Phillips Law

Commercial Property

Claire is a Partner and Head of Commercial Property at Phillips Law and has almost 20 years’ experience advising on a broad range of property matters.

She trained at a leading London law firm where she worked primarily for major national retailers and restaurant brands negotiating complex development agreements for lease and leases.  Claire was promoted to Partner in 2019 and has worked as team leader in various firms before joining Phillips as Partner and Head of Department in September 2025.

She specialises in Landlord and Tenant work, but also has extensive experience across sales, acquisitions and refinancing.  Claire has a particular expertise in leisure and retail properties but is also experienced in a wide range of commercial properties including offices, warehouses, restaurants, theatres, marinas and ports.  She advises landlords, tenants, developers and investors on acquisitions, disposals, complex development agreements, refinancing and high-value leasing transactions. Her clients have included major UK and international retailers, overseas investors entering the UK market and household-name brands managing their property portfolios.

Some key work highlights include:

Acting as property lead on the £17 million purchase of a business with three garden centres, including subsequent restructuring for a major nursery client. Advising a leading US restaurant chain on its entry into the UK market, negotiating property deals in prime nationwide locations. Managing portfolio transactions for national retailers, including a UK mobile phone chain with 700+ stores, supermarkets and convenience store operators. Supporting insolvency practitioners on the disposal of retail stores following corporate insolvencies, helping to minimise job losses and maximise creditor returns. Guiding international retailers and investors on their UK expansion strategies.

Clients value Claire’s practical, commercially focused advice and her ability to steer transactions from heads of terms efficiently through to completion.  She is pragmatic and diligent, bringing a personal touch and commercial understanding that benefits her clients and helps them achieve their goals.

As a team leader, Claire is committed to mentoring colleagues and developing the next generation of commercial property lawyers. She has managed and grown teams of various sizes, balancing client service with fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.