Rising Stars

Commercial property: Norwich in East Anglia

Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP‘s team is ‘very communicative, proactive, and easy to get on with’, consisting of a deep bench which handles the full range of property matters. Head of commercial property Melissa Loucas is known for ‘exceptional client focus and support‘. Cameron Barlow leads the real estate investment group. Chris Hoxley specialises in residential development. ‘Highly trusted consummate professional‘ Bhargav Trivedi leads the local strategic land practice. Elizabeth Lee is the key name for real estate finance. Senior associate Andrew Ridout  and newly promoted real estate investment partner Laura Jones  also play central roles in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Melissa Loucas


Other key lawyers:

Chris Hoxley; Cameron Barlow; Bhargav Trivedi; Elizabeth Lee; Andrew Ridout; Laura Jones


Testimonials

‘They are very knowledgeable on the property law and understand the commercial challenges a business faces, including regulatory challenges for example in the chemical industry which has very specific issues when selling or buying property.’

‘Very communicative, proactive, fast response time. Easy to get on with and show a significant amount of personal interaction, taking the time to get to know their clients. Very much a part of the team.’

‘Melissa Loucas – exceptional client focus and client support over a varied tasks.’

‘Chris Hoxley is outstanding. He is a busy man but seems to work night and day to get matters resolved and provide a service.’

‘Bhargav Trivedi – highly trusted and consummate professional.’

‘Everyone we deal with at Birketts are quick to respond and to explain procedures.’

‘We are most impressed with the speed and efficiency with which Chris Hoxley and his team deal with our matters. We are assured of total professionalism and know that nothing will phase them.’

‘We enjoy working with Birketts Norwich across a range of business activities. We must have engaged with 10 different employees covering a multiple of different issues in the past 12 months and they have delivered as required. Bhargav Trivedi has a depth of experience and we have enjoyed the expertise he brings to our commercial activities.’

Key clients

Lloyds Banking Group plc


Earlswood Homes


Multimatic Inc.


Longwater Limited


Interbay Funding Ltd


LendInvest


Vello Limited


Westbrook Partners


M7 Real Estate Limited


John Innes Centre


Norwich Research Park


Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust


National Westminster Bank plc


Lloyds Banking Group plc


Norwich Airport Limited


The Cotswold Company (UK) Limited


Oxford Properties Group


Meadow Partners


Realty Income Corporation


Norfolk Homes Limited


East Anglian Property Limited


Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival LLP has ‘good commercial experience', particularly in relation to investment portfolios. The firm has a well rounded practice that handles residential development projects for national housebuilders, and commercial development for local authorities and developers. Additionally, the team is adept at assisting with real estate investment portfolio management, property finance issues, and energy projects. Real estate finance specialist Tessa Haskey leads the practice; head of leisure and tourism Joanna Nicholls handles development, landlord and tenant and investment work; Nicola Curle ‘provides commercial and high-quality advice on development matters‘; Christopher Cubitt focuses on residential development projects; and Estelle Corner deals with social housing transactions.

Practice head(s):

Tessa Haskey


Other key lawyers:

Joanna Nicholls; Nicola Curle; Christopher Cubitt


Testimonials

‘Good commercial experience, fits our own requirements well.’

‘Nicola Curle provides commercial and high-quality advice on development matters.’

Key clients

Norwich University of the Arts


Bennett Plc


Persimmon Homes Limited


Esco Developments Ltd Lovell Flagship LLP Lovell Partnerships Ltd & Flagship Housing Developments Limited


Anglia Restaurants Limited


Anglia Maltings Holdings Limited


Ford Retail Limited


Ben Burgess Holdings Limited


Lothbury Property Trust Company Limited


Ben Burgess Holdings Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised a consortium of developers (Flagship, Lovell, Esco) on 1800 unit urban expansion.
  • Acting for Ben Burgess on group company acquisition.
  • Acting for Baker & Metson in 212 acre residential promotion in favour of Land Improvement Holdings Ltd.

Mills & Reeve LLP

The Norwich office of Mills & Reeve LLP plays a pivotal role in the firm’s national commercial property practice, and is home to a deep bench of talent. ‘The practice excels at prompt advice and information delivered in such a way that non-legal professionals are able to make the best decisions‘, remarks a client. Caroline Dean and Carina Davis (formerly Cobbold), whose ‘responses are always thoroughly considered, relevant and commercial‘, lead the practice. The ranks of principal associates includes Anna Aldous, who deals with large-scale mixed use development sites; Zoe Cooke, who handles high-value residential development work for London-based developers; corporate real estate structuring specialist David Siddall; ‘incredibly efficient, diligent‘ portfolio acquisition expert Lisa-Marie Kennedy; and education sector projects lawyer Judy Day.

Practice head(s):

Caroline Dean; Carina Davis (previously Cobbold)


Other key lawyers:

Anna Aldous; Zoe Cooke; David Siddall; Judy Day; Ross Buckingham; Callum Ross


Testimonials

‘Carina Davis (née Cobbold) is our lead contact and always provides exceptional advice – her responses are always thoroughly considered, relevant and commercial. Her team are also great to work with.’

