Boasting national and international clients from across the property finance, leisure, and agricultural sectors, the Blake Morgan LLP property services group has vast expertise in handling section 106 agreements, as well as landlord and tenant issues. The team works closely with the property litigation department to provide bespoke advice on dilapidation claims, and Southampton-based practice head, Oliver Sowton, specialises in all aspects of landlord and tenant service matters, including lease renewal management. Daniel Curtis focuses on property and development finance, while Elizabeth Covil supports companies with the disposal and asset management of commercial property. Iain Munro has experience of dealing with the developments of food retail outlets, and Hollie Jones routinely handles portfolio management issues for landlords. John Shallcross and Debbie Brown are also noted.

The Paris Smith LLP property and planning group is singled out by one client as ‘the perfect place to go for expert advice‘, covering the full spectrum of real estate work for major names within the property finance, leisure, and public sectors. John Mansell leads from the Southampton office, bringing extensive expertise on land acquisition and disposals to the group, while the ‘fantastic’ Joanne Spittles regularly handles complex development matters and acquisitions. Rachel Saint focuses on development agreements and conditional contracts, and Winchester-based Stuart Allen deals with structured lending proposals. Claire Long specialises in landlord and tenant issues, while Janet May boasts over 25 years’ experience in the public and private sector. Lisa Busby routinely advises technology companies, while Hannah Winchester acts for national retailers. Sean Hogan is another key contact.

Fielding a group of ‘great communicators’, the Shoosmiths LLP real estate team has ‘lots of practical experience’ of handling complex regeneration projects, large-scale financing schemes, and land development services. The group covers a wide breadth of issues, which includes advising on the interplay between property law and the electronic communications code, as well as assisting with nitrate mitigation initiatives. Joanne McGuinness leads the department, specialising in rail infrastructure and regeneration-related projects. Sara Hampson is noted as an expert on acquisitions and strategic aspects for residential and mixed-use development sites. Mehar Patel is ‘first class’, routinely handling property finance and portfolio management matters. Legal director Jess Ready has infrastructure expertise and is a trusted advisor to the national air traffic services. Katrina Spolander rounds out the roster of recommended practitioners.

Counting financial institutions, real estate agencies, and hospitality companies amongst its client base, the ‘superb’ Clarke Willmott LLP team has in-depth experience of handling commercial development matters and ground rent investment issues. Southampton-based practice head Andrew Cooper specialises in the buying and selling of commercial property for investment and trading, while Peter Swinburn focuses on portfolio management and property finance. Joseph Campbell regularly supports companies with acquisitions and disposals of freehold property, and Greg Goodman is knowledgeable on landlord and tenant issues. Kristian Johnson advises on the sale of freehold and leasehold property. Robert Hill joined the team from DAC Beachcroft LLP in September 2022.

Lester Aldridge LLP’s real estate group operates out of Southampton, demonstrating significant strength in advising on lender services, residential developments, and property investments. The practice is headed up by 'standout advisor' Tom Alder. Lucy Stevens receives regular instruction from hoteliers, landowners, and regional developers. Matthew Barrow is an expert on secured lending transactions and commercial property matters, while Bethan Dodd typically handles landlord and tenant issues. Roger Woolley specialises in major development projects, and Rebecca Humm assists with the drafting of planning and infrastructure agreements. Sian Rogers supports clients with distressed property work. David Fanchi joined from Foot Anstey in December 2022.

With expertise in matters ranging from acquisitions and disposals, to developments and refinancings, the predominantly Southampton-based commercial property team at Moore Barlow offers tailored advice to developers and banks. The practice is divided into separate departments: Jo Farr heads up the commercial property section from Guilford; Luc Algar, who has specialist experience of advising clients within the hospitality, transport, and logistics industries, leads the real estate element; Sam Willey oversees the land development offering; Jolanda Peters leads on leasehold enfranchisement; Zoe Owen is the contact for new build and plot sales issues; and Sarah Jordan oversees rural property work. Julian Parkes regularly manages investment property portfolios. Lee Edwards focuses on land development issues. Martin Duck is routinely instructed by national and regional house builders. Louise Campbell and William Warnock were both promoted to partner in May 2022.

Boasting a roster of clients from across the charity, finance and public sectors, the Trethowans LLP team is highly regarded for handling sizeable residential development initiatives and commercial property pension transactions. Southampton-based practice head Paul Longman has extensive experience of assisting syndicate investors with the acquisition and disposal of properties, while Garry Treagust is an expert on investment property matters who operates from the Salisbury office. Sarah Humphrey consistently assists regional and national charities from the Southampton office, and Guy Morgan focuses on the healthcare industry. Juliet Biddle and Jenni Wicheard both specialise in pension property matters and investment transactions. Senior associate Laura Towey deals with development agreements.

Exeter-based Richard Sutton heads up the Foot Anstey commercial property group, which shows considerable strength in the residential development, property finance, and commercial landlord spaces. In Southampton, Tim Wheen is the key senior contact, specialising in site acquisitions and the negotiation of planning agreements. Carol Phillips advises clients from the retail and leisure sectors, while legal director James Barnett leads on asset management work and assists large property companies. Nicola Sutton focuses on landlord and tenant matters, and Katie Taylor concentrates on handling disposals for institutional landlords.

Based out of Southampton and Chichester, the Irwin Mitchell team offers a specialised service spanning complex development projects and refinancing of property portfolios. Guy Sackett and Tina Webster co-head the group, with the former regularly handling urban regeneration projects, and the latter focusing on strategic land transactions and planning permission matters. Samuel Knight joined from Coffin Mew LLP in July 2022, bringing in-depth expertise in assisting landowners, housebuilders, and land promoters with nitrate neutrality schemes to the team.