Real Estate Development
Our development lawyers bring together the full range of our real estate experience and knowledge, working closely with our client to help plan and deliver the project.
We work with public and private sector clients – some familiar with the development process, some not - on regeneration schemes, mixed use developments and one off projects, from cradle to grave. We advise on aspects such as:
- agreements with investors, purchasers and tenants
- avoiding and resolving disputes
- construction issues, from demolition and construction through to dealing with defects
- funding, both debt and equity
- identifying procedural requirements and traps
- interim revenue-producing arrangements pending start on site
- issues that might affect development, including cost or timing, such as rights of light, sewers, restrictive covenants
- management of the property following construction
- obtaining vacant possession
- planning issues and the negotiation of planning and highway agreements
- public procurement
- site assembly and any overage arrangements on acquisition
- tax implications and efficient ownership structures/joint ventures
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The catalyst of Covid-19 must bring a positive change to our offices: Clare Reddy writes for Property Week
01 April 2021Covid-19 has been, and continues to be, a catalyst for change. At some point, life will settle into a new rhythm, which will come with its own challenges. As we grapple with hybrid ways of working, the pandemic has shown that our experiences have not been equal and has emphasised the increased importance of wellbeing.

Lewis Silkin wins Real Estate Team of the Year Award 2020
06 November 2020Lewis Silkin has won the accolade of Real Estate Team of the Year award at The Lawyer Awards 2020 for their work on Earl’s Court Regeneration.

Lewis Silkin heads legal think tank on planning changes
17 June 2020Following the COVID19 outbreak, The Law Society wrote to the Minister of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with a list of proposed recommendations to assist with planning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Temporary use of vacant land offers chance for collaboration: Anthony van Hoffen writes for Property Week
12 May 2020Covid-19 space requirements present an unusual opportunity for the property sector to make a difference. Nicola Mathers, Chief Executive of Future of London and development partner Anthony Hoffen discuss the potential temporary use of vacant land during the pandemic and the opportunities for collaboration.
How legal changes can keep planning and development open during the coronavirus epidemic: Sara Hanrahan writes for The Planner
24 April 2020The Law Society has requested a slew of changes to the English planning system to enable planning and development to continue during the coronavirus epidemic and the post-lockdown period, as Sara Hanrahan explains in this article for The Planner.

The Law Society calls for urgent planning fixes: Sara Hanrahan writes for Estates Gazette
21 April 2020The planning committee for the City of London and the wider national planning committee joined forces to consider the legislative changes introduced since the outbreak of Covid-19. Sara Hanrahan, our Head of Planning discusses the current legislation and how it could provide the building blocks for the future.

Covid-19 relief for financially troubled suppliers with public contracts
01 April 2020On 20 March 2020 the Cabinet Office published guidance designed to ensure that all public bodies provide support under existing contracts to suppliers of “goods, services and works” who are financially “at risk” as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

More than just a stadium…
19 September 2019However it’s done, whether being rebuilt from scratch (Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Arsenal), expanded (Liverpool) or converted from other uses (West Ham, Manchester City), one thing for certain is that football stadiums are big business. In this article, we explore some of the current projects and highlight some of the hot topics surrounding these cathedrals of the national game.