‘Caroline Dean is the most responsive partner I have ever dealt with – in times when I have needed something, she is there like an extension of my own team which has been very invaluable and exactly what I needed.’

‘Caroline Davis considers leases from a commercial perspective too, she always finds a way to solve a negotiating problem as efficiently as possible.’

‘David Siddall is very helpful.’

‘Lisa-Marie Kennedy is incredibly efficient, diligent and is excellent at communicating so that I always know where we are in the transaction (which then helps me to manage it internally). She is extremely knowledgeable in her areas of legal expertise, and is also very commercial at the same time. Lisa is really great at getting transactions completed, making sure to prompt relevant parties where needed in a friendly and effective way. Effective collaboration is a very strong skill she possesses, amongst others.’

‘Senior associate Ross Buckingham is extremely responsive and, again, very diligent, intelligent (clearly knows a great deal about his area of work) and is very proactive in getting things done. His attention to detail is excellent and he dedicates time and thoughtfulness into the work he does which is extremely reassuring. Ross also is very personable and approachable, and a pleasure to work with.’

‘I work mainly with Judy Day who is efficient and professional. I value the way Judy cares very much about our charity. Her values are totally aligned which makes working alongside her an absolute pleasure.’

‘Senior associate Callum Ross has a vast amount of knowledge and experience with utilities and telecoms matters, and has provided effective support and advice in these areas when we needed them the most.’

Key clients

Anglia Innovation Partners LLP (Norwich Research Park)


Archant Limited


Brown Family (Holt)


Central Trust


Cinnamon Collection Limited


City College Norwich


Clifford Estate Company Limited


Colman Family Trust


Countrywide Legal Indemnities Limited


Diocese of East Anglia


East Anglian Air Ambulance


Easton College


Fitzmaurice Holdings Limited


Flagship Group


Giraffe Concepts Limited


Homes England


Jarrold & Sons


John Innes Centre


Kilverstone Trust


KLM UK Engineering Limited


Land Registry


LendLease


London Diocesan Fund


Midwich Limited


Norfolk Historical Buildings Trust


Norwich City Football Club plc


Norwich Preservation Trust


Norwich School


Nurse Plus & Carer Plus (UK) Limited


Oasis Dental Care Limited


Ortona Group


Peabody Developments Limited


Randall & Quilter Investments Limited


Repton Developments Limited


Serruys Property Company Limited


Solus (London) Limited


Southwold Town Council


St Martins Housing Trust


SUE GP LLP


Timewell Properties Limited


The Forum Trust


University of East Anglia


University of Suffolk


Upton Trust (Red Lodge, Suffolk)


Urban&Civic Group


VetPartners Limited/VetPartners Practices Limited


WR & PJ Tann


Work highlights


  • Acting for landowners who are (in conjunction with Pigeon) selling land for a residential led development of circa 5,000 houses near Thetford known as Kingsfleet.
  • Acting for SUE on an urban extension at Rugby, which has planning permission for up to 6,200 dwellings, as well as major commercial development and enabling infrastructure. The firm is advising on the terms of and completing a sale of a parcel for commercial use to David Lloyd Leisure.
  • Advising the University of Suffolk on its Joint Venture with BT to deliver apprenticeships and Higher Education services out of BT’s Adastral Park in Suffolk. The project has involved a number of leases across the site, some teaching space, and others specialist facilities including acoustic chambers. One part of the project was the delivery of an Ecolab, a property constructed on bare land that is fully self-sustaining, showcasing Eco-friendly technology and sustainable living.

Ashtons Legal

Ashtons Legal has a relatively junior commercial property team in Norwich, where senior associate Greg McCurday, who joined from Birketts LLP, stands out for his work on development and secured lending matters. McCurday has been acting for clients in East Anglia and further afield and counts regional housebuilders, high-net-worth individuals and multi-national e-commerce companies amongst his list of clients. McCurday recently assisted MH Star UK Ltd with the sale of a 160,00 square foot logistics centre in Bedfordshire.

Practice head(s):

Greg McCurday


Key clients

MH Star UK Ltd


KSI Holdings Ltd


Riverway Properties Ltd


Surplus Property Solutions Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advising MH Star UK Ltd in relation to the sublease of 160,000 square foot logistics and distribution property in Bedfordshire which was constructed in December 2021. The firm completed the original lease of this unit in 2021 for a Chinese-based e-commerce company and was instructed to prepare a 14-year sublease to a logistics company.
  • Advising KSI Holdings Ltd on the purchase of a multi-let business park in Norwich to be part-occupied by the buyer with the remainder occupied by 14+ commercial tenants. The firm’s instruction also included obtaining bank funding to fund the purchase.

