Praised for its ‘uniquely personal approach’, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP assists a range of clients – from governments to developers – on the full gamut of commercial property issues. Real estate finance, residential investment, and real estate disputes are among the ‘responsive and experienced‘ team’s areas of expertise. Practice chair Ian Brothwood is singled out for his expertise in residential schemes, while lead real estate partner Naomi Nettleton is a key contact for clients from the hotel sector. Phil Webb handles strategic land matters for prominent landowners, while Charlotte Mee, who joined from Dentons in February 2022, has a broad practice that spans acquisitions, disposals, and corporate support work.

The residential development, commercial development and investment sectors are all strong suits for Clarke Willmott LLP, with the practice regularly acting for utilities providers, retirement benefit schemes and major housebuilders. Sarah Manley manages the Taunton-based commercial property team, and is frequently trusted by investment clients to handle matters such as estate management and disposals. Caroline Mortimer and Adam Burrage specialise in development transactions, while Melanie Smith’s abilities cover secured lending and lease renewals.

BPE Solicitors LLP‘s expertise in the healthcare, leisure and retail sectors has made the firm a popular destination for a range of commercial clients. The Cheltenham-based team is chaired by Jo Bewley, who is particularly strong in mandates related to the building of super surgeries, while managing partner Antonia Shield is well versed in retail sector work. Farmers and landowners regularly turn to Paul Engelbrecht – who rejoined the practice in October 2022 after spending some time at Hughes Paddison – for assistance with development and strategic land work. Douglas Armstrong‘s knowledge of the local marketplace makes him well-placed to advise on regional property deals. Georgiana Applegate and Matthew Jones are further names to note.

Trusted by a range of educational institutions for its capabilities in commercial property matters, the ‘knowledgeable’ practice at Harrison Clark Rickerbys is particularly well regarded for its offering in both education and real estate finance and education. Cheltenham real estate head Ben Thomas is well versed in asset management work, and is also noted for his focus on the retail sector. Mark Carter stands out for his secured lending expertise, while Morgan West is well-equipped to advise on real estate matters in the education sector.

‘Large enough to be reassuring and small enough to be personal‘, Stone King LLP acts across a broad range of commercial property matters for a core roster of charity, education, faith, and business clients. Practice head Caroline Taylor advises both charity and non-charity clients on issues such as site assembly and joint venture agreements. Joanne Burton leads the education property team, while Hugh Pearce brings his knowledge of ecclesiastical law to bear on his work across a number of Diocesan property portfolios.

Regarded by clients as ‘second to none‘, Willans LLP‘s broad practice assists a predominantly regional client base with issues such as property portfolio upsizing and downsizing, and lease renewals. The team is also active on property finance, acting on both the borrower and lender side. Alasdair Garbutt assumed the mantle of head of real estate in January 2023; his diverse practice includes sales, acquisitions, and development transactions. Previous head Nigel Whittaker is trusted by a number of national charities to manage their property portfolios, while Charlotte Cowdell has a strong track record in retail acquisitions. Emma Thompson‘s expertise notably covers industrial land financing work. Thornton Allen left the practice in August 2022.

Maintaining a balanced portfolio of work, the ‘competent and responsive’ team at Goughs Solicitors advises a mix of private and institutional lenders on acquisitions, disposals and landlord and tenant work. The real estate department is headed up by ‘first-class development solicitor’ Andrew Given, who specialises in strategic land acquisitions. Head of Commercial Property Gemma Sumsion works closely with a number of property investment portfolio clients. Aimee Glover is also recommended.

Maitland Walker LLP‘s varied case load includes acquisitions and disposals of hotels and public houses, agricultural property and land transactions and instructions concerning residential, commercial and mixed-use development sites. Practice co-chair Benjamin Slade has a strong focus on assisting businesses operating multiple gaming and leisure sites. Fellow co-head Hilary Coles is well versed in matters concerning rural properties and agri-related businesses.

Praised for ‘always going above and beyond’, Porter Dodson LLP notably acts for residential developers and regional GP partnerships - especially in Somerset - handling a range of secured lending mandates. The unit is also increasingly instructed on solar development and renewables projects. Taunton-based Ben Hingley, who spearheads the practice, is noted for his focus on the protection of landowners through the use of overage agreements. Commercial landlord and tenant specialist Victoria Walker, secured lending expert Louise Sanders, and Steve Farnham, who specialises in strategic land development matters, are also recommended.

RWK Goodman‘s commercial property practice handles a wide range of transactional real estate matters for regional and national clients operating across an array of sectors; health and social care and leisure and hospitality stand out as two recent area of focus for the team. ‘Excellent lawyer‘ Richard Roth, who leads the Bath-based team, is particularly active on mandates concerning high-value London properties. Paul Daniels is also recommended.

With specialisations in the healthcare, landed estates, renewables and development sectors, Wansbroughs handles a range of property work with major sale agreements for residential development land standing out as a recent area of activity. ‘Exceptional property lawyer' Neil Patterson leads the Devizes-based team; his land development expertise extends to options and promotions agreements. Jonathan Bruton frequently advises landed estates on property matters, including mining requirements, while Christopher Ware is handling a growing number of instructions related to pubs. Laura Ingram Hill left the firm in December 2022.