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The highly rated team at Arthur Cox is always ‘available and efficient, and understands client needs’. It is advising Sport NI on the redevelopment of three stadiums; Northern Ireland Housing Association on a pilot stock transfer to Creggan (Rinmore); and University of Ulster on the redevelopment of its old campus. Practice head Rowan White and Alastair Todd are recommended, as is Ross Davidson, who has ‘a friendly approach, always meets client demands, and provides an excellent service’.

Carson McDowell’s team has ‘in-depth knowledge of the legislation combined with a commercial approach’. Its recent work includes advising Belfast Harbour Commissioners on the Dong Energy offshore wind farm project; Synter Group on the property aspects of its acquisition of the Agnew Motor Group; and Virgin Active on the Northern Ireland property aspects of its acquisition of the Esporta portfolio. Jeremy Hill heads the team, and Rosemary Carson has ‘detailed knowledge of the law and excellent communication skills coupled with the ability to cut through the legal jargon’.

The well-regarded James Houston heads Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s team, which advised Titanic Quarter Limited in relation to the Titanic Signature Building, and is advising the client on its development at Queen’s Island and proposed film studios at Titanic Quarter. It also recently acted for Northern Ireland Science Park Property Limited in the sale and leaseback of Concourse II to the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. Director Kathryn Collie is recommended.

Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP’s team is headed by the well-respected Ian Huddleston, and primarily acts for private and institutional investors. It is advising Invest NI on property investment in the Titanic Quarter; a national bank on the restructuring of its property portfolio; and the Department for Social Development on regeneration initiatives across a number of sites.

Tughans has a ‘smashing’ practice, advising on development, finance, asset management, and distressed property matters. It is advising Tesco Stores Limited on the sale of commercial mortgage backed securities supported by rental income, and on the acquisition and development of a retail park. Other clients include Deloitte, KPMG, and PBN Holdings. Practice head Phyllis Agnew, Tracey Schofield, and John Mills are recommended.

The ‘excellent’ team at A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland provides ‘solid, expeditious advice at dependable rates’. Recent work includes representing the Irish Football Association in the redevelopment of Windsor Park, and CBRE Global Investors Limited on its purchase and management of a mixed-use building. Team head Mark Blair is ‘very clear and concise, and able to put things in layman’s terms’, and offers ‘sensible solutions to a variety of legal issues’. Associate Judith Corbett joined from McGrigors Belfast LLP, and is ‘diligent and accessible, with detailed property knowledge’.

The well-regarded team at C & H Jefferson is led by the ‘brilliant’ Mark Tinman, who acts for a large number of retailers in the acquisition and disposal of property as well as for property developers and banks. Julie Galbraith focuses on landlord and tenant issues, including retail development matters, and is also recommended.

Millar McCall Wylie’s team is ‘impressive’, with ‘sound knowledge and experience’. It acted for Primacure (NI) on the acquisition of numerous project sites. It is advising Henderson (UK) Property Fund on the sale of commercial investment property and NFU Mutual Insurance Society on all new countrywide lettings. Conor Wylie provides ‘excellent timely, succinct and relevant advice’. Peter McCall and Andrew Kerr are ‘commercial in their approach’ and ‘consistently practical, effective, and efficient’.

Elliott Duffy Garrett acts for major property developers, retailers, funders, and private and institutional investors, across the gamut of commercial property matters. Leo Brown leads the team.

John McKee & Son’s practice spans landlord and tenant issues, site acquisitions, and development work. The firm advises a number of UK and Republic of Ireland banks on secured property lending. Other clients include DHL/Exel and Pickfords. Gerard Small heads the team.

The well-respected team at Johns Elliot undertakes ‘very good’ work for private and institutional clients. Commercial property development and conveyancing are key areas of focus areas for the firm, and it also advises on landlord and tenant issues. Steven Cockcroft, Richard Dickson and David Leitch are recommended.

McCartan Turkington Breen acts for property developers, retailers, funders, private and institutional investors, landlords and tenants. It recently advised an Australia-based investor on the acquisition of factory premises in Lisburn.

Mills Selig is noted for its understanding of the industry and ability to protect clients’ interests. It acts for developers and harbour authorities, and has significant experience in lettings. Clients include Murdoch Property Group, Bow Street Mall Limited, and Homebase. Bill McCann heads the practice.

Construction

A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland’s construction team acts in mediation and litigation, as well as handling non-contentious matters. New clients include the Irish Football Association, Northern Ireland Water, and Accord Maintenance Procurement Group; the firm has been advising the latter, a group of five housing associations, on the procurement process in a Part A services tender to be procured by restricted procedure. Brendan Fox is recommended.

Arthur Cox’s ‘proactive’ team provides good value for money. It is acting for the University of Ulster in its relocation project; SportNI in the redevelopment of Windsor Park; and arc21 in the procurement and delivery of a waste energy facility and mechanical and biological treatment facilities. It is also representing Helm Housing Association in court proceedings alleging breach of contract, where the claimant went into administration. Team head Ross Davidson and Alastair Todd are recommended.

Carson McDowell provides ‘clear, concise advice’, and is ‘willing to go the extra mile’. It is advising Belfast Harbour Commissioners on construction matters relating to the harbour facility to be used for the erection of offshore wind turbines; and the University of Ulster on its Greater Belfast development. Stuart Murphy is ‘knowledgeable and commercially minded’, and ‘provides a high level of service’.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin advises across the spectrum of contentious and non-contentious construction matters. It is currently advising Castlereagh Borough Council on the refurbishment of the Dundonald International Ice Bowl, and advised Harcourt Construction (NI) Limited as contractor on the Titanic Signature Project. It continues to represent North West Regional College in a building defects claim. Practice head Patrick Fleming and director Jonathan Forrester are recommended.

With notable cross-jurisdictional capabilities, Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP’s Belfast-based team is advising the London Borough of Croydon on a number of construction contracts, including the BRIT Academy design and build project; and Benmore Group on the development, construction, and forward funding of a site at Dale Street, Liverpool. It also advised Marex Construction Limited in an adjudication brought by a subcontractor in CVA, relating to Musgrave Wharf Belfast. Sam Beckett is known for his litigation expertise, and co-heads the practice with Andrea McIlroy-Rose, who has particular expertise in development.

McIldowies Solicitors’ Nigel Brown is well regarded for construction litigation work.

Tughans provides an ‘excellent, client-centred service’. It recently advised Lagan Construction Group on a build contract for the demolition and construction of a five-star hotel in Sierra Leone, and Ilex URC on the redevelopment of the parade ground at Ebrington. It is also representing the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in 30 related contractual proceedings. Michael McCord is noted for his ‘practical approach to complex legal issues’.

Environment and planning

With a dedicated environmental and planning team, Carson McDowell understands the business environment and the factors that drive clients’ decision-making processes. It is representing Belfast International Airport in its opposition to the proposed runway extension at Belfast City Airport; the Port of Belfast in its proposed mixed-use City Quays development; and RES and Scottish and Southern Electricity on major wind farm proposals. Industry leader Gary McGhee has ‘encyclopaedic’ knowledge.

Cleaver Fulton Rankin provides ‘excellent’ client service. The team is advising Belfast City Airport on the proposed variation of its planning agreement; and AES on planning, environmental and regulatory issues relating to the operation of Kilroot Power Station. It is also representing a consortium of builders and a leading waste provider in respective planning enforcement appeal proceedings. Karen Blair is the ‘number-one authority on planning and environmental regulation matters’.

Alastair Todd heads Arthur Cox’s team, which is acting as lead planning adviser for the University of Ulster’s Greater Belfast development, and is also advising Sport NI on environmental and planning issues relating to the redevelopment of three stadiums. The team also handles judicial review work. Associate Deidre St. John is a key contact

Recent work for the team at Pinsent Masons Belfast LLP includes advising Northern Ireland’s Department of Justice on PAD process planning issues; Invest NI on PAD process and environmental issues; the Department of Social Development on planning order powers; and the Crown Estate in relation to offshore wind farm development. Ian Huddleston is the name to note.

Tughans handles contentious and non-contentious matters, and is advising Ilex Urban Regeneration Company on environmental and planning issues relating to developments at Fort George and Ebrington, and Veridis Energy on its planning application for a major waste energy facility. Andrew Ryan is recommended.

Elliott Duffy Garrett’s Leo Brown advises on planning, environmental, and waste management issues.

Mills Selig’s commercial property group advises on related environmental and planning issues. Bill McCann is the name to note.

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