Prepared for what’s next: legal advice to guide you through a changing market

Major shifts across the real estate market are reshaping decisions and creating new challenges for owners, investors and developers alike. With ever‑changing regulatory and legislative reforms – from the Building Safety Act to the proposed bans on upwards‑only rent reviews – commercial uncertainty is increasing, generating a growing need for specialist legal support to guide you through decisions with confidence.

To meet these evolving demands, we have taken significant steps to strengthen and diversify our legal services, expanding on our core commercial property capabilities to better support you as the market continues to develop.

Over the last year, we have welcomed more than 20 new senior lawyers to our team, meaning we are well positioned to provide you with comprehensive, commercial and responsive support across challenges in planning, property litigation, development, agriculture, real estate finance, environmental and construction law, and the commercial property sector as a whole.

We are delighted to introduce our new legal experts.

Planning

Ifath Nawaz has practised for over 30 years in both the public and private sectors, advising clients on planning, affordable housing, governance, transport, infrastructure and regeneration projects.

Janine Shaw brings over 20 years’ experience of planning law and is able to support clients on the full spectrum of planning and highway matters.

Sarah Wotton is an expert planning partner whose experience includes promoting and objecting to many types of development including major infrastructure projects. She also advises on related environmental issues and all aspects of planning law.

Property litigation

Caroline Wort has 30 years of experience as a commercial property litigator, advising across all aspects of commercial landlord and tenant disputes and broader real estate litigation, as well as telecoms and the management of property portfolios.

Michael Metliss has over 30 years’ property litigation experience and is listed in the Legal 500 property litigation Hall of Fame. He advises across the full range of contentious commercial property-related issues, with a particular emphasis on landlord and tenant disputes.

Agricultural and environmental law

Andrew Green has many decades of experience in agricultural law, with particular expertise in farming partnerships, farm succession planning and farm diversification strategies, as well as farm and land sales and purchases, overage, agricultural tenancies and general property matters.

Development and regeneration

Christopher Brigstocke is a highly experienced property lawyer specialising in major urban regeneration and infrastructure projects. He has particular expertise dealing with transport and energy infrastructure issues.

Paul Munnings is a successful residential developer, having led his own £6.2m development scheme – making him uniquely placed to understand the commercial and practical considerations of residential development. Paul also has significant experience with commercial developments, multi-use schemes, landlord and tenant matters, planning, auction sales and property finance.

Real estate finance

Michael Morris has over 20 years’ experience in the full range of commercial and residential property transactions, with particular expertise in real estate finance. He is experienced at supporting funds, major financial institutions and high net worth individuals investing in UK residential and commercial property, whether held directly or in offshore structures.

Construction

Henry Bowman is a construction and engineering law specialist, experienced in advising on drafting and negotiating all forms of construction documentation including professional appointments, building contracts, collateral warranties, third party rights, third party security and supply agreements. Henry can also provide advice on construction disputes.

Commercial

We have further enhanced our Commercial legal team through the appointments of:

·         Nick Redman – Commercial Property Partner

·         Meera Unadkat – Commercial Property Partner

·         Neil Sutcliffe – Commercial Property Partner

·         Abbey Shepherd – Commercial Property Partner

·         Jane Le Roi – Commercial Property Partner

·         Michael Goodman – Commercial Property Partner

·         Sarah Rochelle – Commercial Property Partner

“Our exceptional legal team sits at the heart of the firm, delivering the clarity, confidence and results our clients rely on. With over 20 new legal experts joining us over the past year, our capability and capacity have grown significantly, enabling us to guide clients with assurance through today’s fast‑changing real estate landscape.”

Madeleine Davitt, Senior Partner, Davitt Jones Bould