Described as a ‘strong team with excellent leadership‘, Brachers, based in Maidstone, has a broad commercial property practice offering clients sector-driven expertise. The team is led by Sarah Gaines who spearheads work in the agriculture and charity sectors, as well as a variety of high-value projects. She is supported by Ash Jilani, ‘an excellent real estate lawyer‘ specialising in primary healthcare property and infrastructure, regularly advising GPs on new developments and acquisitions of practices. Bill Butler heads up the firm’s education sector group, advising on issues including disposals, redevelopments, and conversions. Helen Stonham acts for a range of corporate clients in the private sector, as well as several charities.

Fielding a ‘broad disciplined team of individuals who are always trying to do the best for the client‘, Cripps’ commercial property practice provides planning, development, construction and dispute resolution assistance, advising clients on the full gamut of matters. The practice is led by Stephen Hedley who has extensive experience advising investors and property companies on development projects, investments, portfolio management issues, and landlord and tenant matters. The firm’s recent merger with Horsham-based PDT Solicitors has bolstered the practice with several new arrivals, including James Clewlow, described as ‘extremely diligent and fun to work with‘, who specialises in real estate developments, acting on behalf of housebuilders.

With ‘strength in depth‘, the team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is praised as ‘a group of very talented, dedicated and personable professionals that are invested in understanding the client’s business’. Practice head, Mike Busby is regarded for his experience across the real estate spectrum, specialising in developments, sub-sales, asset transactions and portfolio refinancings. The team has developed expertise advising industrial landowners, developers and investors, and has a breadth of sector experience spanning the leisure, retail and adult social care industries. Sam Davies, who was recently promoted to partner, is noted for his involvement in larger-scale site acquisitions and disposals, while Sarah Jordan has specialist experience in conditional lease agreements and complex land purchases and sub-sales.

The ‘knowledgeable and experienced‘ team at Stevens & Bolton LLP, which is based in Guildford, is led by Andrew Steele, who is described as a ‘pleasure to work with‘. The practice advises an impressive roster of clients, including developers, investors, funders and corporate occupiers, across key areas of work including acquisitions, disposals, developments, funding issues and lettings, with particular experience in the retail, industrial, logistics, education and primary healthcare sectors. Alex Watt is recommended for his ‘extensive knowledge of property law‘ with experience in development and regeneration work, including option, promotion and overage arrangements. Andrew Edwards recently joined the firm from DWF, bringing a wealth of transactional real estate experience. Joanne Purnell is well regarded for her leasehold, development and finance experience.

Based in Tunbridge Wells, Thomson Snell & Passmore is well-regarded for its capabilities across property finance matters, working closely with the construction team and the banking and finance resources within the firm, and handling residential development with a focus on mid-sized house builders and landowners. The firm is also active in corporate projects, assisting and advising on the real estate aspects of M&A transactions. The practice is led by Richard Ellard, who deals with property finance, development and property management issues. Sarah Easton has developed a wealth of experience in long-term promotion agreements, joint ventures and finance arrangements, while Joanne Wright is active in portfolio asset management work, dealing with investment acquisitions and disposals. Katherine Morgan recently joined the firm, and Nicole Priestley specialises in property finance mandates, working with a number of institutional lenders on development and bridging loan facilities.

The ‘knowledgeable and responsive team‘ at DMH Stallard LLP is headed up by Tina George, based in Gatwick. With evolving specialisms in commercial landlord and tenant work, acquisitions and disposals, and secured lending matters, the firm has expansive breadth of expertise. The firm also possesses a dedicated development team, led by Nick Pentecost, acting for property developers on the entire development cycle, with a focus on buying and selling land. Ben Price is another key name to note, along with Anne Milne, for their commercial real estate practice in Gatwick, supporting lenders, owners and occupiers on the full spectrum of non-contentious commercial property issues, with particular expertise advising lenders.

