United Kingdom > East Anglia > Real estate
Commercial property: Cambridge
Commercial property: Cambridge
Mills & Reeve LLP’s advice is ‘always appropriate and understandable to a non-lawyer’. Michelle Cookson, Nick Finlayson-Brown, Christine de Ferrars Green, Charles Staveley (‘particularly strong, always direct and proactive’) and Tim Allsop (‘skilful in negotiations’) are key figures in the team, whose recent work includes the CB1 development in Cambridge and the Addenbrooke’s Hospital 2020 project. The firm also advised O&H Properties on a 6,900-home development with land values over £20m.
At Hewitsons LLP, Elizabeth Jones, Graeme Sampson and James Simpson are ‘very proactive, alert, thorough and diligent’, and are appreciated for their ‘strength and tenacity to get things done’. Jones is advising the Medical Research Council as a member of the UKCMRI joint venture behind a £600m research centre in London. Other clients are as far afield as Devon and Northumberland.
Elizabeth Deyong, Steven Beach and Michaela Henson at Taylor Vinters are ‘easy to work with, friendly and supportive’, ‘offer clear advice, and are willing to explore every possibility and act quickly and reliably’. Winning Greene King as a client was a major coup.
The advice on offer at Birketts LLP’s young Cambridge office is ‘always thoroughly sound and delivered quickly and clearly’. Kath Herbert is ‘incredibly strong on joint property ventures’, and Jonathan Greenhalgh is ‘diplomatic, and does not bother with trivia’.
At Eversheds LLP, Dominic Morris stands out for his development and regeneration work, and Zoe Cooke has notable expertise in affordable housing. The firm counts Taylor Wimpey and many London borough councils as clients. Tracey Hughes and Alice Liddle moved to Howes Percival LLP in Norwich.
Kester Cunningham John’s Charles Webb and Magnus McManus are noted for the client-centred approach and eye for value. McManus handles the national portfolio of Savills, and is advising a Cambridge College on a £10m land sale to a national housebuilder.
Active in commercial landlord/tenant work and acquisitions, including two schemes in Cambridge over £5m, Alastair Lorimer at Tees Solicitors ‘gives good sound advice and never keeps you waiting’.
Commercial property: Ipswich
Commercial property: Ipswich
Birketts LLP ‘achieves what it sets out to do – provide a London type of service at regional prices’, through partners including Chris Barker, Richard Eaton, Nigel Farthing and Nick Tavener. Hopkins Homes is an active client.
The team at Gotelee Solicitors is appreciated for its ‘good advice and good value’. Catherine Abbott and Martin Whitworth’s expertise is ‘always impressive, with honest assessments of risk and how clients can protect themselves’. An office acquisition in central London is a recent highlight.
‘Efficient and helpful’, Kerseys Solicitors is ‘very good and costs are reasonable; matters are carried out professionally’. The ‘pragmatic, experienced’ James Hayward’s team includes Kimat Singh and Jane Riley. Transactional highlights included a £10m sale of land in Surrey for residential development.
Ashton Graham’s Toby Kramers ‘compares favourably with other lawyers in the area for his commercial and pragmatic approach and good value for money’. The firm is assisting a new client in developing a 120-house site near Diss.
Blocks has a growing practice in property transactions in the healthcare sector, and advises on surgery developments for doctors and PCTs. Clients of Andrew Fleming and Julie Hoy’s team include national lender Aldermore plc.
Prettys has care homes specialist Claire McBride and development expert Christopher Green in Ipswich. Refinancing mortgage portfolios and complex property sales for shipping and care home companies are among its notable recent deals.
Commercial property: Norwich
Commercial property: Norwich
At Mills & Reeve LLP, ‘service levels are high, response times short, and value for money is better than most City firms’. Tim Ryan garners praise for his work with local and national clients, and recently assisted on the letting of Baskerville House in Birmingham to the Office for Legal Complaints. Caroline Dean advised Colney Innovations on a £5m project in the Norwich Research Park expansion.
Birketts LLP has ‘great business acumen and in-depth knowledge of regional property issues’. Robert Gibbs is ‘personable, efficient, and commercially minded’, with ‘excellent client communication’. Longstanding clients include Bernard Matthews Farms.
Fosters attracts high praise from clients. Robert Pyke is ‘pragmatic and thorough, with a “can-do” approach’, and lease specialist Tracy Guest is also recommended.
‘Concise, on time and within budget’, Philip Hunter’s team at Howes Percival LLP has brought in Tracey Hughes and Alice Liddle from Eversheds LLP. It recently handled sales, leases and development agreements for Ford dealerships across the UK.
