The ‘exceptional’ Dawson McConkey leads the practice and serves as a key contact for clients in the renewable energy sector. Emma Cooper also holds a strong reputation in the energy sector, and often advises landowners and funds on property acquisitions. Richard Dickson assists clients in acquiring and financing private homes. Mary-Kim Doherty is well-experienced in completing site assembly and disposal mandates for both landlords and tenants.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s strong presence in the local real estate market is reflected through mandates which it often receives from London and international firms to act as Northern Ireland counsel in multi-jurisdictional transactions, a notable example includes the recent acquisition of over two hundred KFC-branded restaurants, which were operated by the EG Group. Joe Marley heads the practice, and regularly acts for a wide range of clients, including those in the healthcare, retail, and leisure industries. Kathryn Collie continues to advise Dalradian Gold Limited on acquisitions of land for its gold mine project. Patrick O'Hanlon is well regarded for his work in supporting housing associations in property securitisations.

The ‘fantastic’ Tughans real estate team is a market leader in commercial real estate. The practice was appointed as lead development partner by the Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company for the Weavers Cross regeneration project, a complex infrastructure project, surrounding Belfast Grand Central station. David Jones leads the team. The 'extremely personable' Chris Milligan leads on complex development matters, such as the Weavers Cross mandate. Rebecca Moffett is a well-trusted advisor for clients in the retail sector, while Joe Moore regularly advises insolvency practitioners regarding distressed property. At the associate level, James Mulligan is a key name to note.

Arthur Cox Belfast regularly acts for clients in the banking, energy and healthcare, among other sectors. Some of the firm’s most well-known clients include Barclay’s Bank, Citibank, and the Crown Estate. Alastair Todd leads the team and holds a particular focus on the renewable energy and social housing sectors. Mark Jameson is a key point of contact for retail and leisure industry clients. Kathryn Forde is active in advising financial institutions that regularly lend to the social housing sector. At the associate level, David Greatorex and Ceardha Morgan provide strong support to the practice in drafting various lease agreements for the recreational sector.

DWF Belfast’s real estate team acts for a wide range of clients on large transactions, such as the sale of shopping centres and hotels, and the development and redevelopment of retail buildings. Julie Galbraith leads the practice; she specialises in the retail, food, and hospitality sectors. Kirsty Mairs, holding ‘exceptional knowledge and experience of the real estate market’, is well experienced in agreements for land acquisition and site assembly for development and redevelopment. Both Mark Tinman and Mark Blair are experts in advising on commercial and residential development agreements.

Eversheds Sutherland Belfast, supported by the firm’s wider network, is able to act for large UK wide and international clients on real estate financial transactions. Gareth Planck heads the practice. Planck often advises on investment transactions and commercial development matters in the retail, office, and housing sectors. The ‘extremely proactive and determined’ senior associate Corrina Cassidy specialises in development and commercial leasing, while Stephan Mullan is adept at asset management in the retail and office industries. Mullan joined the firm in January 2023 from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

The Millar McCall Wylie LLP commercial property team holds ‘a very proactive and commercial view on client matters’. Peter McCall heads the practice and is experienced in a wide range of complex property acquisitions, including shopping centres and retail parks. The ‘very commercially minded’ Simon Fleming is a key contact for retailers, investors, and developers. Associate Neil McCreadie often acts for developers concerning acquisition of sites for development. Associate Luke Thompson joined the firm from DWF in April 2023, and Chris Phillips joined from Carson McDowell in 2024.

Mills Selig acts for a variety of acquisitions or developers, landowners, and funders. Anne Skeggs leads the team and specialises in acting on acquisitions for investors and sales of property for landlords and insolvency administrators. Anna-Marie McAlinden leads the climate and energy team, and regularly acts on the acquisition and refinancing of energy infrastructure, such as wind farms. Senior associate Nick Nolan acts for clients in a wide range of sectors, including retail, hospitality, and telecommunications.

Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP regularly collaborates with the firm’s offices across the UK to provide domestic and international clients with commercial property advice across the UK. Andrea McIlroy-Rose and Joanna Robinson lead the practice. Mcllroy-Rose is experienced in advising retailers in relation to their stores in both Northern Ireland and England, while Robinson focuses on property development and investment work. At the associate level, Leanne McKeown regularly supports the practice of property acquisitions across the UK.

The TLT real estate team provides ‘professional and helpful legal advice’ in a wide range of areas, with a particular focus on residential development, renewable energy, and high street retail. Judith Hewitson leads the team and regularly acts for retailers in acquiring stores and offices. Kevin Murphy has strong experience in the energy and natural resources sector, often advising on the acquisition and disposal of infrastructure, including wind farms, battery storage projects, and solar batteries. Associate Mary-Jane Byrne supports the practice on various matters, including counselling landlords on ongoing management of their properties.

The ‘very experienced and knowledgeable’ commercial property team at Davidson McDonnell regularly acts on various mandates for property investors and owners across both Northern Ireland, and England and Wales. Ross Davidson and David McDonnell lead the team. Davidson brings ‘good, tailored advice which reflects both the commercial and legal challenges’, and supports real estate clients with required dispute resolution and commercial counsel. Michaela Kilpatrick regularly acts on property sales for investors.

The ‘fantastic’ Wilson Nesbitt real estate team focuses on acting for developer and real estate financiers. Drew Nesbitt leads the team, often acting for housing associations on acquisitions and transaction structuring. Max Nesbitt, head of the corporate team, often provides clients with support regarding design and build transactions.

Worthingtons provides retailers and investment funds with numerous advice regarding lease negotiations and acquisitions. Graham Pierce leads the practice. Pierce has over thirty years of experience in property-related transactions and acts as a key contact for UK retailers in Northern Ireland.