Next Generation Lawyers

Leading Associates

Commercial property: Hampshire in South East

Paris Smith LLP

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rachel Saint; Stuart Allen


Autres avocats clés:

Joanne Spittles; Hannah Winchester


Les références

‘The practice has significant expertise in virtually all areas of real estate law – a real ‘one stop shop’ for all our legal requirements.’

‘By combining fantastic availability with a commercial outlook and a strong knowledge of property finance and the local market, Paris Smith is second to none in the Southampton area.’

‘The firm have an excellent local presence, in terms of networking, sponsorship and charitable activities, which strengthens their position as a prominent and important part of the local professional community.’

Principaux clients

Castle Trust Capital Plc


InterBay Funding, Ltd


Hobbycraft Trading Limited


Bourne Leisure Limited


Draper Tools Limited


Solent Stevedores Limited


Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited (HSLHL)


Co-operative Group Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised on the sale of Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited, owner of the Utilita Bowl site and Hampshire Cricket, to GMR Global Pte Ltd.
  • Advised InterBay Funding, Ltd. on the £54m refinance of two commercial properties in London.
  • Acting for Hobbycraft regarding their acquisition programme for new stores and dealing with a variety of landlord and tenant work in connection with its existing portfolio of leasehold properties.

Shoosmiths LLP

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Joanne McGuinness


Autres avocats clés:

Mehar Patel; Sara Hampson; Jess Ready; Katrina Spolander


Les références

‘Shoosmiths stands out for its extensive experience and deep understanding of the rail industry. The team has this past year successfully handled complex negotiations and agreements, demonstrating its expertise in navigating the industry’s regulatory framework and its longstanding industry connections.’

‘The team’s ability to secure crucial agreements has delivered significant value to us.’

‘The team is not only capable at their jobs but also friendly and professional, making them a joy to work with.’

Principaux clients

Cavendish Education Group


National Air Traffic Services (NATS) Limited


Roke Manor Limited


Barratt Developments Limited


William Lacey Group Limited


Telefonica UK Limited


Hitachi Rail Limited


The Hamleys Group


Wolverhampton City Council


Thurrock Borough Council


The Estate Office Shoreditch


Almacantar Limited


Marsh Corporate Services Limited


Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited


IKEA Properties Investments Limited


Hitachi Europe Limited


Lifeways Care Group


Civil Nuclear Police Authority


London EV Company Limited


Taylor Wimpey UK Limited


Dukes Education Group


Onecom Limited


Deltroit Asset Management (UK) LLP


MMG Properties Limited


Union Investment GmbH


Dama Retail UK Limited


Grainger (Aldershot) Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Telefonica UK Limited on the management of its retail property portfolio.
  • Acting for a high street lender on a new loan against a 16-acre housing development project for 250 houses.
  • Advising a strategic land promoter in relation to a land promotion agreement with a collaboration of landowners, regarding a site with potential for over 2000 dwellings

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tim Burbidge


Autres avocats clés:

William Akerman; Anthony Alderman; Stephen Baker


Les références

‘Great range of retail clientele enables them to encounter latest lease innovations and changes in the wider market.’

‘A very commercial approach to negotiation and a willingness to assist in the decision making by bringing experiences from other transactions.’

‘Great team with strong solid advice.’

Principaux clients

The Crown Estate


New Look Retailers


Babcock International Group Plc


Associated British Ports


Havant Borough Council


Moorfield Group


Patrizia Property Investment Managers


Akelius


Tristan Capital/Addington Capital


The Automobile Association


CooperVision


CareerBuilder LLC


Go Ape!


Quilter


London Borough of Sutton


Carpetright


Church Commissioners for England


Columbia Threadneedle Property Growth & Income Fund


Carnival plc


Transdev


RATP Dev UK


Hartwell plc


Footlocker


AIG


Ann Summers


RWE


Scottish Power


UK Research and Investment


HBOS Final Salary Pension Scheme / CBRE Investment Management


London Theatre Company


First Alliance Properties


Decathlon


SeAH Wind


Black Sheep Coffee


Frogmore


Freshwater


Citrus


Nic Roach


Harbour Hotels


Caisson io


Modril


Bradford Estates


The Queen’s College, Oxford


Persimmon Homes


Taylor Wimpey


Hampshire County Council


Boxpark


Fareham Borough Council


New Forest District Council


Tower Transit


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Automobile Associated on the relocation of its head office to a newly developed 150,000 square foot modern office building.
  • Advised CBRE Investment Management in connection with the acquisition and leaseback of a recently-built Premier Inn Hotel in Oxford.
  • Advised Associated British Ports in connection with a large strategically important site adjacent to the Port of Southampton.

