Property Development Solicitors

With one of the UK's largest and most experienced property law teams, we are a great choice for all types of property development. Whether your project is small or large, commercial or residential, we can handle all the different aspects.

Some of the key issues and considerations for property developers will typically be :

• Deal Structure - Will you be using a new limited company special purpose vehicle (SPV), and is the project a joint venture or not? There may well be company law issues involved and the need for shareholder agreements, company articles of association or joint venture or investment agreements. Property development projects will often also include consideration of exit strategy right from the outset.

• Land Acquisition - Are you acquiring the land with or without planning permission? If the latter, you will no doubt need to consider an option or conditional contract.

• Project Finance - If you are using external commercial finance, there is quite a lot of additional legal work to do and it's essential that you are fully briefed on the key issues and risks included in the terms of the security documents.

• Infrastructure & Planning - These will be a significant part of almost all new build development projects, including highways, drainage and other utility agreements, planning applications, appeals and in depth environmental assessment and reports.

• Contracts with Builders & Others - construction contracts, agreements with architects, surveyors, project managers and suppliers. Due diligence, warranties and indemnities and insurance cover will be extremely important.

• Plot Sales, whether off plan or on completion - With developments including a number of new flats a standard lease will be needed, a pack of documents for prospective buyers and decisions about the ongoing management of the estate and whether the developers want to retain any interest after all flats are sold off.