Ms Lesley Fairclough > Ward Hadaway LLP > Newcastle upon Tyne, England > Lawyer Profile

Ward Hadaway LLP
SANDGATE HOUSE
102 QUAYSIDE
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
NE1 3DX
England
Lesley Fairclough photo

Work Department

Property

Position

Partner, Head of Development

Career

Lesley specialises in commercial property development work.

Since qualifying as a solicitor in 1992, Lesley has worked in the Commercial Property Team at Ward Hadaway dealing with all aspects of commercial property work, but in particular development work (residential, commercial and mixed use schemes) acting for both landowner and developer.

Lesley has over 27 years’ experience in development work and specialises in commercial and residential development including joint venture and regeneration projects and has co-ordinated several complex site assembly transactions.

She also acts in complex site disposals for clients, whether by option or outright sale or lease, many involving complex overage arrangements.

Lesley is also a Notary Public, enabling her to offer a range of services to clients concerned with international matters.

Lesley’s experience in commercial development projects has included supermarkets, retail parks, hotels, car showrooms, offices, business parks and retail warehousing.

Many such schemes now invariably involve significant mixed-use elements, complex site assembly and disposal issues.

Lesley has an 18-year track record in leading the Ward Hadaway multi-disciplinary team acting for a major UK supermarket chain on an exclusive basis in relation to many supermarket-led development schemes and retail parks throughout the whole of the northern area (from Scotland to Newark) as part of their ambitious expansion plans.

Lawyer Rankings

North > Real estate > Commercial property: Newcastle

The ‘incredibly commercial’ team at Ward Hadaway LLP leverages the firm’s regional network of offices to expertly assist housebuilders, commercial developers, occupiers, and investors with the full range of mandates. Robin Atkin and Lesley Fairclough jointly oversee the practice, which also includes Alex Cox, who handles investment transactions, rural estates work, and property developments. Transactional expert Sophie Bohill advises national and regional housebuilders on site acquisitions, including building leases, joint ventures, and overage issues. Nick Gholkar takes point on commercial development projects and portfolio management, while Lauren Frisby ably assists with development and landowner-focused transactions.