The Legal 500

United Kingdom > Yorkshire and the Humber > Real estate

Editorial sections

Other

All countries

Commercial property: Leeds and West Yorkshire

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s practice is led by Bruce Lightbody and has an outstanding reputation for its sector knowledge. British Land recently instructed the firm in relation to the completion of more than 60 lettings at Meadowhall shopping centre. Other clients include Travelodge Hotels, Standard Life Investments, and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.

DLA Piper UK LLP has a sizeable real estate practice and is regularly involved in major projects. Recent examples include advising Keepmoat on housing market renewal pathfinder schemes, including issues such as overarching development agreements and the drawdown of initial development parcels. It also advised Tata Steel on aspects of the sale of its TCP business. Tim Field heads the practice in Leeds.

Eversheds LLP’s practice has a proven record in high-value investment transactions for established funds such as Legal & General, as well as advising blue-chip property companies Hammerson and Lend Lease on shopping centre asset management work. George Bacon and Steve Felstead are key figures. Adrian Hill recently left the firm for Muckle LLP.

Walker Morris’ clients include Land Securities’ Trinity Scheme, which instructs the firm on all property-related matters. The team is currently advising it in the negotiation of compromise agreements with several adjoining owners and occupiers. Other highlights included acting for Thornfield Properties in relation to the sale of Thornaby Town Centre to BAW Systems Pensions Funds Trustees. Jeremy Moore heads the practice.

Mark Owen heads Pinsent Masons LLP’s well-respected practice, which attracts high-profile instructions from quality clients. Recent examples include advising Evans Property Group on a joint venture with the University of York for the co-investment, management and operation of the newly built Goodricke College. Other new client wins include Aviva, Standard Life and Whitbread.

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ clients are ‘highly impressed’ with the team’s ‘excellent knowledge and expertise’ and ‘friendly approach’. Andrew Sprake heads the practice, which includes John Leake, ‘a lawyer of significant experience and ability’. Clients also recommend Prew Lumley and Karen French, who are ‘both highly motivated, efficient and commercial in their approach’.

Beachcroft is renowned for its capabilities in the public sector, and also has private sector clients including The General Practice Group and DB Schenker Rail. Simon Sherwood provides ‘a pragmatic, client-focused service, and demonstrates commitment’. Virginia Clegg is also recommended.

Clarion delivers ‘speedy and cost-effective solutions’, and is ‘commercial, pragmatic, diligent and very attentive’. Martin Grange heads the practice, which has particular expertise advising housebuilders.

Led by Andrew Flounders, Cobbetts LLP ‘provides quality advice’, and valued for its ‘swift response times’. New client wins include Jet2 and the Berens Group. Jonathan Crew is recommended.

The team at DWF LLP is ‘always reliable’ and ‘pays great attention to detail’. Clients include Countrywide. Nic Crocker is the key partner contact.

Dickinson Dees LLP’s practice is headed by David Stone. It advised York Investors LLP on the sale and development agreement for the construction of the proposed new building for York City Council.

Dixon Law has a strong reputation in healthcare, advising GPs and developers on the imminent abolition of PCTs. Other key instructions included acting on the disposal to an investor of one of the last remaining tenanted buildings at Monks Cross Business Park in York. Colin Dixon is the key contact.

Ford & Warren’s practice is headed by Mark Crabtree. Examples of recent work include representing Punch Group in a disposal programme which involved the sale of over 1,000 public houses. Verder and Surcoat Group are clients.

Gordons LLP’s recent highlights include acting for Centre Island in the acquisition and construction of a new Holiday Inn Express hotel in Manchester. Other clients include LF Europe and Gleadell Agriculture. Barbara Rollin heads the practice.

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s well-respected practice recently represented Hallam Land/Henry Boot in relation to a new mixed-use development at Bridgwater in Somerset. Practice head John Flathers is ‘an invaluable legal adviser’.

Lee & Priestley LLP is noted for its ‘excellent level of service’ and ‘strong industry knowledge’. Recent advice includes an acquisition for Jack Lunn of a portfolio of Skipton Building Society branches on a purchase and leaseback basis. Practice head David Coleman ‘offers firm advice’ and is ‘always accessible’.

The ‘excellent’ practice at Lupton Fawcett LLP is headed by David Whitaker, and in 2010 added David Bowden from Watson Burton LLP. In 2010 the team received a number of instructions from Marsdens Development, including the purchase of a listed building in Park Square.

At Schofield Sweeney, the partners are ‘well connected’ and the practice ‘provides a seamless service’. The team is headed by Darren Birkinshaw and includes Richard Innes, who joined in 2010 from Walker Morris. Recent highlights include acting for Handelsbanken in the refinancing of a property portfolio valued at over £60m.

