OFFICE
We have extensive experience in acting for both occupiers and investors regarding their offices. We are known for getting the job done and our commercial outlook allows us to resolve any issues that may arise.
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New working practices, an increasing focus on sustainability and a greater understanding of how office layouts and structures impact occupier wellbeing have conspired to create new risks and opportunities both for occupiers and investors of offices.
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Our team is experienced in advising on all stages of the lifecycle of office assets from initial planning and development to acquisitions and disposals and their ongoing management. Our team has advised on some of the UK’s most iconic offices including 10 Downing Street, Old Admiralty Building, The Royal Societies, The Shard, Admiralty Arch, Palace of Westminster.
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OUR SERVICES
What we can advise on
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Acquisition of suitable office premises
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Disposal of office premises to investors
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Clawback and overage
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Negotiating and drafting commercial leases and subleases to office users
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Rent reviews and lease renewals
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Lease termination, surrender and break notices
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Enforcing tenant's covenant to repair
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Dilapidation litigation
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Estate rationalisation advice to maximise financial returns
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Financing the acquisition through investment vehicles
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Joint venture partnerships
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Drafting and negotiating licences / leases for occupation in serviced offices
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Acquisition of suitable premises for office use
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Termination of licences and leases
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Repair covenants and dilapidations
HOW WE ADD VALUE
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Working with you from the start of a transaction to identify risks, put in place risk mitigation strategies and ensure that our legal structures deliver realistic outcomes.
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Assisting you on complex transactions to project manage multi-disciplinary teams.
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The provision of post transaction debriefs and summaries to ensure you have guidance on the legal effect of transaction documents. On complex deals we offer tailored training sessions for senior executives.
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Regular reviews of your property terrier to assist with the updating of your risk register.
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Knowledge transfer – Knowledge is key to cultivating high performing teams and we provide all our clients with training and knowledge resources in multiple formats to suit your individual requirements.
We have advised other law firms on new prime London office space, Central Government clients on complex lease agreements and exits, investors on £80m+ office block acquisitions and various sectors on major office planning and development projects.
We are up to date with all key considerations including green lease provisions, retrofitting and demolitions, service charge codes and IFRS 16.
KEY CONTACTS
RESULTS FOR CLIENTS
Secured a prime office for £80m on behalf of an investor.
We advised Fujifilm on the development of their new UK Head Office. This included negotiating and completing an agreement for the lease as well as a review of the construction contracts.
We are property legal advisors to the City based investors Merchant Land, who own a portfolio of offices and flats in the City of London. We have advised them on acquisitions, leases, redevelopment work and complex issues relating to Covid-19 insurance clauses.
We are advising the Office for National Statistics on all the property legal issues to arise out of their estate. This has included advising them on several matters including the potential lease break of their London HQ.
We advised the Medical Research Foundation on the lease of their new London HQ in Barbican, London. This included negotiating and completing the lease for an entire floor (21,500sqft) of a prominent building in Barbican.
We are advising a key Central Government body on the lease for their head office in Brighton. This has included negotiating the lease as well as dealing with complex sublease issues.
TESTIMONIALS
"The team provide an excellent service across the board. They are always available and will follow up if we have not provided a response to any quires. They absolutely get our requirements and the way we do business."
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LEGAL 500 2024