GSC Solicitors LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

GSC Solicitors LLP
31-32 ELY PLACE
LONDON
ECIN 6TD
England

Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 3

The real estate team at GSC Solicitors LLP uses ‘cutting edge and innovative legal thinking combined with commercial savvy' to advise bluechip corporate clients, major hotel owners, fast food franchise owners, and high-net worth individuals on a variety of matters. The firm’s strength and focus is on contentious landlord and tenant work as well as acquisitions, developments, and financing matters. Practice head Harvey Posener provides ‘unparalleled service' with his extensive experience in advising large corporate occupiers on leasing and acquisitions whilst Peter Belcher is ‘extremely well-reputed' for his focus on the hotel, banking, leisure, and healthcare sectors regarding commercial property transactions.

Practice head(s):

Harvey Posener

Other key lawyers:

Peter Belcher; Matthew Phillips; Amee Popat; Carole Jospeh

Testimonials

‘GSC have an exceptional team of professionals that are hugely experienced in commercial property transactions. Peter Belcher has a wealth of transactions in the hospitality sector.’

‘Peter Belceher is extremely approachable and very through. He is vastly experienced in this sector and is extremely well reputed in the industry.’

‘GSC provide an exceptional service – cutting edge and innovative legal thinking combined with commercial savvy.’

‘Harvey Posener leads the team and provides an unparalleled service in terms of legal advice, strategic thinking, commercial application and responsiveness.’

‘Flexible in their approach and advice. Commercial acumen is strong. Vast Knowledge and Experience in property matters. Good client relations.’

Key clients

Universal Music Operations Limited

Freshwater Group of Companies

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4

GSC Solicitors LLP  is a ‘well established and diverse small firm with various specialists under the one roof. The key strength of GSC is its commercial approach to problems'. Saleem Sheikh spearheads the department that acts for internationally UHNW and often high profile clients ( including some oligarchs), significant families and owners of blue-chip companies. Sheikh is also qualified as an arbitrator and mediator. James Cohen  is skilled at drafting wills, lasting powers of attorney and other matters involving offshore structuring and probate matters. Amanda Chapman is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Saleem Sheikh

Other key lawyers:

James Cohen; Amanda Chapman

Testimonials

‘The GSC team was highly responsive. They helped to move along a difficult negotiation that required almost constant attention. We didn’t need to prompt or remind. Things just got done. This wasn’t just with one lawyer, but across the board. Saleem Sheikh is a great strategic adviser. We were impressed by  James Cohen’s client focus and assistance’.

‘Excellent personal and knowledgeable service, commercial, and professional approach. We have had a strong and long relationship with GSC and would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone requiring legal services. We have worked with Saleem Sheikhand James Cohen  -they are both outstanding’.

‘Excellent service by James Cohen for the Probate on my mother’s estate. Highly recommended. James Cohen –  very easy to talk to and quick response to all my questions’.

‘Have dealt with James Cohen and Saleem Sheikh. Pleased to say that their approach has always been personal, professional topped with commercial acumen’.

‘My Partner was James Cohen. James was very calm and professional throughout the duration of the engagement. This was particularly helpful as I would rely on James to liaise directly with the partner of the deceased on my behalf from time to time’.

‘The team covers all aspects and is young enough to relate to all types of client. James Cohen and his colleagues are extremely thorough and diligent’.

‘An efficient legal team with James Cohen our Partner who has dealt with many facets of structures and IHT planning for our business. The firm is meticulous and has given sound advice to us’.

‘James Cohen and he is one of the most professional ethical and authentic lawyers we have come across. He listens, understands the needs of all stakeholders when providing his advice. He is authentic and young dynamic individual who comes with alternate recommendations and solutions and delivers this advice without any pressure. A knowledgeable individual who has worked on many family law and estate matters and would highly recommend him to future clients as a testimony. He listens and then acts with gravitas!’.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment (including media finance) Tier 5

Music industry bodies such as PPL, VPL, and PRS entrust GSC Solicitors LLP to act for them on a variety of matters, whereas other clients come to the firm for its expertise in advertising and branding. Practice head Justin Goldspink leverages his expertise as a barrister to represent clients in music, copyright, and branding litigation.