Ward Hadaway’s practice continues to prosper, with recent instructions including advice to Allied London Group relating to retail lettings in the Spinningfields development in Manchester. Kevin Weston and Judy Fawcett are the key partners in the group.

Watson Burton LLP’s clients include Barnsley College, Niche Homes and Mansion Group. The team has recently been advising Austin Reed on new store openings on the high street and in shopping centres.

Commercial property: Sheffield, South Yorkshire

DLA Piper UK LLP’s large and well-respected practice is headed by Nigel Howard, and is regularly involved in major transactions. Recent highlights include acting for Keepmoat on housing market renewal pathfinder schemes valued at around £20m, and representing Sheffield City Council in the competitive dialogue process to select a private sector partner for Sheffield Local Housing Company. The firm is also a trusted adviser to Tata Steel, Barclays, National Express and HSBC.

Nabarro LLP’s renowned five-partner practice continues to grow in depth, regularly gaining instructions from across the UK and overseas. Highlights in 2010 included acting for Land Securities on the completion of two lettings at the White Rose Centre in Leeds, and advising Swiss retail giant Migros on the real estate aspects of two corporate acquisitions. Niall Logan is the practice’s key figure.

Irwin Mitchell LLP’s ‘wonderful team’ provides a ‘fantastic service’. It is led by Kevin Docherty, who is ‘wise’ and ‘a good leader’, and now includes the highly regarded Paul Firth, who joined from DLA Piper UK LLP. It acted for Hallam Land Management on a complex development project, advising on issues such as site acquisition and assembly and obtaining planning permission.

Commercial property: North and East Yorkshire

Andrew Jackson is a ‘leader in the area’ and has ‘good business acumen’. The experienced nine-partner team counts ABP, Carpetright and Heron Frozen Food as longstanding clients, and has also been advising Humberside Police Authority, Baker Tilly and Bridgeland Developments. Practice head Bill Fisher’s ‘quality stands out in major cases’.

Gosschalks’ practice is led by Dick Llewellyn. Its clients include a leading bookmaker and a number of pub portfolio owners, and it has been increasing its capabilities on the development side, both locally and nationally.

Langleys’ practice is headed by Tim Cross, who joined the firm in 2010 from Lupton Fawcett LLP. Recent work includes advising York St John University on a development agreement and lease concerning a student residential scheme.

Rollits LLP is appreciated for its ‘technical and practical knowledge of the sector’ and its ‘excellent business acumen’. Neil Franklin heads the team, which advises across multiple sectors.

Construction

Clients ‘have nothing but praise’ for Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s practice, which has been very active in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Highlights included advising Gregory Properties on its £50m mixed-use regeneration scheme in Halifax town centre, and acting for GMI Property on the £22m redevelopment of Clay Cross in Derbyshire. Mark Hilton and David Shaw are key figures in the practice, and Simon Palmer has ‘a combination of great charm and skill’.

Mark Harris heads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which has an enviable client base including Balfour Beatty, Shaw Group and South Yorkshire Fire and Civil Defence Authority. The team is experienced in complex projects in the waste, health, power, education and rail sectors. Alongside Harris, Nigel Blundell and Simon Plunkett are well-respected figures in the market.

DLA Piper UK LLP’s practice is praised as ‘customer focused and approachable, with a “can-do” approach’. It is regularly involved in high-value transactions, and recently advised JD Sports Fashion on the construction of its new warehouse and distribution centre in the North West. Other clients include Bullock Construction, Leeds City Council and Priory Group. Julie Morrissy heads the department.

Eversheds LLP’s construction practice is led by Andrew Symms and is strong in the retail and energy sectors. Recent clients include Doosan Power Systems, Asda, McCain Foods, and Eastman Chemical Workington. Jo Hatton-Jones, who specialises in non-contentious construction matters, is also recommended.

Hawkswell Kilvington LLP is a well-established construction boutique with ‘extensive knowledge and experience’. Jonathan Hawkswell provides ‘good, practical and tactical advice’, and David Kilvington’s ‘particular strength is his ability to focus on the essential issues’; ‘his advice is always sound and pragmatic’. Recent work includes preparing all construction-related documentation for Hallam Land Management, and advising in relation to a link road construction project.

Nabarro LLP’s ‘overall level of service is very good’. It has been acting for a leading integrated waste management company on a number of complex waste management schemes across the UK. The firm also secured a place on the Hanson panel to advise on construction and engineering matters, and advised Shepherd Engineering Services on two MoD projects and the refurbishment of Shell’s UK headquarters. Martin McKervey heads the practice, and James Duckworth is ‘always available to give practical and commercial advice’.