Kester Cunningham John has lost Chris Gilbert, but Simon Cunningham and James Slinger are prominent in the region and beyond. The team advised Dacorum Borough Council on the £3.2m redevelopment of a derelict site in Hemel Hempstead.
Hatch Brenner LLP’s outstanding Alan Dobbins has been active in high-value matters such as advising on ransom rights for a residential development in Norwich, and the £10m acquisition of a development site.
Leathes Prior delivers ‘pragmatic, commercial, no-frills advice’ through Rob Sibley, Paul Oldershaw and rising star Chris Hoxley. Highlights included the consolidation of Mattressman stores and warehouses across East Anglia, and the sale of the Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket.
Rogers and Norton’s Bruce Faulkner handled leases including a 9,000 sq ft property and a prestigious office block in Norwich. Marc Greig’s work for developers and housebuilders also stands out. The firm advises local businesses, landowners, plcs and pension schemes.
Steeles Law LLP’s team is ‘excellent, and very responsive, with practical knowledge of the law’. Michael Fahy recently acted on the £26m development of a sixth form college. Mark Rymarz is now at Nicholsons Solicitors LLP.
Cozens-Hardy LLP is ‘a delight to work with, and very timely in its responses. It never lets the client down’. Chris Groves is recommended.
Greenland Houchen Pomeroy’s housing association client base keeps its property team busy. Other recent work includes disposals up to £5m for private companies in Norfolk.
Tim Chiverton’s team at Hansells advises many franchisors, as well as developers such as Landlink plc.
Ben Keane’s approachable style attracts regional and national clients to Overburys & Raymond Thompson.
Commercial property: Peterborough
Commercial property: Peterborough
Buckles Solicitors LLP is noted for its partner-led service, and acts for many public sector clients as well as private businesses. Michael Rabbett and Michael Blank are reommended.
‘Knowledgeable, attentive and with complete mastery of her subject’, Karin Horsley leads a ‘very responsive, practical and pragmatic’ team at Greenwoods Solicitors LLP. Stephen Illingworth is ‘very knowledgeable, and able to communicate without resorting to legal jargon’.
‘Prompt, friendly, attentive, professional and good value’, HC Solicitors’ team includes Anna Spriggs (‘positive, proactive, and clear minded’), Andrew Whitehead (‘practical and no nonsense’), and Karen Turpin. It handles deals up to £10m in value, and has a niche in ecclesiastical property law.
Hugh Nicholls and Richard Hegarty at Hegarty LLP handle local and London-related work. The firm is noted for its pragmatic approach and good value for money, and handles estates work for the Cambridgeshire Police Authority.
Delivering ‘excellent service and value for money’, Roythornes LLP’s team includes Jonathan Williams and Paul Tate. It handles the property portfolios of national charities and major property owners in Peterborough. Williams recently handled the lease of a dockside facility in Avonmouth and the purchase of a hotel in Birmingham.
Young firm Sloan Plumb Wood LLP continues to rise in prominence in Peterborough, with Nick Plumb and Matthew Ingle increasingly well known.
Commercial property: Elsewhere in East Anglia
Commercial property: Elsewhere in East Anglia
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- Ashton Graham Bury St Edmunds
- Greene & Greene Bury St Edmunds
- Kester Cunningham John Bury St Edmunds
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- Leeds Day Huntingdon
- Nicholsons Solicitors LLP Lowestoft
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- Blocks Felixstowe
- Hawkins Solicitors King’s Lynn
- Metcalfe, Copeman & Pettefar King’s Lynn
Ashton Graham’s attentive and thorough Andrew Roe advised on a land sale to a supermarket chain, and the optioning of a large residential development site. Matthew Cameron’s French legal services team handles cross-border deals.
At Greene & Greene, the ‘responsive, informed and experienced’ Fraser Paskell assisted with renewable energy deals with a capital value of £3bn. Also recommended are Neil Grigg, who recently helped acquire Gerda’s £2.3m UK headquarters; Neil Walmsley, noted for his ‘commercial approach and practical solutions’; and Chris Taylor.
Kester Cunningham John’s Ron Clare is advising on the relocation of a local manufacturing company, and acts for other clients throughout the region.
Christopher Dodd and Sara Lawson at Huntingdon’s leading practice Leeds Day advise many public sector clients.
Nicholsons Solicitors LLP’s Ben Blower and Mark Willis welcomed Mark Rymarz’s arrival from Steeles Law LLP, in a boost to the leading team in Lowestoft.
Howard Wright at Blocks is sought after in Felixstowe and has concluded many property deals in the docks for local hauliers.
