Real estate affects all businesses. You could be a private developer developing a new-build, mixed-use scheme; a public sector body driving a regeneration project; an end occupier looking to secure its head office; or a retailer looking to re-gear its current occupation. You could be an operator rolling out an aggressive acquisition programme.
Whoever you are and whatever sector you’re working in, we offer a heavy-weight, commercial real estate team of over 100 lawyers across our offices, who are trusted to get projects and transactions over the line efficiently and effectively.
The strength of our real estate team lies not just in the quality of our people, but also in the deliberate mix of our private sector, public sector and third sector work. Our clients tell us that our ‘cross sector’ knowledge adds real value to the service we provide.
Our people are commercially minded, and we say it ‘how it is’. We’ll work with you to understand your aims and your appetite to risk, to get you the best deal achievable in as short a time as possible.
Having acted for Westerman Homes over the decades helping to build its portfolio, we advised our client on the sale of its strategic land portfolio (725 acres across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire) to Peveril Homes and Peveril Securities.
We acted for Motorsport Vision Limited on the redevelopment of the historic Old Museum at Donington Racetrack and the grant of a new lease to new occupier, Superbikes. A fantastic new name to add to the roster of tenants and occupiers on the estate.
We acted for DPD in their acquisitions of leasehold premises in York and in Washington; both complex transactions involving planning issues and an overage agreement. Both deals completed on time notwithstanding various challenges.
We acted for Chesterfield Borough Council on the strategic acquisition of The Pavements Shopping Centre in Chesterfield from investment company vendors. The resulting merger of the Council’s existing leasehold and freehold interests means that the Council takes control of this important asset in the region.
"The team are extremely commercial with a view to the client needs on each mandate. This is based on investing the time to understand both the client and the relevant mandate such that their insights are relevant, rather than just “nice to haves”."
"Very professional, dedicated and helpful team. Use of technology to help with face to face meetings, vital in the current environment."
"Each member of the Browne Jacobson team has always been proactive and prompt to respond to communications and matters that arise; I can't speak highly enough of the knowledge, expertise, advice and general care we have received - nothing is too much trouble."
"I have been so impressed with them - the lawyers are very solution-focused with a can-do attitude, available any time and willing to consider all ideas that we might have had. The work they produced for us was very high-quality."
On 2 November 2022, the Supreme Court handed down its judgment in the much awaiting case of Hillside Parks Ltd v Snowdonia National Park Authority [2022] UKSC 30. The Court’s judgment suggests that the long established practice of using drop-in applications is in fact much more restricted than previously thought. This judgment therefore has significant implications for both the developers and local planning authorities.
National law firm Browne Jacobson has advised long standing retail client, Wilko on the sale and leaseback of its Nottinghamshire distribution centre in Worksop to logistics specialist DHL for £48m.
Browne Jacobson has appointed Amy Chapman, the former Group Legal Director of global built environment experts Mace Group, as its first Non-Executive Director (NED) of its Construction & Real Estate sector strategy board.
Across the UK, homelessness is an urgent crisis, and one that is set to grow amid the rising cost of living. Local authorities are at the forefront of responding to this crisis, but with a lack of properties that are suitable for social housing across the UK, vulnerable individuals and families are often housed in temporary accommodation.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, landlords and tenants have experienced significant limitations in the way rent arrears could be pursued. We first saw the moratorium on the recovery of Covid related arrears, and more recently we’ve experienced the implementation of the Covid arrears arbitration scheme.
The focus on the Levelling Up agenda and the availability of grant funding, means there are numerous important regeneration schemes actively being pursued across the country. With ever-escalating project and building costs, in many cases, applications that were made for grant funding were based on costs contingencies that have already been exceeded.
Recent reports of flat roofs constructed using RAAC planks collapsing without warning prompted the SCOSS alert.
Conservation Covenants come into force on 30 September 2022. We look at the impact on landowners, developers and responsible bodies.
The Building Safety Act 2022 received Royal Assent on 28 April 2022 (“Act”). The government has described the reforms introduced by the Act as “the biggest changes to building safety regulation in a generation”. For once the hype is justified.
The climate emergency has reached a point where real and substantial damage is being caused to both the planet and society. There has been a shift from planning and theorising the most effective solutions, to a phase where practical, efficient, and sustainable solutions are required at speed.
As the Grenfell Inquiry continues, how have the Phase 1 recommendations changed the fire safety and building safety landscape?
On 4 May 2022, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in the joint case of R (Elkundi and others) -v- Birmingham City Council and R (Imam) -v- London Borough of Croydon [2022] EWCA Civ 601.
The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill was introduced to Parliament on 11 May 2022. In this Bill, and in accordance with earlier reports, the government intends to replace section 106 agreements and the existing Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) with a new Infrastructure Levy.
On 14 February 2022, Secretary of State of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, announced proposals designed to pressure building developers and materials manufacturers to fund the remediation of unsafe properties.
Improvement to the planning system has arrived in the form of new digital tools which will make it easier for the general public to have their say on shaping and regenerating their communities.
In March the government proposed a number of changes to the Building Safety Bill. The new amendments propose additional protection for leaseholders to prevent them from being charged for cladding work if they own up to three properties.
We welcome you back after the festive break to our first Private Sector Development Club of the year. Join us on-demand for four high level presentations with a chance for you to ask questions to our experts.
This article takes key areas of focus within the NHS Estate and presents our top tips for implementing estates aspects of your Green Plan successfully from a legal perspective.
Watch our on-demand video about our private sector development club, where we will be discussing, planning updates, permitted development and negotiating development agreements.
Watch our first virtual private sector development club, where we guide you through a variety of topics relevant to property development, including updates on leasehold reform and planning law, plus a guide through the negotiation of promotion and option agreements.
