Saskia Arthur leads an active and ‘really strong‘ team at Boodle Hatfield LLP– it has acted on over 1,200 residential transactions in the last 12 months with individual transaction values of up to £100m. The group garners praise for the breadth of its expertise. It is adept at advising on the sale and purchase of high-value residential properties, as well as advising non-UK resident clients on buying UK property to hold as an investment. In addition, it is a known name for its considerable strength in areas such as leasehold enfranchisement, residential developments, refurbishments and rebuilds. Simon Kerrigan is well-regarded for his work on all aspects of residential property. Shaima Jillood is the joint head of the firm’s Middle East practice, and is experienced in advising on a wide spectrum of residential property matters. Reem Al-Jumaily is another key member of the firm’s Middle East practice, and specialises in the sale and purchase of UK residential property. The team’s expertise spans advising on high-value prime central London properties, as well as large London development projects. Edward Allan is another name to note, who frequently handles many complex transactions.

Spearheaded by Laura Conduit and Annabel Dean, Farrer & Co has a stellar reputation for its work on many complex and high-value matters. It is skilled at advising on tax and structuring issues by way of SPV deals in prime central London. Clients appreciate that the team ‘is always on hand for a call to explain various aspects of any deal, to provide clarity and practical solutions’. In addition, it is sought after for its country house expertise. The group ‘works closely with us and their clients to ensure a smooth transaction’. Laurie Horwood is well respected for his work on a variety of key residential property deals, and also acts for some of the leading private banks. Edmund Fetherston-Dilke is another significant member of the team. Hugh Wigzell has niche expertise in high-end new build properties. The practice excels in large conveyancing matters. It also acts for both banks and borrowers in secured lending transactions.

Led by Lucy Barber, Forsters LLP’s residential practice is one of the largest in central London. It handles the full range of residential property matters, including large-scale developments, complex financings, and high-value sales and purchases in central London and across the UK. The agile team acts on behalf of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net worth individuals. Helen Marsh is another name to note for her work on the full range of property matters, including landlord and tenant issues. Robert Barham has a wealth of experience in the purchase and sale of high-value residential property and mixed use assets. Charles Miéville is recognised for his work with private individuals in residential acquisitions and disposals – Miéville also works with clients who are investing, refinancing or developing residential property. Another core area of strength is working with banks on the enforcement of security over residential properties.

‘Keystone Law has a depth of like-minded quality lawyers who all work in complete harmony – the ‘team’ is very effective at delivering excellent advice and positive outcomes’. It boasts an excellent portfolio of high-net-worth clients. The group is skilled at advising on the full spectrum of residential property matters from sales and acquisitions to developments, financings, enfranchisement and disputes. Ian Cooke is vastly experienced in handling transactions relating to the prime and super-prime London residential property market. Sakhjit Randhawa frequently advises on high-value residential property acquisitions, sales and new development projects. In addition, Randhawa has a large following in the Middle East, South East Asia and America. Hugh Murphy is another key figure who acts for private clients, landed estates and institutional clients on all aspects of property law. Murphy continues to be instructed by a number of high-profile international and UK-based clients.

The first-rate team at Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP specialises in bespoke, complex and high-value matters for private clients. Under the leadership of Sarah Conway, it is lauded for its work on substantial residential sales and purchases. The team has particular expertise in listed buildings. In addition, the group is skilled in other areas, such as advising on leasehold enfranchisement and lease extensions, as well as advising on residential financings. Another core area of focus is providing specialist advice on private client and trust related matters where there is a real estate element. Edward Burton works across a wide spectrum of residential property matters, from listed buildings on the London estates, to new build super prime apartments and country houses. Barton regularly acts on the most complex and highest value deals in London, and also advises on enfranchisement and lease extensions. In addition, he frequently works with the firm’s private wealth team on residential property structures.

Mishcon de Reya LLP has extensive experience of working with UHNW individuals from across the globe. It has a diverse client base of wealthy individuals and start up developers as well as investors, banks, corporates and onshore/offshore investment funds. Practice head James Liffen is recommended for his work on a range of complicated transactions involving shared ownership, auction sales, and portfolio purchases, in addition to tenancy and planning issues. Sonal Thakrar garners praise for her advice on all aspects of UK residential property and secured lending to banks. Thakrar has a particular focus on purchasing or selling prime or super-prime residential property in central London, which often have complex offshore structures. Dee Aylward is also recommended for her work with clients when they are buying properties in prime central London. Aylward’s clients are often purchasing second homes or property for investment purposes.