Hawkins Solicitors counts a major construction company among its growing list of clients.
Metcalfe, Copeman & Pettefar handled the £1.8m sale of a warehouse in Diss. New arrival Bryan Gillery from Eversheds LLP adds heavyweight experience.
Construction
Construction
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- Eversheds LLP Ipswich
- Mills & Reeve LLP Cambridge, Norwich
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- Birketts LLP Ipswich, Norwich
- Hewitsons LLP Cambridge
- Taylor Vinters Cambridge
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- Buckles Solicitors LLP Peterborough
- Greenwoods Solicitors LLP Peterborough
- Prettys Ipswich
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- Kester Cunningham John Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Norwich
- Rogers and Norton Norwich
- Sloan Plumb Wood LLP Peterborough
At Eversheds LLP, Dominic Lacey, an acknowledged expert in local and central government and the transport sector, is ‘personable and very practical’. The firm handles London development work as part of a national practice acting for various London boroughs and Barclays Bank, among others.
Mills & Reeve LLP delivers a ‘first-class City service at a regional price’. Ron Plascow and contentious specialist Ed Callaghan ‘never fail to impress’; and Stuart Thompson ‘provides sound advice and excellent service’. The team advised the British Library in relation to its £20m newspaper storage building.
Birketts LLP’s ‘experience is invaluable, especially in the efficient resolution of disputes’. Andrew Rush and Ruth Sunaway ‘provide exceptional service and expertise’. Clients include developer Dencora 2000, and contractors Brooks & Wood Ltd and Jackson Civil Engineering Group.
Hewitsons LLP’s team is ‘very good indeed; they understand how their advice impinges on a business’. Colin Jones is ‘practical and always ready to help’, and recently advised Huntingdonshire District Council on a £3m car park project.
Associate Tim Hall at Taylor Vinters advises on contracts, collateral warranties and disputes, often for clients in the education sector.
Buckles Solicitors LLP’s James Coppinger, now qualified as an adjudicator, ‘gives good, practical advice’, and is noted for his ability to explain complex matters in simple terms.
At Greenwoods Solicitors LLP, Julian Kirkpatrick and the vastly experienced Richard Jones have a growing client roster for complex disputes.
Prettys’ Peter Blake, Roland Sharp and Claire McBride are valued for their thorough and considered style, in disputes and transactions. The firm operates the National Federation of Builders’ construction advice line.
Kester Cunningham John’s team is ‘excellent in all regards, knowledgeable and commercially aware’, and includes James Slinger, Magnus McManus and consultant Bob McGeady. The firm advises Camgrain, the UK’s largest farmer-owned central storage business. Associate Samantha Houlden is ‘a pleasure to deal with, and will feature in the industry for many years to come’.
Rogers and Norton’s Peter Hastings has seen more litigation, including a contractor’s £1.75m claim for fees following the termination of a project.
Sloan Plumb Wood LLP’s Martin Wood is a popular choice for contentious matters.
Environment
Environment
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- Hewitsons LLP Cambridge
- Mills & Reeve LLP Norwich
- Richard Buxton Cambridge
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- Andrew Bryce & Co Cambridge
- Greenwoods Solicitors LLP Peterborough
- Taylor Vinters Cambridge
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- Birketts LLP Ipswich, Norwich
- Greene & Greene Bury St Edmunds
- Howes Percival LLP Norwich
- Steeles Law LLP Norwich
‘Proactive, quick, and responsive’, Deborah Sharples is a vastly experienced environmental lawyer, whose wide-ranging work places Hewitsons LLP firmly in the top tier. She recently defended a farmer accused of breaching an abatement notice; represented two farmers outside East Anglia who operated livestock units without PPC permits; and advised a chemical manufacturer on the remediation of contaminated land.
Mills & Reeve LLP’s Rebecca Carriage is noted for her quick, effective and commercial approach, and acts for clients such as Trinity College Cambridge and the Mineral Products Association. Advice on the Mining Waste Directive, for companies such as CBI Minerals Group, is a key strand of the practice.
Richard Buxton is ‘the standout East Anglia firm for environmental matters’, with an outstanding claimant practice. Susan Ring is experienced in aircraft noise and wind farm claims.
Andrew Bryce & Co’s name partner is a leading specialist in regulatory and environmental matters, including criminal defence for industrial clients in sectors such as waste management, and oil and gas.
Celebrated regulatory expert Kathryn Gilbertson at Greenwoods Solicitors LLP leads a team that includes environmental expert Anna Willets. Recent successes include saving £250,000 for a haulier with a planning permission issue concerning contaminated groundwater.
