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Delivering ‘prompt responses’, Blake Lapthorn’s client base includes developers and several Oxford colleges. The ‘very good’ Andrew Miscampbell recently advised Deutsche Bank on the property holdings of one of its subsidiaries. Liam Desmond has ‘sound technical knowledge’ and expertise in charity retail work, advising Age UK and Northmoor Trust.

Boyes Turner’s ‘commercial, competent and prompt’ five-partner team provides ‘first-class advice’. The ‘customer-focused’ Nick Carter handles the UK property portfolios of Ericsson, Trader Media and Computer Associates; Gary Parkinson is ‘strong and solid’; Peter Daniel acts for developers; Mark Appleton is ‘personable, knowledgeable and incisive’; and Derek Ching advises on environmental and planning issues. Associate William Nassau-Lake has ‘exceptional knowledge’.

Brookstreet Des Roches delivers ‘consistently good service’ and has longstanding property expertise, particularly within the electricity, gas, telecoms and retail sectors. Hugh Blaza acts for several landlord and tenant clients, and Martin Billings leads in developer work.

Field Seymour Parkes has ‘good, in-depth knowledge of the marketplace’. In 2010, it advised Bewley Homes and Development Securities in a joint venture for a £10m redevelopment scheme. Marcus Francis and James Burgess are recommended, and Dean Bickford is ‘approachable and professional’.

Manches LLP provides ‘commercially sound advice’ and is on the legal panels of Siemens and Oxford University. The ‘competent and professional’ team, led by Richard Smith, advised Bouygues Development on a £17m library and housing scheme development in Maidstone. Giles Clifford delivers an ‘excellent service’, and associate Dan Cowley has a ‘pragmatic approach’. John Castell joined Faegre & Benson LLP in 2011.

‘One of the strongest mid-market regional players’, and ‘as good as any West End firm’, Osborne Clarke has ‘high levels of proficiency in all areas’ and ‘invaluable expertise’, and advises the likes of Invesco Real Estate and Santander. Elizabeth Sturgess is a ‘very proactive all-round development lawyer’, and acts for Barratt Strategic and Persimmon. The ‘very capable’ Andrew Clayton handles property finance work.

With a ‘depth of knowledge’ and ‘excellent commercial awareness’, Pitmans LLP has an impressive roster of housebuilder clients that includes Banner and Linden Homes. The team advised on several acquisitions deals in 2010. Andrew Davies is ‘as good as you can get’, and Sally Sharp is also recommended. Paul Murray is an ‘exemplary communicator’ and ‘consummate negotiator’.

Shoosmiths has a ‘honest and commercial approach’. The ‘excellent’ Alan Corcoran advises care home operator Carebase on its UK acquisitions, and in 2010 the team was appointed to advise Krispy Kreme on its UK expansion. Andrew Farmery has a ‘great understanding’, and acts for Wagamama and McKay Securities. Farmery recently advised Regus Group on the re-gearing of its serviced office property portfolio.

Blandy & Blandy LLP provides ‘high-quality and comprehensive advice’, and advised Lloyds TSB Bank on a £4m financing for the acquisition of a multi-use park, and on the related refinancing of three further business parks. Jane Gunnell has ‘valuable expertise’, and Katja Wigham ‘puts arguments across clearly and convincingly’.

Darbys Solicitors LLP’s ‘very professional’ team features the ‘first-class’ Mark Taylor and Samantha Leigh, who is a ‘breath of fresh air’. It acts for several Oxford University colleges, and provides ‘exceptional value for money’.

The ‘very thorough’ Adrian White leads the practice at Henmans LLP, which is recommended for its ‘partner-led service’ and ‘proactive approach’. New clients in 2010 included ResMed (UK) and SCA Music Holdings (Sony). Lesley Pollock is ‘very knowledgeable, tenacious, commercial and personable’, and Patrick Whetter ‘thinks outside the box’.

‘Proactive and very approachable’ and with a ‘can-do attitude’, Morgan Cole advises clients from the health, banking, education and energy sectors. Ruth Leadbitter assisted the subsidiaries of MedicX Fund on eight primary healthcare facilities worth £35m. Reading-based associate Paul Brame acts for Santander.

In 2010, Brethertons LLP was appointed to the panels of Handelsbanken and Clydesdale/Yorkshire Bank for secured lending transactions. Tom Lawrence is recommended.

The ‘responsive’ Clarkslegal LLP advises Carillion, Lafarge and Air France. Rachel Krol and David Mills are advising the University of Reading on a £100m public procurement project. Associate Richard Higgs is ‘proactive’.

Clifton Ingram LLP has a ‘good depth of knowledge’; Tim Read is ‘very thorough, precise and timely’, and Chris Baggs is ‘knowledgeable, proactive and constructive’.

Olswang provides ‘good commercial responses’ and is noted for property-related secured lending transactions for the likes of Eurohypo and Santander. Carol Griffin advised UBS Global Asset Management regarding the portfolio sale of five multi-let properties. Michael Higgin joined from Shoosmiths in 2010.

Plainlaw solicitors has ‘outstanding’ niche property expertise. Philip Horn is ‘one of the best conveyancing lawyers in the UK’. New clients include Capcom and Cogent Communications.

With a ‘depth of experience’, Spratt Endicott’s two-partner team delivers ‘London-level experience at significantly lower rates’. Andrew Woods is ‘enthusiastic and always available’, and Guy Stephenson is recommended.

Thomas Eggar LLP reports an increase in secure lending work. The Newbury team of Biddy Walker, Richard Hornsby and Garrath Reayer are all recommended.

Withy King LLP impresses clients with its ‘professionalism, responsiveness and quality of advice’. Paul Daniels is recommended, and clients include Balliol College and Crown House Properties.

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