The commercial property and planning department at Paris Smith LLP is regularly entrusted by major domestic developers, investors, lenders, landlords, and tenants. The practice’s joint heads provide a wealth and breadth of experience: Rachel Saint regularly assists property investors and asset managers on corporate- and property-level acquisitions and disposals, particularly in the retail and leisure sectors, while Stuart Allen is a key contact among banks and private lenders for asset and portfolio security packages and financings. Noted for her ‘good, prompt, and efficient advice’, Joanne Spittles offers expertise in development, promotion agreements, and acquisitions and disposals. Hannah Winchester is a key contact among notable national retailers concerning landlord and tenant work, site and asset acquisitions, and portfolio management.

Standing out for its ‘extensive experience and deep understanding’ across industry segments, the real estate practice at Shoosmiths LLP is highly sought-after among leading domestic and multinational clients. Owing to her regulatory and commercial expertise, particularly in the rail and industrial spaces, team head Joanne McGuinness is regularly entrusted on large-scale portfolio management, acquisitions, and disposals. Specialising in residential and mixed-use assets, Sara Hampson acts for leading developers and promotors on promotion agreements and contracts for the purchase of sites. Mehar Patel  brings a property finance, investment, and development focus, counting leading multinational banks and investment firms among his clients. A specialist in the office and infrastructure spaces, Jess Ready leads in negotiating high-value lease agreements.

The real estate department at Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is headed by Tim Burbidge, who advises major developers and occupiers on development and option agreements, particularly in the residential space. A specialist in investment and development work, William Akerman assists on the acquisition, development, and management of property and site assets, with a focus in the marine sector. Offering standout expertise in the marine and energy segments, Anthony Alderman  is entrusted by major domestic property, power, and engineering companies on site leases, acquisitions, and disposals. A sought-after advisor to leading investment managers and corporate occupiers, Stephen Baker leads on the acquisition and disposal of leisure and industrial assets.

The ‘exceptionally experienced and knowledgeable’ property services group at Blake Morgan LLP stands out for the breadth of its transactional, development, and asset management expertise. Practice head Oliver Sowton is an expert on the sale, purchase, and management of housing, rural estates, and retail assets, counting leading local and multinational companies among his clients. Offering ‘clear technical knowledge and expertise’, Elizabeth Covil advises occupiers on the acquisition, development, and disposal of retail sites. Standing out for her ‘wisdom, knowledge and experience’, Alison Westbrook assists in due diligence concerning property acquisitions, disposals, and finance.

The commercial property team at Clarke Willmott LLP is noted for its ‘deep knowledge’ and ‘tailored solutions’ within complex and business-critical matters, particularly in the investment, retail, and property finance spaces. Andrew Cooper  leads the practice, serving as an expert advisor to property investment and management companies on the acquisition and disposal of retail, leisure, health, and mixed-use assets. Alongside a strong practice in landlord and tenant matters and lease renewals, Joseph Campbell brings a wealth of experience advising major domestic lenders on the financing and refinancing of commercial property.

Lester Aldridge LLP boasts a deep bench of commercial property specialists, led regionally by Mark Benham, Suki Samra, and Tom Alder. David Fanchi acts for property owners and lenders on the acquisition, sale, and financing of housing, industrial assets, and commercial investment property. Health and care sector specialist Bethan Dodd and commercial unit expert James Realff are key contacts, while Sam Wylie and Rebecca Humm are highly sought-after among regional developers on the acquisition, management, and sale of development land.

The real estate team at Foot Anstey is acclaimed for its ‘sound commercial advice’ in the residential, retail, and industrial sectors. Possessing a deep knowledge of occupational and retail leases as well as telecommunications infrastructure, Carol Phillips is ‘incisive and commercially astute’, serving as a key contact among leading retailers. Acting for major domestic lenders and borrowers, Robert Stangroom  is highly sought-after on finance mandates. An expert on residential development, Lara Borrett-Lynch heads the affordable housing, developer, and transactional property teams. Tim Wheen left the firm in January 2025.

The ‘extremely cooperative and commercially minded’ real estate department at Herrington Carmichael LLP boasts a deep bench across a breadth of commercial property matters. Offering clients an ‘informative and detailed’ perspective on complex development and finance matters, Liz Hailey heads the team and is regularly instructed by lenders, owners, and occupiers. Rachel Duncan brings longstanding expertise regarding the acquisition, letting, and disposal of investment property. On residential development matters, Tim Hardesty and Claire McSorley are key contacts.

The ‘very professional’ real estate practice at Moore Barlow demonstrates a ‘clear client focus’, serving as a key contact on transactions across industry segments. Louise Campbell, who ‘combines strong technical and commercial understanding and expertise’, leads the commercial property team and is regularly entrusted by corporate and private clients on property acquisitions and disposals as well as landlord and tenant matters. An expert in the acquisition, management, and disposal of industrial, rural, and leisure assets, Julian Parkes is a further key contact.

Demonstrating a ‘wide range of knowledge’ and ‘high experience’, the commercial property practice at Phillips Law offers significant expertise in residential, retail, and leisure sector deals. A key contact on ‘complex issues’, Clare Strachan is entrusted by notable regional landlords and occupiers on site acquisitions, disposals, and lettings. Known for her ‘timely, commercial manner’, Emma Elkington demonstrates expertise in retail property transactions and residential development agreements.

The ‘commercially astute’ team at Trethowans LLP (part of Lawfront) stands out for its ‘in-depth knowledge’, particularly in the residential development space. Paul Longman heads the commercial property group nationally and is a key contact on transactional, development, and landlord and tenant matters concerning residential, retail, and office assets. James Kidner helms the Bournemouth-based commercial property team and acts for landowners and developers on the negotiation of promotion agreements. Laura Towey specialises in residential land development, while Akbar Shah is an expert on lease and lending matters.