Led by Guy Sackett, the team at Irwin Mitchell in Crawley offers a ‘very personal and quick service’. The firm advises a range of clients including development companies and landowners on a mixture of regeneration, residential and industrial sites. Sam Knight in Chichester is a go-to contact for his biodiversity net gain and nutrient neutrality practice, advising on the creation of schemes for both landowners and developers. Also in Chichester, Tina Webster regularly advises on strategic development agreements regarding large green field estates, while Hannah Nix in Crawley is a key name noted for her experience in sales and acquisitions, landlord and tenant work and secured lending matters.

Moore Barlow‘s commercial property team regularly acts for clients across the leisure, retail and hospitality industries. Areas of focus for the firm include acquisitions, disposals, and landlord and tenant work as well as property management and secured lending work on behalf of established lenders. Described as ‘efficient and personable, with a wide range of expertise‘ the practice is led by Jo Farr in Guildford and Helen Archibald in Woking, and fields specialised land development, plot sales, rural, and leasehold enfranchisement teams.

Bennett Griffin LLP advises a range of clients including surveyors, developers, landowners and commercial agents, and has a dedicated plot sales team. The practice is led by Kate Hallin, based across Worthing and Chichester, who specialises in commercial property disputes. Chrissie Edwards and Joshua Coleman spearhead the day-to-day operations of the team with experience in commercial landlord and tenant work, commercial property transactions, option agreements, property finance work and auction sales.

The ‘approachable and welcoming‘ team at Coole Bevis LLP is led by Oliver Maxwell-Jones; based in Brighton, Maxwell-Jones is described as a ‘totally different breed’ of lawyer. Nicola Hunt, also in Brighton, advises a range of clients, dealing with acquisitions and disposals of retail, office and industrial premises. Jeff Streater and Geoff Harrington, based in Worthing and Horsham respectively, are also key names to note for their experience across commercial property including property transactions and landlord and tenant matters.

The commercial property department at Girlings is led by Jeremy Burke in Ashford, who, alongside David Redgate, works on a variety of matters including sale and purchase issues, commercial leases, development acquisitions, refinancings and enfranchisement matters; the firm is particularly active in the food and drink franchise sector. Sophie Robins is well regarded for her practice supporting SMEs, banks and schools in commercial lease transactions. Simon Stempien, based in the firm’s Herne Bay office, regularly acts for property developers on s.106 planning obligations, option agreements and site acquisitions.

Hart Brown regularly assists businesses and private individuals across the spectrum of commercial property mandates including both transactional and advisory work such as development site acquisitions, investment property purchases and disposals, site assembly issues, lease grants and renewals. The highly regarded Roderick Campbell, based in Guildford, is described as a ‘stand out partner’ and leads the practice, specialising in non-contentious commercial property work including freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals, investment purchases, secured lending issues and development and promotion agreements. Tamzin Mandelli, in Woking, has experience in transactions involving warehouses, shops, offices and restaurants, as well as landlord and tenant matters.

The team at Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP is led by managing partner Richard Cripps, who is based in Hadlow, taking over from Jo Marshall. Cripps is regarded for his experience in the agricultural sector and also acts on a range of residential and commercial development projects and portfolio acquisitions for a variety of clients.

Thackray Williams LLP has a combined practice covering a range of matters, focusing on land development and leasehold enfranchisement work. The practice is led by Yildiz Betez, who is based across Bromley and London; Betez regularly acts for both landlords and tenants, and assists clients with a range of land development issues and property conveyancing work. Vikki Herbert, based in Bromley, leads the firm’s residential property team and is another key name for leasehold enfranchisement issues, along with David Gibson.

Operating across offices in Guildford, Epsom, Reigate and Wimbledon, TWM Solicitors LLP handles a wide range of commercial property matters including acquisitions, disposals, development projects, lease work and secured property finance issues. The team acts for both individual and corporate clients, with expertise in advising golf clubs. The commercial property team is led by Adrian Price, who is experienced in development projects, transactions and leasehold work. David Stockley leads on enfranchisement work, focusing on landlord and tenant matters, including statutory lease extensions. Matthew Truelove and Sophie Lord are key names to note for commercial property development work.