The commercial property and planning department at Paris Smith LLP is regularly entrusted by major domestic developers, investors, lenders, landlords, and tenants. The practice’s joint heads provide a wealth and breadth of experience: Rachel Saint regularly assists property investors and asset managers on corporate- and property-level acquisitions and disposals, particularly in the retail and leisure sectors, while Stuart Allen is a key contact among banks and private lenders for asset and portfolio security packages and financings. Noted for her ‘good, prompt, and efficient advice’, Joanne Spittles offers expertise in development, promotion agreements, and acquisitions and disposals. Hannah Winchester is a key contact among notable national retailers concerning landlord and tenant work, site and asset acquisitions, and portfolio management.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The practice has significant expertise in virtually all areas of real estate law - a real 'one stop shop' for all our legal requirements.'
- 'By combining fantastic availability with a commercial outlook and a strong knowledge of property finance and the local market, Paris Smith is second to none in the Southampton area.’
- 'The firm have an excellent local presence, in terms of networking, sponsorship and charitable activities, which strengthens their position as a prominent and important part of the local professional community.'
'Paris Smith's strengths lie in not just having the technical expertise across most sectors but also having the personal touch that enables communication and long-standing business relationships.’
‘Nothing is too much trouble and transactions are dealt with with care and real attention to detail. Pragmatic, professional, and personable!’
‘Joanne Spittles offers good, prompt, and efficient advice.'
'The individuals I work with are available to both us as business & our mutual clients - nothing is too much trouble. This, coupled with a commercial outlook & strong knowledge in their chosen area of law (property finance) & local market, make them second to none in the Southampton/ surrounding area.'
'My company has worked with PS for some time and would say that their strengths lie in not just having the technical expertise across most sectors but also have the personal touch that enables get communication and long standing business relationships.'
Key clients
- Castle Trust Capital Plc
- InterBay Funding, Ltd
- Hobbycraft Trading Limited
- Bourne Leisure Limited
- Draper Tools Limited
- Solent Stevedores Limited
- Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited (HSLHL)
- Co-operative Group Limited
Work highlights
Advised on the sale of Hampshire Sport & Leisure Holdings Limited, owner of the Utilita Bowl site and Hampshire Cricket, to GMR Global Pte Ltd.
Advised InterBay Funding, Ltd. on the £54m refinance of two commercial properties in London.
Acting for Hobbycraft regarding their acquisition programme for new stores and dealing with a variety of landlord and tenant work in connection with its existing portfolio of leasehold properties.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Rachel Saint; Stuart Allen
Other key lawyers
Joanne Spittles; Hannah Winchester