Practice head(s):

Justin Goldspink; Clive Halperin

Other key lawyers:

Ross Waldram

Testimonials

‘The skillsets within GSC are exceptional. They are a legal firm that understands fully the commercial impacts to our business and offer advice based upon not only legal positions but commercial judgement as well.’

‘Clive Halperin, in my opinion, stands above the crowd. He takes the time to fully understand our business and what we are trying to achieve and his knowledge is second to none based upon my experience with numerous other legal firms across the years.’

‘It’s so refreshing to deal with a firm of solicitors who have a wealth of experience within copyright law and are always at hand to answer any questions and attend weekly meetings to discuss the different cases that they are instructed on.’

‘Ross Waldram and Justin Goldspink are incredible in providing invaluable advice and guidance to us on our copyright infringement cases. They will respond immediately to any queries we have. They have gone above and beyond in supporting our new starters with complex referrals and always have time for us, even though we are fully aware on how busy they are. A great example of creating harmonious client relations.’

Key clients

Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)

PPL PRS Limited

CanO Water Limited

Barmy Army Limited

Work highlights

  • Representing Phonographic Performance Limited before the Copyright Tribunal in respect of the tariff for the use of its sound recordings at events such as discos in nightclubs, pubs/bars, hotels and restaurants.
  • Acting for Phonographic Performance Limited and PRS Limited in respect of the enforcement of the rights of PPL and PRS in sound recordings and musical works.
  • Acting for CanO Water on the growth and protection of the brand in the EU and internationally.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 6

GSC Solicitors LLP's team routinely acts in litigation in the Commercial Court, as well as in other business and property courts, and the Court of Appeal. Michael Shapiro is a commercial, contractual and shareholder disputes expert, while senior consultant Barry Samuels 'does not stop working until he gets results'.

Practice head(s):

Michael Shapiro

Other key lawyers:

Barry Samuels; Richard Curtin; Mark Richardson; Sana Sheikh

Testimonials

‘GSC brings together an incredibly wide range of specialists within a small firm. Its expertise ranges from media law, to construction disputes and international fraud.’

‘Very hardworking team with exceptional star quality. These lawyers know how to win a case.’

‘Michael Shapiro has provided expert advice on litigation, which has seen us successful in all our cases.’

‘Barry Samuels is outstanding for client care and attention, experience, profound knowledge and immediate responses. The firm’s charges are also reasonable.’

‘The vastly experienced Barry Samuels is sage and unflappable – the standout individual in this talented team.’

‘Barry Samuels – a living legend of the market. A lawyer who does not stop working until he gets results.

‘Barry Samuels is brilliant and approachable. He was born to litigate!’

Senior associate Sana Sheikh – a real future star in the making. Exceptionally bright and will go far. 

Work highlights

  • Acting for Elena and Olga Rostropovich, children of the world-famous cellist, in a dispute involving a Sotheby’s auction of their father’s valuable artefacts.
  • Representing Universal Music (UM) in a dispute with Gardiner &Theobald over UM’s King’s Cross HQ building.
  • Acting for Meritcape in a right of light dispute involving a high-value central London property development.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 6

GSC Solicitors LLP is active in refinancing mandates for clients in the retail, hospitality and care home sectors, as well as for high-net-worth individuals with extensive residential portfolios. Peter Belcher sits at the helm of the practice, advising on acquisition and development finance matters. Matthew Phillips is also of note for his work in secured lending for fast food franchise owners and commercial tenants.

Practice head(s):

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team works closely with its clients and is very responsive, keeps confidentiality at all times and seems client oriented.’

‘The team is extremely effective and solved various challenging issues in order to meet very short deadlines.’

‘GSC Solicitors are extremely well reputed in this sector and able to understand the clients requirements and the requirements of the financial institution. They understand property and have rich expertise in this sector.’

‘Problem solvers – the team appreciates the commerciality aspect and is able to focus on what makes a difference rather than irrelevant legal points.’

‘Personalised service and availability, commercially focused, and long-term relationships built.’

