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Commercial property: Newcastle

At Dickinson Dees LLP, Duncan Fisher specialises in private housebuilding matters, and practice head John Ralph is a property finance expert. The team secured new instructions from North Lincolnshire Homes and Homes for Heroes in 2010, and acted for Bellway in several multimillion-pound residential developments. Clients are quick to highlight its SIPP expertise.

Eversheds LLP is currently advising Newcastle upon Tyne City Council in the pre-ballot stage of the housing stock transfer of a Grade II-listed estate in Byker, and One North East and Northumberland County Council on a development agreement for the redevelopment of Blyth Town Center. Adam Heather leads the real estate team, which has a particular focus on ports. Key clients include Greggs, The Northumberland Estates and University of Newcastle.

The team at Muckle LLPconsistently meets and exceeds clients’ requirements with exceptional depth and breadth of experience’. New client gains include Persimmon plc, South Tyneside Council and University of Sunderland. The 20-fee-earner team includes newly promoted partners Jason Wainwright and Will McKay; and ‘rising star’ James Armstrong. Clients praise Jonathan Combe for his ‘incredibly astute and knowledgeable approach’.

Ward Hadaway is advising Nexus on complex agreements relating to the £20m development of Haymarket Metro Station, and Ebac on the sale of its former manufacturing plant and office premises to Tesco. Simon Priestley’s public sector team continues to advise a large number of NHS trusts and local authorities on property matters, with Simon Errington a specialist in this area. Key clients include Barratt, Persimmon and Ben Bailey Homes.

The team at Watson Burton LLP continued to provide specialist advice on two major projects in the North in 2010, namely Silverlink Property Development plc’s £200m mixed-use project, and SAS Trust’s mixed-use development project at Durham Gate. Simon Scougall left to join Bellway plc’s in-house team.

Paul Earnshaw’s team at Crutes Law Firm advised longstanding client Wordie Properties on the purchase of the 18,000 sq ft Manor View House, and acted for St Oswald’s Hospice in lease negotiations for several new shops. It continues to provide advice on property investment and development, landlord and tenant issues and secured lending, particularly in the healthcare and leisure sectors.

Paul Taylor leads the ‘excellent’ team at Hay & Kilner, which recently utilised its care home expertise in several transactions for a number of major players in the sector. The ‘extremely swift and thorough’ Gail Marshall is currently advising Dene Films on its relocation to new Ouseburn Valley headquarters. Clients value Nicola Tiffen’s expertise.

Mincoff Solicitors LLP’s commercial property department is the largest in the firm, and includes Howard Gold and five associates. It continues to build on its extensive leisure sector expertise, and is currently advising the Factory Shop on several national retail leases in light of its plans to expand.

The ‘incredibly knowledgeable and efficient’ Alexandra Westwood leads the team at Optima Legal, which includes the ‘excellent’ Philip Dine. The firm continues to handle ART Properties’ residential and commercial property portfolio, and recently acted for Bluedene on the expansion of the Players bar chain.

Short Richardson & Forth LLP’s David Richardson focuses on investment property and commercial property development, and Timothy Luckhurst-Matthews advises mainly on commercial lease transactions.

The ‘exceptional’ Andrew Walker and Hilary Parker jointly head the real estate department at Sintons LLP. The team provides asset management services to the Church Commissioners for England and several high-net-worth individuals, and recently advised Northern Developments Group on a redevelopment project that included a £12m student village.

The Newcastle office of Jacksons Law recently advised a national property investment company on the sale of a prime asset in Newcastle to a pension fund for £3.8m.

Samuel Phillips Law Firm advises businesses and families on property acquisitions and disposals, commercial contracts, and landlord and tenant arrangements.


Commercial property: Elsewhere in the North

Archers Law LLP’s ‘very good’ practice head Christopher Todd and Patrick Quigley recently acted for a local foundation college on various matters arising out of its involvement with the BSF programme, and for a landlord on the proposed redevelopment of a large shopping centre.

At BHP Law, Sonia Hunter continues to act for Bussey & Armstrong Projects on the West Park development, and is currently advising new client Nifco UK on various aspects of its proposed purpose-built factory facility.