Consultants Neill Campbell and Martin Blakemore bring vast experience in contaminated land issues and environmental disputes to the commercial property practice of Taylor Vinters, which advises clients on Environment Agency prosecutions among other matters.
Birketts LLP is ‘very good for both public and private sector clients, providing sound and reassuring advice’. Richard Eaton is ‘extremely good at guiding clients through difficult proceedings’.
At Greene & Greene, litigators Michael Batty and Andrew Kinnison defend Environment Agency prosecutions, with one ongoing matter involving liabilities of over £70,000.
Howes Percival LLP’s Philip Hunter, who has a master’s degree in environmental law, defends clients against Environment Agency prosecutions.
Steeles Law LLP’s David Merson is ‘prompt and experienced’.
Planning
Planning
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- Mills & Reeve LLP Cambridge, Norwich
- Taylor Vinters Cambridge
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- Birketts LLP Ipswich, Cambridge
- Eversheds LLP Cambridge
- Gotelee Solicitors Ipswich
- Hewitsons LLP Cambridge
- Howes Percival LLP Norwich
- Kester Cunningham John Bury St Edmunds
- Richard Buxton Cambridge
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3
- Greenland Houchen Pomeroy Norwich
- Greenwoods Solicitors LLP Peterborough
- Steeles Law LLP Norwich
Mills & Reeve LLP’s David Brock is chair of the Law Society’s Planning and Environment Law Committee. He recently advised on complex s106 negotiations for the CB1 development, and also on an application for a 65MW energy-from-waste facility in Bedford.
Taylor Vinters’ Amy Richardson has ‘strong local contacts and depth of knowledge’. Her team obtained planning permission for a stables yard for Godolphin Management Company, and acted for Babergh District Council in an appeal over a housing development near Ipswich. New clients include Greene King.
Birketts LLP delivers ‘fast responses and practical advice in a calm but firm manner’. Richard Eaton and Graham Wright are recommended, and senior associate Tom Newcombe, who joined from Eversheds LLP, brings experience in large projects.
Eversheds LLP is noted for its ‘quick response times and good grasp of commercial aspects’, on matters including compulsory purchase projects. Associates Peter Seaborn and James Smith advise clients such as Grosvenor Developments. Trevor Ivory left for Howes Percival LLP.
Gotelee Solicitors is ‘excellent on all counts’, with Brian Morron very highly rated. He is advising tenants of a large business park, and handling an application for a mixed-use site near Ipswich.
Deborah Sharples at Hewitsons LLP is ‘knowledgeable, enthusiastic and responsive’. Her recent work includes assisting an objector to a new truck stop, and successfully representing a poultry farmer in relation to expansion plans.
Howes Percival LLP joins the ranking with the arrival Trevor Ivory from Eversheds LLP, whose recent work includes advising Ashwell Property Group on a £1bn regeneration near Cambridge Railway Station.
‘Star player’ Bob McGeady at Kester Cunningham John is ‘an expert negotiator, and fights his corner vigorously’, and is ‘equally at home in planning inquiries, High Court judicial reviews, and the nuts and bolts of complex planning applications’.
Richard Buxton’s record in planning judicial reviews is exemplary. It advises clients across the UK, including many claimants against propsed wind farm projects.
Kevin Oelrichs and Jane Walford handle planning issues for Greenland Houchen Pomeroy’s many housing association clients.
Greenwoods Solicitors LLP’s property team, under Karin Horsley, assists numerous housing associations with planning issues.
The ‘prompt, experienced’ David Merson at Steeles Law LLP is experienced in promoting compulsory purchase orders. The firm is on Sussex County Council’s consortium for planning law.
Property litigation
Property litigation
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- Birketts LLP Ipswich, Norwich
- Mills & Reeve LLP Norwich
- Taylor Vinters Cambridge
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- Buckles Solicitors LLP Peterborough
- Greenwoods Solicitors LLP Peterborough
- Hewitsons LLP Cambridge
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- Ashton Graham Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich
- Eversheds LLP Cambridge
- Hegarty LLP Peterborough
- Kester Cunningham John Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Norwich
- Leathes Prior Norwich
- Steeles Law LLP Norwich
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- Greene & Greene Bury St Edmunds
- Kerseys Solicitors Ipswich
Praised for its high levels of service, Birketts LLP’s team includes John Scannell, who has ‘a wealth of experience, and is great to work with’; Richard Eaton, who is ‘calm, efficient and organised’; barrister Simon Woodhead, noted for his ‘detailed legal mind, and clarity of expression’; and James Robinson, who is ‘hardworking and commercial’. The firm advises Bernard Matthews Farms and Norfolk Police Authority.