Hema Anand heads a ‘high profile team’ with an ‘excellent reputation and market leading knowledge’ at BDB Pitmans. Anand is skilled at handling some of the firm’s high-profile and high-value residential transactions, and is also recommended for her expertise in rights of first refusal matters and on a range of complicated landlord and tenant issues. John Stephenson is another key figure who is regularly instructed to handle significant refinancing of portfolios, as well as for his leasehold reform advice. Legal director Lorna Du Sautoy handles many UHNW residential transactions and has a loyal following amongst buying agents and PLC agents.

William Marriot and Thomas Moran co-lead the department at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, which has a focus on complex and high-value transactions in prime central London. It regularly works with leading intermediaries and advises a wide range of clients from UHNW buyers and sellers, to developers, land agents and trustees. The group also has considerable international capabilities and works closely with its strong private wealth offering. Moran advises on many landlord and tenant matters and issues relating to leasehold enfranchisement. Marriott is skilled at handling all aspects of the acquisition and disposal of high-value property across England. Tristram van Lawick is known for his agricultural law expertise and runs the firm’s landed estate management team.

At Fladgate LLP, Helen Curtis-Goulding heads an excellent team, which advises domestic and international clients, ranging from HNW individuals to businesses and trusts, on acquiring, owning or disposing of all types of residential property in the UK. The practice is recognised for its skill in handling many complex property sales and acquisitions, (including freehold and leasehold residential transactions), in prime and super prime central London. It also has considerable expertise in other matters relating to the acquisition and holding of real estate assets, and is adept at advising on estate and succession matters, as well as tax issues. Sarah Conibeere frequently deals with prime and super prime leasehold and freehold properties – most of these properties are in the London area.

The residential property team at Kingsley Napley LLP is vastly experienced in advising on the sale and purchase of substantial and high-value central London houses and apartments, as well as country houses in the South of England. Most of its clients are celebrities and U/HNW individuals, in addition to royalty, politicians, professionals and business people. At the helm is Bethan Owen, who specialises in high-value residential transactions. Owen is skilled at advising on acquisitions, developments, financing and the sale of properties in prime central London, as well as country houses. Vanessa Rhodes is also recommended for her work on the acquisition and disposal of a variety of complex asset portfolios.

Spearheaded by Emma Copestake, the team at Payne Hicks Beach LLP is ‘always supportive and always available to assist’. It is well-placed to handle a broad range of high-end residential property matters for various clients, from international investors to landowners and prime residential property clients. Leveraging the firm’s private client department, it is well-equipped to handle all associated private client matters. The group has considerable expertise in leasehold enfranchisement, lease extensions and collective acquisitions. Copestake has a high profile at the top end of the residential market and is skilled at giving related financing, tax and structuring advice. Andrew Berry and senior associate Hannah Robinson also play a pivotal role in the department.

Elaine Dobson heads the team at Taylor Wessing LLP, which has an excellent client base of very wealthy individuals and families. Other key clients include A-list celebrities, high-profile sports personalities and founders of household names in the technology sector. The agile team receives a steady flow of work on iconic, luxury and high-value sites throughout the country. In addition, it has considerable expertise in complex enfranchisement work through Dobson and Rachel George. The group frequently advises UHNW clients on freehold, lease extensions and collective enfranchisement claims for substantial blocks within central London. The practice can also draw on the expertise of its international private wealth team. It also garners praise for its rural property expertise.

The excellent team at Wedlake Bell LLP had another busy year covering a broad range of matters across the prime and super-prime residential market. Tom Allfree heads the practice, which has celebrity and U/HNW clients. The group can draw on the expertise of its colleagues to assist with complex tax and structuring matters, as well as construction and planning issues. It also garners praise for its strength in property litigation, and is regularly instructed to advise on high-value lease extensions, in addition to individual and collective enfranchisement matters. Nick Stone continues to attract work from very wealthy clients on a whole host of residential conveyancing purchases and sales. Jonathan Achampong is another notable member of the department.

Henry Stuart leads a superb team at Withers LLP, which is best known for its advice on all aspects of residential property transactions, which also spans rural and commercial property, as well as associated property litigation. Beyond advising its wealthy clients on the acquisition of property, whether for personal or investment purposes, the team has noticed an increase in instructions relating to the purchase of commercial property to be converted into residential use. Bertie Hoskyns-Abrahall focuses on advising landowners and estates on a wide variety of management and succession issues. Pervaze Ahmed is also recommended. Nicholas Vaughan often advises on the acquisition and sale of residential property in prime central London. George Coleman and David Holland were promoted to the partnership.

Cripps fields an excellent team which services U/HNW individuals on a broad range of issues. It is adept at handling freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, advising on new build warranties, alterations and refurbishments, as well as planning matters. The practice has also developed a solid reputation for its work on enfranchisement. Zainab Dakhil’s clients include established large London estates and wealthy individuals, developers, professional landlords and lenders. Anna Favre specialises in residential landlord and tenant law and leasehold enfranchisement. Amy Jackson and Fiona McIntosh are both well-regarded, while Laura Southgate excels in property dispute resolution.

