The Legal 500

Within M&A: smaller deals up to £50m, Forsters LLP is a second tier firm,

Craigie Pearson leads the group at Forsters LLP, which recently acted for three investors on their £30m investment into Pinnacle Regeneration Group. It also counts British Airways Pension fund and Soho House Group among its clients.

Within Commercial litigation Commercial litigation

Within Agriculture and estates, Forsters LLP is a second tier firm,

‘Prompt and proactive’, Forsters LLP has a first-class practice headed by the ‘vastly experienced’ Penny Elliott and Andrew Lane, both ex-Withers LLP, with the highly rated David Robinson and Rupert Mead providing additional expertise. The team advises on tax structuring, innovative leasing arrangements, and sales and purchases for over 90 substantial landed estates.

Within Charities and not-for-profit , tier 6

Charles Pike and Craigie Pearson are the key contacts at Forsters LLP, now that Julian Washington has left the practice. Notable instructions included advising on the ‘Chance to Shine’ appeal, which aims to restore competitive cricket to state schools.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, tier 4

Forsters LLP ‘punches above its weight’ in terms of the quality of its contentious instructions, which in 2010 included Chisholm, a key rectification case. Caroline Bassett is ‘top of the tree’, and Emily Exton has ‘sound commercial judgement’.

Within Family, tier 5

The ‘diligent and courteous’ Ann Northover and ‘personable’ Shona Alexander head the family team at Forsters LLP, which regularly handles complex international cases for high-net-worth individuals, including a raft of multi-jurisdictional pre-nups. The ‘quality’ team can also draw on the considerable trusts and tax expertise at the firm.

Within Heritage property, Forsters LLP is a third tier firm,

Forsters LLP has a ‘knowledgeable’ team including David Robinson, Rupert Mead and Catherine Hill, who is a consultant to the practice. It regularly advises private individuals with significant collections – as well as investors, auction houses and museums – on the complex tax rules affecting heritage chattels and land.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Forsters LLP is a second tier firm,

Forsters LLP has an expanding practice handling both domestic and offshore tax and trusts planning. Standout practitioners include Fiona Smith, who is ‘very knowledgeable and solutions orientated’; the ‘thoughtful’ Patrick Harney; and ‘problem solver’ Eliza Mellor. Practice head David Robinson is also recommended.

Within Commercial property, Forsters LLP is a third tier firm,

Forsters LLP has ‘a commercial approach and a good understanding of business needs’. It has a strong institutional investor client base, and advised Invista on selling Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe. On the development side, it acted for Warner Bros on a £100m-plus investment in the Leavesden Studio site. Hotel clients include Rocco Forte Collection. Clients appreciate the ‘continuity of individuals throughout projects’, and praise Sophie Hamilton, Guy Jordan, Howard Gill, Smita Edwards (noted for her ‘strong negotiation skills’) and Eugene McMahon (‘smart, streetwise, realistic’).

Within Construction, tier 5

Forsters LLP mainly acts on non-contentious matters. It recently advised Warner Brothers Studios on its £60m building and studio refurbishment programme at Leavesden. LK Harley, owner of the LK Bennett chain, is a new client. Sarah Cook heads the practice.

Within Planning, tier 4

Tim Taylor has taken over as head of planning at Forsters LLP, having replaced Michael Cunliffe, who is now a consultant. Taylor is acting for Warner Brothers on the Leavesden Studios redevelopment, which is set to become the UK’s largest film studio. The contentious side of the practice is well regarded, with Cunliffe recently representing Oxford Brookes University in winning dismissal of a challenge to its proposed campus building. He also won an appeal for Colonnade regarding its Bata Field housing scheme. The team’s public and private sector clients also include Menta Developments, Northacre, Center Parcs, and Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

Within Property finance, tier 4

Forsters LLP’s Victoria Edwards ‘has a superb business head and leads an excellent team’, which advised Colebourne Asset Management on refinancing a commercial property portfolio. The team keeps clients ‘fully informed of progress’.

Within Property litigation, Forsters LLP is a third tier firm,

Real estate is a core practice for Forsters LLP, which receives high praise from clients for its commercial awareness. Unusually, the property litigation practice has expertise in residential as well as commercial disputes, and represents clients including Invista Real Estate and Fujitsu Services. Practice head Jonathan Ross is recommended for his ‘straightforward and prompt advice’. Natasha Rees is noted for her enfranchisement experience.