‘Peter Belcher is well respected amongst financial institutions which gives banks the comfort they need.’

‘Carole Joseph has great availability; clients love to work with her, and she is commercially oriented.’

‘Carole Joseph shows incredible productivity and professionalism in day-to-day support.’

Corporate and commercial > M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m

GSC Solicitors LLP‘s corporate and commercial team works across a range of sectors, with niche expertise in the life sciences,  pharmaceutical, healthcare, and technology sectors. Team head Clive Halperin, a qualified pharmacist, has a particular interest in technology and artificial intelligence. David Nathan  has particular expertise in the hospitality and care home sectors.

Practice head(s):

Clive Halperin

Other key lawyers:

David Nathan

Testimonials

‘David Nathan is extremely diligent and thorough in commercial transactions.’

Key clients

Factotum Group

Founded in 1972, this boutique City firm advises both business and private clients. Historically renowned for its premium commercial property expertise and international private client work, over the decades the firm has expanded into a full-service firm with corporate, litigation, real estate, employment, immigration, banking and tax practices. Clients range from corporates, listed companies, to small and medium-sized enterprises and high-net-worth individuals, in the UK and overseas. GSC Solicitors LLP is the only medium-sized law firm that speaks over 16 foreign languages in house, with dedicated international desks to help overseas clients who come from the five continents.

The firm’s biggest asset is client relationship. Some of GSC’s clients stay with the firm for as long as over 30 years, that inspired the well-established programme ‘GSC’s Next Gen’. The programme is aimed at the next generation of entrepreneurs, professionals and successors of family businesses ensuring that the next generation are well equipped for the business challenges in complex business environment.

GSC’s entrepreneurial thinking has enabled the firm to become a trusted advisor to businesses. The firm is known for its holistic understanding of business, technology and the climate that businesses operate. The firm’s partners are included in the CityWealth Leaders’ List, International Membership Network ‘Abacus International’, where GSC is just one of very few law firms that represents UK’s legal professionals; and GSC’s senior partner Saleem Sheikh was recognised by the unbeatable award from The Magic Circle as the ‘Entrepreneurial Individual’ – a small selection of firm’s achievements to mention.

Types of work undertaken
Commercial property: The department, led by Harvey Posener, acts for institutional investors, corporate occupiers, private entrepreneurs and professional landlords. It has extensive experience representing major occupiers, particularly in the hotel and leisure, franchised business, and healthcare sectors. The department offers significant market reputation and experience in commercial property development, funding, leases and sales.

Property finance: The department, headed by Peter Belcher, advises on secured and unsecured corporate lending and security arrangements, merger and acquisition financing, refinancing and development funding, financial restructuring and venture capital. It also deals with legal due diligence, warranties, covenants and inter-creditor issues. The department manages property financing of a number of international major fast food franchises, each with a large number of outlets; and is also specialised in the healthcare sector, helping owners and operators deal with all aspects of real estate financing in this highly regulated industry.

Residential real estate: GSC’s lawyers deal with high value conveyancing throughout England and Wales, including Crown property and other historical estates. The firm offers exceptional understanding of the complex issues including finding the best way that fits seamlessly with tax, family and private wealth management.

Construction: The GSC team acts for developers, contractors, Project Managers, sub-contractors, consultants and funders involved in the construction industry. They provide advice on all aspects of the construction procurement process, from contracts and development agreements to collateral warranties and third-party rights. The construction team is headed by Stephen Jones.

Planning law: The department headed by Philip Kratz, has an extensive experience in all aspects of planning and development related law, from complicated planning-conditional acquisitions, to enforcement notice issues.

Private client and trusts: The team headed by GSC’s senior partner, Saleem Sheikh, has a particular focus on advising on international private wealth providing high net worth individuals, families and entrepreneurs with holistic, tailored advice in relation to their interests both in the UK and further afield. The team is known for its strong track record in a broad range of private client issues, such as the setting up of both onshore and offshore trusts for wealth preservation, succession planning to help ensure family businesses pass down through generations without being unduly burdened with tax liabilities, as well as helping entrepreneurs to realise the sale of their successful venture in the most tax efficient way. The group helps ensure family businesses are properly structured so they can pass from generation to generation without being unduly burdened with tax liabilities and family disputes.

