Birketts LLP is ‘excellent at understanding clients’ aspirations and ambitions’, and clients note that the firm ’provides pragmatic solutions to problems’. The firm-wide real estate practice is led from Chelmsford by Grace Kerr, and has a strong bench of talent in East Anglia through its Ipswich office. Long-standing commercial property specialist Chris Schwer contributes his in-depth knowledge of investment and development work to the Ipswich team, led by Oliver Crichton, whose work spans freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals, landlord and tenant issues, property finance mandates and corporate support work. Stuart Raven has an impressive roster of corporate, investor, owner/occupier and developer clients, and he routinely deals with the sale and purchase of large investment properties. Paul Squire is a pillar of the firm’s investment practice, and Vicki Chilton leads the highly active utilities team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Birketts is excellent at understanding clients' aspirations and ambitions and impressively build longstanding relationships founded on trust and integrity.'
- 'They demonstrate considerable expertise in numerous sectors and provide pragmatic solutions to problems which may arise in the course of legal transactions. The likes of Chris Schwer, Paul Squire, and Alexandra Chisnall stand out in particular.'
‘Sound, professional advice and work. Flexibility to meet our needs as a customer.’
'The team is very autonomous and takes care of what we need. They are open to using new tech that in-house teams use and nothing is a fuss.'
'Amanda Timcke is very personable, warm and responsive. She knows her stuff and cuts through the faff.'
'As a family-owned business we are impacted by issues in both the commercial and residential property markets, but also how the company leans into our own lives. Birketts has been able to be our single-stop for support in the transacting market, tenant challenges, company ownership changes, and also the link between the company and into our personal lives. Their breadth enables a smooth understanding of these inter-related issues, and a quick resolution to business problems and opportunities.'
Key clients
- SJK Properties Ltd (Dencora)
- Eclipse Power Networks
- Murphy Asset Services Limited
- Indigo Power Limited
- Hopkins Homes Limited
- Hartog Hutton Limited
- Deckers
- Radley + Co. Limited
- Ipswich Borough Council
- Suffolk County Council
- Puig brands
- The Nucleus Group encompassing Curtis Banks, Talbot & Muir and James Hay
Work highlights
Advising The Churchmanor Estates Company Plc in relation to a two-phase leisure/restaurant (Phase 1) and retail (Phase 2) scheme in the heart of a major and growing commercial sector on the south-west of Colchester.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Grace Kerr; Oliver Crichton
Other key lawyers
Chris Schwer; Stuart Raven; Paul Squire; Vicki Chilton; Alexandra Chisnall; Keith Andrews; Amanda Timcke