Mills & Reeve LLP’s ‘real specialist knowledge is of Magic Circle calibre’. James Falkner is ‘absolutely first rate, a pleasure to work with’. ‘Unflappable, and one of the best prop lit solicitors in the country’, Richard Hanson has joined from Eversheds LLP.
Taylor Vinters is valued for its ‘sound, discrete and effective service’, and ‘conducts litigation in a cost-effective manner’. Christopher Falvey has ‘experience and personal integrity’, and is ‘a safe pair of hands’. Greene King and the University of Cambridge are clients.
At Buckles Solicitors LLP, Gail Sykes handles contentious property issues for many RSLs. Solicitor advocate and mediator Paul Branch advised Indesit on a break notice in a commercial property lease, among other disputes.
Greenwoods Solicitors LLP is ‘quick to respond, and the quality of advice is similar to larger national firms’. Graham Cooper is highly accomplished.
At Hewitsons LLP, the outstanding Robert McLellan and newly promoted partner Lucinda Brown handled a noise nuisance claim against a motocross stadium, and a restrictive covenant dispute involving a premier stud farm in Sussex.
Ashton Graham’s Rob Adam and Mark Merriam have been active in mediations, and advised on a failed gentleman’s agreement over a development site.
Eversheds LLP is ‘timely, value for money and customer focused’. Associate Richard New is its main lawyer in the area in Cambridge, with Richard Hanson having moved to Mills & Reeve LLP.
Hegarty LLP’s Kally Singh represents tenants and landlords. He recently handled a judicial review for Britain’s largest housebuilder.
Kester Cunningham John’s team includes experienced specialist Michael Frape and Don Sheahan, who has expertise advising housebuilders and developers. It advised Trinity Hall on a £340,000 dilapidations claim.
Leathes Prior ‘constantly impresses’, particularly through the ‘structured, prompt’ Darren Bowen. Mike Barlow and Martin Plowman also feature in a new team handling dilapidation claims, and landlord/tenant and boundary disputes.
‘Competent, helpful and willing to explain complex legal matters’, Steeles Law LLP handles squatters actions, eviction of trespassers, and licence alterations for leaseholders. Jean Parkinson took over from Nick Porter, who is now at Buckles Solicitors LLP.
Ben French has a thriving building disputes practice at Blocks.
Fosters is building a team around the disputes work of Adrian Newborough.
Greene & Greene’s Michael Batty is ‘an excellent choice for boundary and neighbour disputes’.
Anthony Wooding at Kerseys Solicitors is ‘exceptionally efficient, with a vast depth of knowledge, and goes the extra mile’.
Social housing
Social housing
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- Birketts LLP Norwich
- Buckles Solicitors LLP Peterborough
- Eversheds LLP Cambridge
- Greenland Houchen Pomeroy Norwich
- Taylor Vinters Cambridge
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2
- Blocks Ipswich
- Greenwoods Solicitors LLP Peterborough
- Kester Cunningham John Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Norwich
- Leathes Prior Norwich
Peter Goddard leads Birketts LLP’s multi-disciplinary team of eight, whose expanding RSL client list includes Swan Housing Group and Iceni Homes.
‘Better than local competitors’, Buckles Solicitors LLP’s Gail Sykes, Kerry Patrick and Paul Branch have some 60 RSL clients nationwide.
At Eversheds LLP, Richard New and Zoe Cooke (noted for her ‘excellent organisational skills’) advise clients such as Family Mosaic Housing. Tracey Hughes left for Howes Percival LLP.
Greenland Houchen Pomeroy’s Kevin Oelrichs and Jane Walford advise many housing associations, including Flagship Housing Group and Saffron Housing Trust, on right-to-buy, shared ownership and governance matters.
Taylor Vinters calls on 11 partners to assist RSL clients. Elizabeth Deyong plays a key role in attracting new clients such as Catalyst Housing Group and Colne Housing Society.
Many housing associations, including Suffolk Housing Society, go to Gerry Field and Julie Hoy at Blocks for funding and property advice.
Greenwoods Solicitors LLP’s team is ‘very much aware of current best practice’. Graham Cooper is ‘knowledgeable and approachable’. Clients include East Midlands Housing Association.
Kester Cunningham John’s Bob McGeady and Charles Webb are on the boards of major housing associations. RSLs call on the firm’s employment and construction teams.
‘Understanding, and willing to work in a collaborative way’, Leathes Prior’s team, under Rob Sibley, counts Saffron Housing Trust and Freebridge Community Housing as clients.