Fosters

The practice at Fosters is active across its network in Norfolk, but is centred in the Norwich office, where practice head James Allen, who is ‘always available and full of knowledge‘, leads a ‘professional and friendly‘ group. Allen recently acted for a purchaser of a farm and adjacent buildings in a £1m transaction. Conveyancing expert Katy Dickinson is ‘friendly, approachable and takes initiative when needed‘, often advising on the sale of properties subject to numerous leases. Legal executive Irina Goodwin also plays a key role in the practice. Dickinson frequently acts for Bradecca Restaurants in the renewal of franchises across East Anglia.

Practice head(s):

James Allen


Other key lawyers:

Katy Dickinson; Irina Goodwin


Testimonials

‘The firm works very relationally and yet highly professionally. They are proactive and always one step ahead for the client’s protection and benefit.’

‘Katy Dickinson has been our conveyancing solicitor and she has always been friendly, approachable and takes initiative where and when needed with other solicitors in a sales process.’

‘James Allen is the individual who me I followed to this firm from his previous employer. The reasons: trust , confidence in his ability and also knowing that he can complete and get the job done.’

Key clients

Tingdene Group/Tingdene Parks Limited


Crusader Holdings Limited


Norwich Practices Limited


Leeway Domestic Violence & Abuse Services


Sowerbys Estate Agents


Woodforde’s Brewery Limited


Barratt & Coe


Martin Francis Limited


Equal Lives


Work highlights


  • Acted for Woodforde’s Brewery Limited in the Underlease to a local not-for-profit company which was setting up a museum celebrating the life of Lord Nelson.
  • Acting for a business client in the purchase of a farm with adjacent barns. The client’s plan was to live in the farmhouse whilst renovating the barn as year round holiday lets. There were competing purchasers and the seller put the deal out to a contract race.
  • Acting for Bradecca Restaurants Limited in the acquisition and renewal of a number of franchises for a well known international fast food restaurant including advising on complex and technical franchise documentation.

Isadores

Isadores has a niche commercial practice, being particularly focused on insolvency. Practice head Robert Pyke has broad expertise in residential and commercial development work to handle the property aspects of insolvency cases. The 'exceptional' Pyke and senior associate Lauren Toynton are the key lawyers providing support to the firm’s corporate and insolvency teams, and Pyke recently assisted Grant Thornton LLP as trustee in the sale of residential properties and industrial units, as well as dealing with the Crown Estate in respect of a property owned by a management company that was dissolved.

Practice head(s):

Robert Pyke


Other key lawyers:

Lauren Toynton


Testimonials

‘Approachability, very good communication and always available. You are made to feel as though you are this firm’s only client which is something to be proud of.’

‘Robert Pyke is exceptional. He is always available and quite a rarity in the current world with solicitors in that he takes a proactive view and will advise on solutions rather than just presenting issues. Due to his experience he has exceptional knowledge and is a key asset to us in trying to get deals over the line.’

‘Robert Pyke, shockingly prompt and concise commercial advice.’

‘Second to none response rate and commercial service.’

Key clients

Fairfax and Favor Limited


New Buckenham Property Limited


Jadelink UK Limited


Norfolk Racing Holdings Limited


Norfolk Homes Limited


Agile Property Partners Limited


RSLC Developments Limited


T Blanchflower Carpentry Limited


Handelsbanken Plc


Grant Thornton


J O Sims Holdings Limited


Purnells Insolvency Practitioners


DFB Project Ltd


Scott Residential Ltd


Blanchard Fields Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising Fairfax and Favor Limited on two occupational leases for their latest two retail stores (Marlow and Stow-on-the-Wold).
  • Advising Norfolk Homes Limited, a multi-site developer based in North Norfolk in respect of the set up of the next phase of their development site at Trowse, Norwich, Norfolk including dealing with infrastructure documentation and plot sale contract pack set up.
  • Advising Blanchard Fields Limited on the disposal of plots at their residential development site at Blanchard Fields, Isle of Wight.

Spire Solicitors LLP

Spire Solicitors LLP ‘s large commercial property team handles a myriad of issues, including site acquisitions and disposals, new-build schemes, development agreements, and grants of easement. Protima Sikdar-Wood leads the team, and ‘takes the wellbeing of her clients very seriously’. Partner Annette Collen is a key adviser to landlords, tenants, investors, trustees and individuals. Roger Margand advises both business and charities on corporate and commercial matters, as well as major commercial property projects. Senior associate Katharine Chatters also plays a key role in the practice, which is known for its ‘client-first approach‘.

Practice head(s):

Protima Sikdar-Wood


Other key lawyers:

Roger Margand; Annette Collen; Katharine Chatters


Testimonials

‘The team provides very unique service to its clients and is one of the best solicitors firms that I have used over the last 30 years’

‘I feel the individuals working with me try to give my matters their best attention. They are all very professional specially Protima Sikdar-Wood.’

‘Protima Sikdar-Wood has excellent communication and people engagement skills She is very patient and always responsive to any questions or queries raised and delivers a service on our behalf which is very good.’

Key clients

Norfolk and Waveney Mind


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