Co-led by Mark London and Asif Patel, the team at Devonshires Solicitors LLP has strong experience handling matters in the social housing sector, including advising on regeneration schemes and the development of affordable housing. Patel expertly drafts and negotiates building contracts and advises on procurement strategies. Patel is joined by Sasha Pirbhai, who assists clients with the drafting of standard form and bespoke construction contracts, while Jamie Leonard advises on student accommodation projects.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Asif Patel is excellent to work with and is ably supported by Olivia Woolnough; both are committed, proactive, and take a commercial approach.
- Excellent service - proactive, knowledgeable, thorough, good availability.
- I deal extensively with Asif Patel, partner and head of the non-contentious construction team at Devonshires. Asif is very reactive to requests for help, and draft information is always provided quickly and in a format that is easy to review. He is clearly an expert in JCT contracts, which we use extensively, and provides rounded risk and procurement advice as well as specialist legal services. The service provided by Asif is very professional but also personable. We like dealing with him.
- Asif Patel is, without a doubt, the best construction solicitor I have worked with. He has a rare ability to simplify complex issues and communicate them in clear, accessible language that everyone can understand. He is highly responsive and particularly effective when negotiating contracts, consistently identifying potential risks and offering practical ways to mitigate them. In situations where negotiations reach an impasse, Asif demonstrates a strong ability to find balanced, workable solutions that satisfy both parties. I would not hesitate to recommend him highly.
Key clients
- Peabody Trust
- The Riverside Group Limited
- Abri Housing Group Limited
- Notting Hill Genesis
- Zen Housing Ltd
- GS Real Estate London Development Ltd
- London & Quadrant Housing Trust
- Hyde Housing Association Limited
- Homes for the City of Brighton & Hove LLP
- The Guinness Partnership Limited
- Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Trust
- Almero Newcastle Limited
Work highlights
Advising Notting Hill Genesis on its regeneration scheme at Grahame Park, Edgware.
Advising GS Real Estate London Development Ltd on the delivery of a mixed-use development scheme, which includes a 23-storey tower comprising a 230-bed hotel and 5000 sqm of co-working office space in London.
Advising The Riverside Group Limited on its regeneration scheme in Thanet (Kent) to deliver 449 homes along with a school and associated infrastructure.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Mark London; Asif Patel
Other key lawyers
Olivia Woolnough; Sasha Pirbhai; Jamie Leonard