The ‘technically excellent’ Sean Logue leads the team at Baines Wilson Solicitors, which provides ‘sound advice in a timely and professional manner’ on major acquisition, disposal and secured lending matters.

Burnetts continues to advise UCLan on its £80m development at Burnley College, and on Blackburn College’s new £60m campus.

Crutes Law Firm’s Gareth Jones recently advised The Helmsley Group on its acquisition of three single-let investment properties for £8m.

Dickinson Dees LLP’s Barbara Painter recently advised Croda Chemicals International on the sale of a redundant contaminated chemical site, and Buccleuch Property Fund on the sale of nine industrial units to Shell Pension Trust for £7.4m.

At Endeavour Partnership LLP, newly promoted partner Jamie Brown is acting for a developer in the multimillion-pound redevelopment of the former regional headquarters of ICI in Billingham. Simon Wake recently concluded two primary care development projects.

Jacksons Law’s two-partner, six-associate team is ‘as solid as they come’ and provides an ‘excellent’ service. The experienced Jane Armitage is a ‘stylish yet forceful presence in negotiations’. The team is currently involved in multiple high-value land sales and development projects.

Andrew Marquis and Jayne Minihan handle commercial property work at Cartmell Shepherd.

Gordon Brown Law Firm LLP’s name partner handles a diverse array of matters in this area.

Clients are ‘very satisfied with the level and quality of service’ provided by Hayton Winkley, and single out Naomi Fell. The team is currently advising various offshore companies on the sale, purchase and leasing of commercial properties.

Tim Haggie’s team at Latimer Hinksperforms well’ and provides an ‘excellent’ service. Recent highlights include advising on the complex sale of a former nursing home.

Stewart Williamson is the key contact at Punch Robson.

TBI is highly regarded in the market place, and has a specialist offering in relation to property investment via personal pension schemes.


Construction

At Watson Burton LLP, Roddy Gordon and Mark Lawton are ‘very capable and experienced lawyers’. The team is currently acting for Mansion Group and Bellway on several major projects. In a significant departure, the highly rated Rob Langley moved to Muckle LLP.

Dickinson Dees LLP has a mixed transactional and contentious construction practice led by Simon Rowland and Nick Henderson respectively. Key highlights included advising FATA Spa on major worldwide construction projects, and closing the final new-build school for Middlesbrough Council under its £100m BSF programme. Simon Lewis is the national practice head.

With the arrival of Rob Langley, the ‘top construction lawyer in the North East’, and Deborah Robinson, the construction team at Muckle LLP is one to watch. Key highlights included advising on a significant project concerning a second Tyne Tunnel crossing, and being appointed in a £3m ICC arbitration relating to a gas-fired power station.

Ralph Wrighton heads up the three-partner team at Ward Hadaway, which recently advised Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council on a £25m collaboration agreement with the Environment Agency, and on several engineering contracts relating to the renewal and replacement of facilities at Boulby Potash Mine.

At Archers Law LLP, Christopher Todd and Baljinder Manak advised an architect and structural engineer on the construction agreement relating to a boutique hotel.

Burnetts’ practice head John Priddle is currently advising Thomas Armstrong, a major construction and civil engineering contractor, on a £4m development in Kendal.

Senior associates Mary Anne Roff and Michael Conroy Harris at Eversheds LLP recently acted for South Tyneside Council, NAREC and University of Newcastle on construction matters.

Martin Soloman’s team at Hay & Kilner recently advised members of the Federation of Master Builders on a range of matters, and continues to conduct claims in the Technology and Construction Court.

Sintons LLP’s Jamie Corcoran, who is praised for his ‘dedication and drive to achieve optimal solutions under extreme pressures’, recently advised NAREC in relation to a £10m maritime testing facility at its Blyth site.


Environment

Stuart Wardlaw’s team at Dickinson Dees LLP advises major clients in the automotive, climate change and waste sectors, and also provides environmental compliance and regulatory enforcement advice.

Very effective relationship manager’ Neil Robson leads the team at Ward Hadaway, which recently acted for Emerald Biogas on a proposed biogas scheme, and also counts Niramax, Asda and Aldi as clients.

Watson Burton LLP is engaged by the Environment Agency to conduct prosecution work, and has a niche advising developers on contaminated land issues. Eric Cambridge is a key figure in the team.