Suzanne Middleton Lindsley heads the department at Druces LLP, which advises on many complex and high-value residential property matters. In addition, Lindsley is experienced in advising on Sharia compliant financing. Parveen Abbas handles all aspects of residential conveyancing, including leasehold and freehold sales and purchases, as well as re-mortgage transactions and the transfer of equities. At senior associate level, Michelle Goodrum receives plaudits for her specialism in complex leasehold enfranchisement matters, as well as for her work on a variety of high-value residential property transactions.

The ‘very professional and highly regarded’ team at Edwin Coe LLP is led by Rosie McCormick Paice. It advises wealthy individuals on all aspects of residential and rural real estate ownership. The practice frequently provides transactional and financing advice, as well as advising on landlord and tenant matters. The group is also skilled at handling complex leasehold enfranchisement issues. In addition, the department acts both for borrowers and for the lenders (private client banks) on various residential property matters. The group has significant expertise, too, in dealing with the financing of residential property portfolios, landed estates, agricultural land and acquisitions under leasehold reform legislation. Katherine Simpson is also recommended.

The property group at Harbottle & Lewis LLP acts for wealthy and high profile individuals on sales, purchases (including related mortgage work), as well as leasehold management and enfranchisement matters. Under the leadership of Melanie Benson, the group works closely too with its private capital and tax teams on a range of tax and trust planning matters. Caroline Roberjot is another key figure who specialises in prime and super prime residential property and country estates.

The residential property practice at Howard Kennedy LLP typically handles the financing, acquisition, tax structuring, sale, and management of prime residential property. It works on behalf of domestic and international high-net worth clients, their families and other prominent real estate investors. It regularly handles prime real estate transactions in the £15-£50m+ range, supporting buyers both from within the UK and overseas. Amalie Raben-Levetzau is the practice head and is particularly experienced in multijurisdictional transactions.

The versatile team at Macfarlanes LLP advises clients on all their residential property needs. This work encompasses advising on the sale, purchase, letting and refurbishment of prime central London homes. The group is also skilled at advising on the sale, purchase, construction, enlargement and restoration of prestigious country estates. It has particular expertise in buying off-plan property, and it frequently assists clients with buying overseas properties. Head of department, Clare Breeze, has extensive experience of working with private clients and family offices investing in the UK and international property markets. Helen Sculthorpe is another name to note.

Spearheaded by James Bunker, Vardags advises very wealthy clients on buying, selling and mortgaging prime and super prime residential property in London and the country. It typically works on transactions valued in the tens of millions. In addition, the team regularly advises on property issues in the context of high-value divorce and proceedings. Bunker also excels in advising on other areas such as restructurings and lease management.

The ‘responsive’ team at Bishop & Sewell LLP is variously praised for its ‘professional and attentive service’ and for adopting a ‘calm and pragmatic approach’. Key names to note in the residential property practice, which covers all aspects of residential real estate, are Ossie Swaine and Thom Wilkinson. The skilled team frequently advises on the acquisition of prime and super-prime central London property and country homes. Its landlord and tenant team is headed by Mark Chick.

‘The Brecher LLP team is diligent and professional, yet friendly and a pleasure to work with’. With Jacqui McCoy at the helm, it is adept at handling all aspects of residential real estate from acquisitions and sales, through to development and funding, both in London and throughout England and Wales. In addition, the team acts for many high-value residential developers in both prime central London and the South East.

Kiri Kkoshi heads the ‘friendly and professional’ team at Healys LLP. Kkhoshi has developed a solid reputation for her work with a broad range of clients from first-time buyers to high-net-worth individuals, companies, property developers and banks. Nic Tiong heads the Asia Pacific desk and specialises in real estate acquisitions for wealthy clients and property developers from the Asia Pacific region.

Under the joint leadership of Benedikte Malling Bech and John Fox, North Star Law is best known for its work on the purchase and sale of high-value residential properties for its wealthy client base. It typically acts for entrepreneurs, sports persons, celebrities, models and other successful business people. Victoria Fletcher is another key figure who is becoming a ‘go to’ person for high-net-worth individuals and c-suite level directors, when buying second properties in the UK or relocating.

Karen Mayne heads the department at Weightmans LLP, which has a solid reputation in the market for its work on a broad array of high-end residential property matters for owner occupation, as well as for investment and development purposes in the UK. It has particular strength in leasehold enfranchisement. Mayne has a keen interest in the financing of and secured lending on residential property. Clients include landed estates, high-net-worth owners, occupiers, investors and property companies.