Real Estate and Planning
The combined specialisms of our property partner John O’Donoghue and planning partners Alice Whittaker and Rachel Minch, mean that clients have access to unrivalled levels of expertise in these interwoven fields.
‘Industry leader’ Philip Lee is highly active for the firm’s strong client base. Legal 500, 2018
Real Estate
Our real estate and planning teams advise a diverse range of clients, including investors, private developers, public sector bodies and financial institutions. The experience we’ve gained from acting in large scale public infrastructure projects helps us forge compact teams that collaborate quickly when required.
Some challenges need us to draw in our dispute resolution or projects and PPP teams; others require collaboration with our tax and corporate teams. Whatever challenge you face, our focus is always on completing the deal, taking great care with every detail and keeping cool heads.
Key areas where clients seek our real estate advice
- Purchase, sale, development and letting of commercial property
- Landlord and Tenant issues
- Real estate finance
- Restructuring and enforcement
- Property development
- Joint ventures and Co-ownership schemes
- Tax-based schemes
- Real estate funds
“John O ‘Donoghue is a technically excellent lawyer and is always commercially minded, so he can provide an outstanding all-round service.” Chambers Europe, 2018
Planning
Alice Whittaker and Rachel Minch lead the planning practice. They draw in clients because of their unique combination of expertise in this area, acting for both project developers and the regulatory authorities, and their extensive advisory and litigation experience.
But although clients rely on our technical skills, we are always aware of the bigger picture of protecting and promoting your interests.
Key areas where clients seek our planning advice
- Planning applications and appeals
- Representation at oral hearings
- Strategic infrastructure
- Judicial review
- Planning enforcement – injunctions and prosecutions
- Section 5 referrals and exempted development
- Land-use plans and forward planning
- Foreshore licenses
