Commercial Property Solicitors

Hiring a solicitor for your commercial property sale, purchase or lease is not a legal requirement. However, this area of law is a minefield of technical law and practical obstacles that can arise. Attempting to go it alone or relying on the skills of a general (non-property) in-house counsel is not recommended, especially given the long periods of commitment and high financial values that are involved with commercial property transactions.

The financial stakes are high. If something goes wrong, it could potentially put your business at risk or damage the value of your investment.

A well-experienced and conscientious firm of commercial property specialists will make sure that you know what you are getting into and what potential liabilities you are taking on. Hiring a solicitor who is capable of considering all the relevant factors is extremely helpful and may help you negotiate better and more flexible terms than you’d otherwise negotiate.

Look for a commercial property solicitor who specialises in the type of transaction you need support with. While a good commercial property lawyer will be able to negotiate sales, purchases and leases for all types of real estate, there is a big difference between leasing a high-street nail salon and developing a multi-tenanted mixed-use scheme from the ground up. Ask about their past projects and experience, especially if you need support with a high-value, complex deal.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority regulates solicitors. Only genuine law firms are allowed to display the SRA logo on their website and it shows the firm displays the very highest standards of professional conduct. Other accreditations include the Law Society Lexcel Accreditation Scheme for excellent client care and legal practice management.

Bear in mind that owning or leasing a commercial property is rarely a one-time transaction. After the purchase or lease, you may need ongoing support with licenses to alter, rent reviews, lease renewals, future development and additional commercial financing, to name just a few. Choosing a commercial property team with broad experience across all of these areas means you get joined-up thinking and end-to-end service, without having to hire multiple solicitors for each transaction.

The solicitor’s fee will depend on the type and complexity of the transaction. A good commercial property law firm will base much of their work on fixed fees to ensure there are no surprises. If this is not possible, look for a firm that charges competitive hourly rates based on the level of expertise required, with an indication of likely overall costs provided at the outset.

Besides the cost of the legal services that are provided to you, there may be monies payable to third parties such as search fees, land registry fees and stamp duty land tax.

At Osbornes, we provide detailed cost estimates at the outset with flexible fee structures to meet your requirements. For information about our services and pricing, please get in touch with our commercial property team today.

Osbornes has a powerful commercial property team comprising partners, solicitors and paralegals who have been with the firm for a long time. You will always be matched with a partner / senior solicitor lead who specialises in your type of transaction. Where relevant, other fee earners will be brought in to support. We work as a team, not as individuals, and this ensures there is always an expert familiar with your matter.

Having your commercial property transaction managed by an experienced commercial property solicitor can prevent later disputes but, should the unavoidable happen, we can help with any contentious commercial property issues you’re facing. The disputes we assist with include:

• Lease renewals
• Rent review disputes
• Commercial rent arrears recovery
• Service charge disputes
• Breaches of covenants and clauses
• Disputes over alterations
• Lease forfeiture cases
• Terminations of leases (by landlord or tenant)
• Dilapidations and disrepair claims
• Exercising break options
• Recovery of property from unlawful occupiers

Our goal is the swift and effective resolution of claims. If not handled correctly, commercial property disputes can lead to unnecessary costs, stress and business disruption. We seek to minimise these consequences through a proactive, pragmatic approach where the majority of disputes are settled by negotiation.

For more information, please get in touch with our commercial property litigation experts for a confidential discussion about your needs.