Tax investigation and disputes: GSC’s  experts, led by Saleem Sheikh, comprise of highly specialised professionals with experience in handling high level tax investigations. The team helps companies and individuals who are facing tax litigation, including white collar crime/fraud charges and regulatory offences. Services include negotiating with tax authorities, assisting in making voluntary discloses if unpaid tax and advising on legal professional privilege issues.

Business crime and regulatory: The group at GSC Solicitors headed by Khurram Arif, has a well-established reputation based on its strong experience in dealing with fraud, business crime, tax and litigation. The group advises both corporate and individual clients and is uniquely placed by their understanding of the commercial environment and their clients’ business interests. The team represents clients during interviews, criminal or regulatory investigations and any Court proceedings in a wide spectrum of areas, such as fraud and asset tracing, money laundering, extradition proceedings, bribery and corruption.

Corporate and commercial: Headed by Clive Halperin, the  work covers all aspects of commercial issues, from start-ups to stock exchange flotation and includes company and business sales and purchases, joint ventures, management buy-outs and institutional buy-ins, company financing and restructuring, venture capital investment, partnership and shareholder issues and agreements. With significant proportion of its work having an international scope, the corporate commercial team also advises on all forms of commercial contracts including agency and distribution, franchising, management agreements, lending and security documentation, sponsorship and marketing agreements and standard terms and conditions of trade. The department’s expertise spans a broad spectrum of commercial issues in a wide range of sector areas from manufacturing to technology and from marketing to healthcare. The firm works for long established businesses and businesses operating new operating models that may not have existed a few years ago.

Media and intellectual property: GSC’s team, led by Justin Goldspink, is well known for its work in the music industry and has a particular focus on online IP issues. The team is specialised in the protection of intellectual property rights at the High Court and the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. The firm’s IP experts advise help clients on every stage of product or brand’s lifecycle. The firm works in many sectors from fashion to music, from sport to fast moving consumer goods. Trademarks is another key specialism of the firm.

Technology and internet law: GSC’s specialist group has an established record of innovation and experience in the technology and IT sector and specialised in all aspects of internet and digital business. Clients range includes business is in virtual reality, cloud computing, e-commerce and mobile tech.

Commercial litigation and dispute resolution: Under Michael Shapiro, the  department handles all forms of disputes, including landlord and tenant, commercial contracts (with international element), debt recovery, emergency injunctions, contested probate and professional negligence. From start to finish the team adopts a commercial and cost-effective approach, designed to achieve an outcome that works for their clients and their business. The international clientele is mostly handled by Barry Samuels, who has decades of hands-on experience in dispute resolution with overseas clients, from global brands to ultra-high net worth individuals – in the Courts, at specialist tribunals or using arbitration and mediation.

Insolvency and restructuring group: GSC’s headed by Michael Shapiro provides expert and commercial advice in all areas of insolvency, corporate recovery, restructuring and turn-around situations. The team is able to deal with major restructurings and formal insolvencies through to representing individual creditors and other stakeholders. The group has significant experience in helping companies in financial difficulty, lenders and investors, turnaround specialists and insolvency practitioners. They advise on business rescues, work-outs, the enforcement of security rights, the protection of creditors’ interests, receivership, liquidation, corporate and individual voluntary arrangements, administrations as well as directors’ duties and responsibilities. Clients include banks and financial institutions, insolvency practitioners, creditors, debtors, companies and directors.

Employment: The department is headed by David Nathan and acts for individuals and companies on appointments, all forms of discrimination, dismissal, boardroom disputes, TUPE transfers, redundancy, compromise agreements, employee rights and employment contracts. They also handle High Court litigation for breach of contract including injunctions to enforce restrictive covenants, actions for breach of copyright and confidentiality and high value claims for non-payment of bonuses. For terminations of senior executives, the team is also able to advise on related issues such as shareholder rights and company law issues.