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ construction practice has ‘depth’ and a ‘good understanding of the technical aspects of the industry’. The non-contentious team has particular expertise in energy, regeneration and development finance, while the contentious practice spans mediation, adjudication, arbitration and litigation. Practice head Zakir Mulla has ‘excellent commercial judgement’ and ‘in-depth knowledge of construction contracts’.

Led by Martin Scott, Walker Morris is regularly instructed on high-profile contentious and non-contentious matters. It acted for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in its purchase of the £20m Gateway Plaza scheme, while on the contentious side it is instructed by Turkish contractor Gulermak in connection with major disputes arising from the Marmany Project, involving the construction of a railway tunnel under the Bosphorous Strait.

Beachcroft’s practice is led by the ‘extremely impressive’ Andrew Marsh, who specialises in contentious work alongside Simon Arnold. Associate Christine Burrows focuses on the non-contentious side. Clients include Liverpool City Council and General Practice Group.

At Cobbetts LLP, the ‘service levels are excellent’, and ‘responses are swift’. Recent work includes advising Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust in relation to the future redevelopment of the Everyman and refurbishment of the Playhouse theatres; Premier Inn Stratford in respect of a new hotel in the Olympic zone; and Leeds City Council on the procurement and construction documents for a new city-centre arena project. Penny Tate is the key contact.

Environment

DLA Piper UK LLP has a ‘very good-quality’ practice. It is regularly called on to advise on climate change issues, and is increasingly active in relation to the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. Other areas of expertise include contaminated land. The team recently advised ICL in relation to its offer to acquire the Global Professional Business of the Scotts Miracle-Gro company. Teresa Hitchcock ‘understands issues, and is very experienced and responsive’.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s Leeds practice works in conjunction with the firm’s London and Manchester offices. Significant work in 2010 included advice to a potential foreign investor in relation to the Feed-in Tariff scheme, concerning the installation of renewable energy infrastructure in commercial buildings. Amanda Beresford is the key figure in the Leeds team.

Eversheds LLP’s team has ‘excellent industry knowledge’, and includes ‘high-quality senior associates’. In 2010 it advised Mitchells & Butler in relation to the environmental aspects of letting 52 budget hotels to Travelodge and the simultaneous sale of the investment in 44 of the hotels to Prupim; and also on the environmental aspects of the disposal of its Hollywood Bowl business to AMF Banking.

Nabarro LLP’s team works closely with its London counterparts, advising clients including Augean, Polimeri and Millenium Inorganic Chemicals. Ray Clarke is ‘an excellent leader’ and ‘an astute negotiator’, and Nicola Power is ‘first class’, with ‘wide subject knowledge’. The team is valued for its ‘prompt, professional service’.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a highly regarded practice led by Helen Peters. The team was involved in advising Yule Catto & Co on its €443m acquisition of PolymerLatex from Towerbrook Capital Partners. Other clients include Hanson Group, Cargill, and Veolia Environmental Services.

Planning

Cobbetts LLP enjoys an excellent reputation, particularly within the energy sector, where recent work includes advising Warwick Energy on the planning aspects of a wind farm development off the Norfolk coast. It also acts for a number of public sector clients, including Pendle Borough Council, which instructed it in relation to an upcoming compulsory purchase inquiry for a new school. David Hardy heads the practice.

Squire Sanders Hammonds’ ‘excellent’ practice has considerable strength, and the capacity to carry out major instructions. It continues to advise Peel Energy in relation to a large wind farm proposal in Cheshire, and also advised Stobart Group on the development of an airfreight distribution depot at Carlisle Airport. Other clients include National Grid and SP Manweb. David Goodman heads the practice, with Philip Maude and Richard Glover also recommended.

Walker Morris’ flourishing practice is headed by Andrew Williamson. Recent highlights including acting for a range of housebuilder clients in pursuing major planning appeals against Leeds City Council, and it also advised Broadland Properties on the planning application and appeal for airport offsite long-stay parking. The team includes Richard Sagar and Chris Slater.

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s sector expertise includes transport, infrastructure and retail, with recent work including advising Sainsbury’s in relation to its national portfolio and planning agreements. Amanda Beresford is the key partner contact in the Leeds office.

Glenn Sharpe heads the team at DLA Piper UK LLP, whose project work includes proposals relating to the Electricity Act, energy-from-waste power stations and waste PFI projects. The team has also been advising National Air Traffic Services Limited (NATS).

Dickinson Dees LLP’s practice is led by Jocelyn Denton and is noted for its ‘good knowledge’. It is advising the London Borough of Newham on the Stratford City Scheme, a £4bn scheme for the regeneration of 180 acres of land around the new international passenger station at Stratford.

Nabarro LLP’s Tim Shaw has particular expertise in large-scale projects, such as advising Harworth Estates (Waverley Prince) in relation the creation of a new community in South Yorkshire. Consultant Ray Clarke oversees the department.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s practice is led by Jonathan Riley, and is regularly called on to advise key institutions in the region such as Leeds City Council and the University of Leeds. Recent highlights include advising the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust on a CPO for the 17-acre site of the Midland Metropolitan Hospital.

Under the leadership of Mark Dixon, Rollits LLP enjoys an enviable reputation. Highlights in 2010 included acting for The Kingswood Parks Development Company in relation to forward planning, planning agreement and infrastructure advice for its 600-acre mixed-use site in north Hull.

Property litigation

Addleshaw Goddard LLP has recently been busy advising on insolvency and enforcement matters, as well as its other core areas including contested property litigation and arbitration, transactional work and asset management. Julie Middlemass heads the practice, which has been advising institutional landlords such as Threadneedle, Standard Life and Scottish Widows, and corporate occupiers such as Primark, Travelodge, Lloyds Pharmacy, and Sainsbury’s. Recent work includes working with Bradford & Bingley to develop its risk management strategies on forfeiture claims by landlords of properties held as security.

DLA Piper UK LLP acts for an impressive array of clients including Arcadia Group, Dixons Retail, Mothercare, and the Coal Authority. Areas of specialism include minerals litigation, public sector, telecoms and commercial landlord/tenant matters. Petra Billing in Sheffield and Matthew Lonergan and John Kittle in Leeds are the practice’s leading individuals.

Under Matthew Baker, Pinsent Masons LLP has a broad practice that includes property cases with public law aspects and complex property disputes. Recent work includes representing Marcus Heaney in the substantial rights of light case concerning the Toronto Square property in central Leeds, which has come to be recognised as the current authority on rights of light injunctions.

Squire Sanders Hammonds is ‘one of the top players in this field’, and attracts praise for its ‘excellent, speedy service and first-class knowledge’. Clients include Royal Mail, Trinity Mirror, a number of local authorities, and Manchester City Airport. Practice head Patrick Walker is highly recommended, as is Sally Lodge.

Walker Morris is known for its experience in mortgage fraud, solicitors’ and surveyors’ negligence, insolvency and housing litigation. It also has a growing reputation in ‘green’ law matters. Recent highlights include acting for a major high street lender in relation to a multimillion-pound professional negligence case. Clients include Netto, Hyde Housing and Specsavers. Practice head Andrew Beck is a highly respected figure in the market.

Cobbetts LLP’s recent highlights include acting for a northern-based housing association in defending a multimillion-pound property development dispute. It also acts for private clients, and recently advised in relation to a substantial land drainage dispute involving a major development. Stephen Green is noted for his expertise in commercial and residential landlord and tenant issues.

DWF LLP is valued for its ‘excellent quality of service’. It has been advising South Lakeland District Council on matters including the strategy and procedure for deregistration of common land, associated planning matters and applications to carry out work on common land.

Eversheds LLP is noted for its ‘good commercial awareness, strong team working and good legal analysis’. Lead partner Alison Oldfield is recommended, along with new partner Damian Hyndman. The firm has been appointed sole property adviser to the Department of Environment Farming and Rural Affairs.

The ‘excellent’ team at Nabarro LLP ‘performs to the highest standards’. In 2010, it represented new client Cineworld in a £1.1m dilapidations claim, a case involving an abandoned cinema and complex reinstatement provisions in the lease. Stephen Scott is the key partner contact.

Social housing

Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s social housing finance team is led by Lee Shankland, and is a trusted adviser to a number of prestigious clients including Yorkshire Building Society, which it recently advised in relation to facilities to Bedfordshire Pilgrims HAL, Contour Homes Limited and Raglan HAL.

Cobbetts LLP remains busy on matters including mortgage rescue work for RSLs, acquisitions, mortgage security and plot sales. It is also a leader in community land trusts, and was recently appointed to the panel for Arena Housing. Ian Moran is the main partner contact, and director Julie Cowan-Clark is ‘practical, thorough, diligent and an excellent negotiator’.

Emsleys Solicitors acts for clients in the North of England, with a particular focus on anti-social behaviour litigation.

Pinsent Masons LLP is one of the principal advisers to the Homes and Communities Agency.

Rollits LLP’s clients include the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust and Yorkshire Housing. Douglas Oliver is the key partner contact.

Schofield Sweeney’s Andrew Hurst is highly regarded in this area.

Chris Woodthorpe and Paul Walker lead the practice at Walker Morris, which was recently appointed to the Homes and Communities Agency’s Northern panel.

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

  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
    - 11KBW

  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
    - 11KBW

  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
    - 11KBW

  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
    - 11KBW

  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
    - 11KBW

  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
    - 11KBW

  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
    - 11KBW

  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
    - 11KBW

  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.
    - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

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
© 2012 www.legal500.com