Blake Morgan LLP

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Oliver Sowton


Autres avocats clés:

Elizabeth Covil; Alison Westbrook


Les références

‘The team at Blake Morgan is efficient and explains matters clearly and succinctly, identifying the risks and opportunities where needed. They are quick to respond to queries and change priorities when required.’

‘I have been impressed with the personal approach received. The team has a wide range of skills to deal with the plethora of a complex and diverse property portfolio.’

‘The team is exceptionally experienced, knowledgeable, and able to grapple with the vital hard-to-notice details.’

Principaux clients

B3 Homes Limited


BAE Systems Plc & BAE group companies


Barker Mill Group of Trusts


Brent Street Properties Limited


Carter Varley Limited


Clydesdale Bank Plc


Cobra Coffee Limited


Corteva Agriscience UK Limited


Costa Limited


Coutts & Co


David Lloyd Leisure


Dover District Council


De La Rue Plc & De La Rue Group companies


FBN Properties LLP


Fitzroy Support


Forelle Estates Limited


Gada Property Investments Limited


Judges Scientific Plc


MSP Capital


Harlequins Football Club


HSBC UK Bank Plc


Inchcape Family Investments Limited


Kerry Group Plc & group companies


Maritime and Coastguard Agency


Medivet Group Limited


MSP Capital


Port of London Authority


Newbie by KappAhl Limited


Notrace Services Limited


Old Change Kee UK Limited


Rivermead Property Developments Limited


Southern Co-operative Limited


Specsavers Optical Stores Limited


The Harris & Sprack Group


The Methodist Church


Welbro FTTM Pension Scheme SSAS 3219


Welbro Project Management Limited


William Hill


University of Winchester


Utilita Energy Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Forelle Estates Limited on the sale of shares in its Falcon Retail Limited subsidiary to Motor Fuel Limited.
  • Acting for The Methodist Church on a complex mix of property transactions in compliance with Methodist Church and Charity legislation.
  • Advising on property asset management and the new store roll-out programme for Specsavers.

Clarke Willmott LLP

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Andrew Cooper


Autres avocats clés:

Joseph Campbell; Nicola Sutton


Les références

‘This team are really proactive in their approach in dealing with legal matters and really clear with the options available to us in order to move a case forward. They are always available and always willing to provide further training and updates for the group on the wider market and this is really valuable.’

‘Clarke Willmott stands out as a forward-thinking, highly collaborative team with an impressive blend of expertise.’

‘The team’s commitment to understanding each client’s unique needs sets them apart, making them a trusted advisor. Their strengths lie not only in their deep knowledge of property law but also in their ability to offer tailored solutions for complex transactions and disputes.’

Principaux clients

Sheet Anchor Evolve Limited


LCP group of companies


Evolve Estates Limited


Lloyds Bank Plc


Handelsbanken Plc


Imperial Homes


Fat Face Limited


New Forest District Council


Cornish Bakery Shops Limited


Yorkshire Building Society


MSP Capital Ltd


Marine Developments Limited


Hartford Care Limited group of companies


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Evolve Estates Limited and Sheet Anchor Evolve Limited on the acquisition of The Bridges Shopping Centre Sunderland providing 595,000 square feet of retail leisure and dining facilities and car parking.
  • Acting on behalf of Cornish Bakery regarding all property legal matters in the continued successful national expansion of the business.
  • Acting for Yorkshire Building Society in respect of the financing of a portfolio of 6 multi-occupied properties across two simultaneous connected loans.

Lester Aldridge LLP

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mark Benham; Suki Samra; Tom Alder


Autres avocats clés:

Bethan Dodd; David Fanchi; Sam Wylie


Les références

‘Great interpersonal skills. Excellent advice delivered in a personal way which avoids legal jargon.’

Principaux clients

Big Yellow


Captiva Homes


Bargate Homes


University of Southampton


Care South


Wyatt Homes


Lloyds Bank plc


McCarthy Stone


Horizon Care & Education Group


Breeze Motor Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Captiva Homes on the sale and delivery of 131 affordable homes on the Isle of Wight.
  • Advised McCarthy Stone on various site acquisitions, including a number of sites allocated for older persons’ shared ownership affordable housing.
  • Advised Big Yellow Group plc on real estate matters relating to its £300m refinance.

Foot Anstey

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Lara Borrett-Lynch


Autres avocats clés:

Carol Phillips; Robert Stangroom


Les références

‘The service is first rate. The team is responsive with a real understanding of the issues involved – always providing sound commercial advice.’

