The team at CMS is well-placed to assist its sector-spanning client list across the full spectrum of commercial property matters, in both transactional and advisory contexts. Its workload includes advising on industrial asset deals and assisting clients with high-value and large-scale disposals, acquisitions and takeovers. Furthermore, large-scale urban regeneration projects, such as the £2.5bn rebuild of the centre of the City of York, and advising on carbon neutral housing developments, are key areas of focus for the team. Abby Dry, who handles complex asset management, heads up the practice alongside Mark Haywood who is based in Manchester. April 2025-promoted partner and ‘great lawyer’ Matt Barnes is recommended, as is Neil Lacey who has particular capabilities managing retail assets.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Proactive and communicative.'
'Strong project management and good coordination as a team.’
‘Matt Barnes is a great lawyer - calm and pragmatic.’
Key clients
- Apollo
- ARA Dunedin
- Sainsburys
- Argos
- Arora Woking Retail Ltd
- LBA Realty
- LBA Logistics
- GARBE
- Charles Street Building Group
- Greykite
- Mileway
- Pension Insurance Corporation
Work highlights
Advising the shareholders of Charles Street Building Group on the high profile disposal of around 40 industrial, logistics and office assets around the UK for a combined £600m.
Advising NewRiver REIT PLC on its takeover of Capital & Regional PLC for £147m.
Advising on the acquisition of a portfolio of European logistics from Logicor across 5 jurisdictions. This includes four assets that total around 450,000 sq m (4.84m sq ft) for a purchase price of circa €400m.
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.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Abby Dry; Mark Haywood
Other key lawyers
Matt Barnes; Neil Lacey; Lisa Murphy