Hay & Kilner advises clients on environmental risks and environmental warranties.

At Jacksons Law, Simon Catterall defends environmental and regulatory prosecutions relating to animal welfare, meat and food hygiene and water pollution.

Sintons LLP’s Paul Liddle acts for the second and third-largest coal producers in the UK, and also advises developers in relation to options for opencast coal and wind farm developments.

BHP Law acts for various clients in the waste management sector.


Planning

Dickinson Dees LLP’s Frank Orr and Katherine Brooker are praised for their ‘comprehensive and specialist knowledge, and their commitment to clients’. Key highlights included advising Hartlepool Borough Council on a compulsory purchase order relating to 200 plots of land, and acting for Culsmore on a stop notice and an application for planning permission.

Drawing upon practice head Robin Atkin’s village green expertise, Ward Hadaway acted for Persimmon in a landmark case in the Supreme Court. The team also acted for Sage (UK) on the review of a substantial s106 Agreement, and Northumbrian Water on compulsory purchase issues. Kevin Sanderson and Michelle Spark recently joined the team.

Muckle LLP recently advised Wycliffe Estates on s106 agreements relating to a major residential scheme, and Durham County Council on the redevelopment of the Riverside Cricket Ground. The ‘excellent’ Jonathan Combe heads up the team.

Amanda Campbell recently moved to Watson Burton LLP from DLA Piper UK LLP, joining Bryan Riley. Recent highlights include advising Bellway on a s106 agreement relating to a 400-dwelling development in Stockton, and Walters Power on an energy-related planning application.

Barney Corrigan’s team at BHP Law maintains a niche offering in waste management and disposal and minerals extraction, and successfully defended a judicial review of a local authority’s decision to refuse to register a lake as a town or village green.

The team at Eversheds LLP, featuring Peter Nesbit and Elspeth Wrigley, is recommended ‘without reservation’. It provides specialist advice to the energy sector, and recently advised NAREC on its proposed offshore wind farm test facility. Active clients include Banks Renewables and Cumbria Waste Management.

Douglas Claxton is the key contact at Burnetts.

Chris Checkley recently joined the team at Sintons LLP as practice head. His recent work includes successfully appealing against a planning decision relating to the redevelopment of a vacant social club.


Property litigation

The team at Dickinson Dees LLP advises housing associations, trusts and local authorities on a wide range of issues. Clients rate Jen Smurthwaite and Charlotte McMurchie.

Eversheds LLP recently acted for One North East and University of York in £1m-plus disputes, and advised Greggs on the management of its property portfolio.

Sintons LLP’s ‘very impressive’ Gavin Winter acted for various commercial landlords in actions for non-payment of rent against tenants and in challenges relating to the validity of tenant break notices.

Watson Burton LLP’s Richard Pickersgill is rated for his ‘excellent knowledge and wealth of experience’, and recently advised a mix of landlords and tenants, on matters including a dilapidation claim and a lease forfeiture notice.

Hay & Kilner’s Martin Soloman is ‘superbly efficient’ on property litigation matters. The team handles business tenancy renewals, development disputes, and landlord and tenant issues.

Muckle LLP acts for major landlords and tenants on a wide range of matters.

Ward Hadaway acts for housebuilders, developers and retail clients as well as public sector and healthcare clients. Philip O’Loughlin is the key contact.


Social housing

Russell Hall heads up the strong team at Dickinson Dees LLP. It acts for many regional and national registered providers, such as Four Housing Group, Places for People and Gentoo.

Eversheds LLP’s Mitch Brown recently advised Home Group on a joint venture arrangement to develop 19 separate mixed-tenure housing sites with Gateshead Council. New clients include Waterloo Housing Group, Twin Valley Homes and Fabrick Group.

Crutes Law Firm handles a high volume of tenancy enforcement cases for East Durham Homes and Milecastle Housing, and acted for Endeavour in the acquisition of 95 properties by way of plot build agreement in Darlington and Middlesbrough.

Sintons LLP counts Four Housing Group as a client. Hilary Parker is the chair of Three Rivers Housing Association.

Watson Burton LLP continues to advise Cheviot Housing Association, Bellway Housing Trust, and various private sector housebuilders.


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