‘Carol Phillips is an outstanding lawyer both in terms of her knowledge of the market and the service she provides. Incisive and commercially astute!’

Principaux clients

Elements Green Trent Ltd


Robert Hitchins Limited


South Gloucestershire & Stroud College


Direct Wines Limited


Summerfield Developments


Scotsgrove Holdings


Bathurst Limited


GPG Developments


Dar Al Arkan Global UK Holdings Limited


Gregory Distribution Limited


Riyad Bank


Blacksand


Space Engine Systems


LiveWest


Baker Estates


Piran Advanced Composites


Kingfisher


Gregory Distribution Limited


Tees Valley Combined Authority


St Austell Brewery


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Direct Wines on the renewal of a number of stores as well as right-size and cessation in relation to less core locations.
  • Advised Bahrain-based investment firm Blacksand on its acquisition of Signature London, The J Marylebone Hotel.
  • Advised South Gloucestershire and Stroud College on the £6.5 million sale of its subsidiary company, which owned the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park, to the Chiltern Vital Group.

Herrington Carmichael LLP

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Liz Hailey


Autres avocats clés:

Tim Hardesty; Rachel Duncan; Claire McSorley


Les références

‘The fact they have a team of diverse expertise is great, giving experts across the various fields of commercial property law.’

‘Extremely fast operators, with a clear focus on our product and any nuances that come with it.’

‘Herrington Carmichael is very professional and has a widely experienced team which delivers on what they say.’

Principaux clients

Grundon Waste Management Limited


Grundon Sand & Gravel Limited


National Westminster Bank Plc


Metro Bank Plc


Kone Plc


Quantum Development Finance Limited


W.H. Brakspear & Sons Limited


Anglesea Capital Limited


Tech Point Group


DMP Healthcare Limited


Kenmore Care Holding Limited


N1 Golf (London) Limited


Svenska Handelsbanken


Mulberry Design & Build Limited


Maddox Homes Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a leading UK-based financial services company as the lender in relation to the £25 million funding of the development of 105 residential dwellings, retail spaces and associated infrastructure works.
  • Acting for a global vehicle rental company on a 25-year letting of a commercial vehicle hub, in a deal worth over £16m.
  • Acted for an industrial and logistics sector client on the £13 million sale of its former HQ site.

Moore Barlow

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Louise Campbell


Autres avocats clés:

Lee Edwards; Julian Parkes


Les références

‘Very professional team with clear client focus. Great at a variety of commercial property matters and the wider Moore Barlow team offers opportunity to pull other specialist expertise in relating to different areas when needed.’

‘Louise Campbell combines strong technical and commercial understanding and expertise to great impact: clear advice and solutions to get matters resolved.’

Phillips Law

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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Clare Strachan; Emma Elkington


Les références

‘They are very commercial, not letting the detail get in the way of getting a deal done for their clients!’

‘Phillips has a good sized team with a wide range of knowledge. Their experience allows them to deal with matters efficiently and promptly.’

‘They are very responsive, observing all deadlines and priorities. They have a good commercial outlook.’

Principaux clients

UK Land Group


Kingscastle Limited


Topaz UK Properties Limited


Boldhurst Properties Limited


Savona Foodservice Limited


Golf Entertainments Property Limited


Pharmahouse Limited


MFP Babylon Limited


Longstock Capital Limited


MFP Babylon Limited


Lasercharm Limited


Kutchenhaus Basingstoke Ltd


Tractorland Limited


Vision RT Limited


Law Debenture PLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising UK Land Group on the acquisition of the entire share capital of Helius Investments Limited and the sale back of 3 freehold properties.
  • Acting for MFP Babylon Limited and Longstock Capital Limited on the grant of two multi-million-pound leases at Plant, Basingstoke to The Automobile Association.
  • Advising international medical technology firm Vision RT Limited on the grant of their multi-million pound new letting at The Crescent, Basingstoke and surrender of their existing lease.

Trethowans LLP

The ‘commercially astute’ team at Trethowans LLP 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.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paul Longman; James Kidner


Autres avocats clés:

Laura Towey


Les références

‘A diverse team of people with a varied skills-base enables them to cover all aspects of property related transactions.’

‘They are commercially astute, with varied and in-depth knowledge of all aspects of the work they undertake.’

‘Responsive to time constraints.’

Principaux clients

Harlequin Homes (Longham) Limited


Burwin Investments Limited


HSBC UK Bank plc