Corporate and private immigration: The team is specialised in all aspects of UK immigration. The team advises both EU and non-EU individuals and companies who wish to invest, work or set up business in the UK. The team also handles all aspects of sponsorship for UK employers who may want to employ non-EU nationals or transfer existing staff based overseas to the UK. For their private clients, they provide a specialist personalised service to support individuals and families moving to the UK, advising on the best solution to help the client relocate, obtain permanent residence and British Citizenship. The immigration team also has a strong track record in winning complex appeals.

Notary services: GSC also provides to to both private and corporate clients.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Senior Partner Saleem R Sheikhsrsheikh@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Business Crime & Regulatory Khurram Arifkarif@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Construction Peter Belcherplbecher@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Corporate & Commercial Clive Halperincjhalperin@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Corporate & Commercial David Nathandnathan@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Employment David Nathandnathan@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Intellectual Property & Media Justin Goldspinkjgoldspink@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Litigation & Dispute Resolution; Insolvency & Restructuring Michael Shapiromshapiro@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Barry Samuelsbsamuels@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Personal & Business Tax James Cohenjcohen@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Private Client & Trusts Saleem R Sheikhsrsheikh@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Private Client % Trusts James Cohenjcohen@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Property Finance Peter Belcherplbelcher@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Real Estate Harvey Posenerhdposener@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Real Estate Peter Belcherplbeclher@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Tax Investigations & Disputes Saleem R Sheikhsrsheikh@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Technology & Internet Law Clive Halperincjhalperin@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Business Crime & Regulatory Khurram Arifkarif@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Planning Law Philip Kratzpkratz@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Real Estate Amee Popatapopat@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Construction Stephen Jonessjones@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Corporate Commercial, IP, Litigation, Real Estate Richard Southallrsouthall@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
Consultant, Real Estate Carole Josephcjoseph@gscsolicitors.com02078222222
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Peter Belcher photo Peter BelcherPartner specialising in commercial property transactions, particularly hotels, leisure, nursing homes and…
Justin Goldspink photo Justin GoldspinkJustin is a barrister specialising in media and intellectual property, particularly copyright…
Clive Halperin photo Clive HalperinPartner specialising in commercial and corporate law, including corporate finance, acquisitions, disposals,…
Carole Joseph photo Carole JosephConsultant specialising in all aspects of both commercial and residential property conveyancing…
Philip Kratz photo Philip KratzConsultant. Philip specialises in all aspects of planning and development related law,…
David Nathan photo David NathanPartner specialising in corporate and employment law. Experience in advising on all…
Matthew Phillips photo Matthew PhillipsPartner specialising in both commercial property and residential conveyancing; experienced in acting…
Amee Popat photo Amee PopatPartner specialising in commercial property transactions for a wide range of clients…
Harvey Posener photo Harvey PosenerPartner; acting in substantial commercial sales and purchases and leases; high-value residential…
Mark Richardson photo Mark RichardsonSenior Associate Solicitor
Barry Samuels photo Barry SamuelsBarry deals with a wide variety of disputes (many with an international…
Michael Shapiro photo Michael ShapiroPartner and head of commercial litigation specialising in landlord and tenant, property,…
Saleem Sheikh photoMr Saleem SheikhSenior partner specialising in international and offshore tax structures, arbitration and dispute…
Sana Sheikh photo Sana SheikhSenior Associate Solicitor
Ross Waldram photo Ross WaldramRoss Waldram is a Senior Associate solicitor with a broad practice but…
Number of UK partners : 10
Number of other UK fee-earners : 20
Consultants : 4
Gujarati
Hindi
Italian
Kazakh
Chinese (Mandarin and dialects)
Punjabi
Russian
Shanghainese
Swahili
Urdu
Spanish and Valencian
Bahasa Malaysia
Shanghainese
Kachhi
Bahasa Indonesia
Turkish
London Court of International Arbitration
Abacus Worldwide
International Bar Association
Business Junction
Bar Association
Insolvency Lawyers Association
Employment Lawyers Association
International Association of Entertainment Lawyers
Arts Club
Association of Business Recovery Professionals
The Royal society of Pharmacists
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators