The Legal 500

United Kingdom > South East > Real estate > Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Blake Lapthorn strengthened its commercial property offering in 2011 by hiring Mark Grant from DMH Stallard LLP and senior solicitor Nicola Boaden from Henmans LLP. Andrew Miscampbell chairs the six-partner practice, which advises several Oxford colleges on major development projects.

Boyes Turner demonstrates a ‘good understanding of its clients’ business’, and acts for household names such as Ericsson, Barratt Homes and RBS. ‘Thorough, customer-focused and commercial’ practice head Nick Carter specialises in headquarters relocations, and assists large corporates with their property portfolios. Mark Appleton is also popular with clients.

Niche firm BrookStreet des Roches specialises in real estate matters, and has strong sector expertise in areas such as retail, leisure and financial services. In 2012, the firm bolstered its team by recruiting four solicitors and promoting Suki Hardy and Justin Winterbottom to partner. Clients include Oxfam, McDonald’s, Allianz and The London Borough of Wandsworth.

Impressing with its ‘prompt and innovative’ advice, Field Seymour Parkes LLP recently handled the property aspects relating to the sale of Euro Car Parts to LKQ, and advised engineering business Corac Group on the relocation of its UK headquarters. Practice head Marcus Francis works closely with the ‘very practical’ Philip Seymour and the ‘constructive’ Rachel Booth.

‘Excellent in all regards’, Henmans LLP is ‘extremely proactive in anticipating potential issues and advancing practical solutions before the problem arises’. Led by Iain Davis, the team’s client roster includes Cancer Research UK and Clydesdale Bank. Lesley Pollock is ‘extremely efficient and timely in her responses’, and Adrian White is ‘well informed, calm and courteous’.

Manches LLP continues to attract high-profile mandates despite the departure of Elizabeth Hussain (to Boyes Turner) and John Castell. The firm was selected to advise on the development of the new Liverpool Street Crossrail station, and is handling the real estate aspects of Oxford University’s acquisition of the Institute of Rheumatology from Imperial College. Richard Smith leads the ‘excellent’ department.

Pitmans LLP is highly regarded for its work advising housebuilders on acquiring development land, and recently handled two multimillion-pound site purchases for Bewley Homes in Reading and East Challow. Other clients include Banner Homes, Coutts & Co, Urban Outfitters, and Porsche. Team head Andrew Davies and Paul Murray are recommended.

At Shoosmiths, practice head Alan Corcoran recently advised Santander on the financing of 30 property interests owned by a consortium of developers, while Andrew Farmery (‘a good and efficient communicator’) assisted Wagamama on a substantial expansion programme to acquire new UK restaurant sites over three years.

Blandy & Blandy LLP has ‘a wide variety of expertise’ but is particularly well known for land development and secured lending work. Jane Gunnell and Katja Wigham are ‘highly professional and always willing to devote time to their clients’.

The ‘excellent’ team at Clarkslegal LLP is led by Rachel Krol, who is singled out for her experience, knowledge and pragmatism. Clients include Reading University, Carillion, the NHS, and Air France.

Darbys Solicitors LLP is commended for its ‘good working knowledge and value for money’. Mark Taylor recently acted for Oxford University in a proposed £6.6m land purchase to build a new cancer research centre.

The ‘very competent and efficient’ team Morgan Cole has particular expertise in the health sector, and is also experienced in energy-related matters. Ruth Leadbitter heads the practice, and is recommended for development projects.

The real estate department at Osborne Clarke is led by Elizabeth Sturgess, who has 23 years of property experience and particular expertise in residential development and strategic land matters. Clients include Hyundai and Barclays Bank.

The 12-strong team at Thomas Eggar LLP is led by the ‘very experienced and approachable’ Biddy Walker. Sector strengths include leisure, retail and healthcare.

Brethertons LLP handles an array of commercial property mandates, but has particular expertise in matters relating to academy schools and the hotel industry. Tom Lawrence is a ‘very good adviser’.

Clifton Ingram LLP recently advised Just Eat on various issues, including taking a new lease of its main operational centre. Practice head Tim Read is ‘very knowledgeable’.

The ‘incredibly responsive’ team at Olswang acts for Direct Wines, Freshwater Property Management and new client Nationwide Building Society. Department head Carol Griffin is ‘creative, objective and very experienced’.

The commercial property offering at Plainlaw solicitors attracts very high praise from clients. Practice head Philip Horn is ‘attentive to detail and prepared to discuss alternatives’.

Spratt Endicott’s commercial property department is led by Andrew Woods, who has expertise in landlord and tenant negotiations and the acquisition, management and disposal of investment properties.

Solicitor Graham Atkinson and associate Mike Cooper are now the key Oxford contacts at Withy King LLP, following James Barnatt’s retirement in 2012.

Search News and Articles

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
© 2013 www.legal500.com