England - London • Real estate
Macfarlanes LLP
One client notes that Macfarlanes LLP has ‘invested in building up a strong property finance practice with enough resources in terms of lawyers, and, above all, sophistication and excellent technical ability, to handle top-notch mandates’. Well-balanced between lender and borrower representation, Colin Morgan’s team of specialists acts in intercreditor negotiations involving multi-layered capital structures, whole loan financing, build-to-rent financing, hotel and student accommodation and advising high-net-worth individuals on buying or refinancing residential properties. Laura Bretherton has ‘significant experience across a range of real estate financing matters’. Restructuring partner Jat Bains is also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Laura Bretherton is very capable and has significant experience across a range of real estate financing matters. She clearly has excellent technical knowledge and can apply this in a practical manner to deliver pragmatic and commercial advice.’
‘The team is well-balanced. Macfarlanes demonstrates that the firm has invested in building up a strong property finance practice that has enough resources in terms of lawyers, and, above all, sophistication and excellent technical ability, to handle top-notch mandates. They argue their positions beyond mere “market standard” arguments, always supporting their position in strong legal arguments based in recent case law, precedents, and their knowledge of the market. ’
‘Colin Morgan has led advice in most of the matters that I have entrusted to Macfarlanes. I would highlight the practicality of his advice, which is always supported by strong legal arguments. His thoughtful contributions are brilliant and reveal his tenacity and depth of inquiry.’
‘Jat Bains is solutions driven, authoritative and a great mentor to his team.’
‘The Macfarlanes real estate finance team is a market-leading, well-organised, engaged and pleasant team to work with. They work efficiently and diligently and make themselves available to assist even on challenging timelines. Their advice is commercial, taking all aspects of the legal and factual matrix into account.’
‘Colin Morgan is a very experienced, level-headed adviser who knows the market very well. He manages his team excellently to ensure a high level of client care and goes above and beyond to guide his clients through even the most challenging of transactions.
- 'Laura Bretherton was central to assisting us through a very challenging transaction last year. Throughout, she demonstrated strong technical legal skills coupled with sensible commercial views to assist us in finding an acceptable solution to each issue which arose.'
Key clients
- Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited
- Brookfield Asset Management
- Hayfin Capital Management LLP (“Hayfin”)
- Ashford Investor Limited Partnership
- ARA Venn
- VeCREF II S.à r.l.
- Legal & General UK Build To Rent Fund LP
- Realstar
Work highlights
- Assisted Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited with loan facilities of c.£240 million made available to finance the acquisition of a portfolio of student accommodation and buy to rent properties in London, Coventry and Manchester (worth £388 million and comprising c.2,000 beds).
- Advised Brookfield Asset Management on a senior and mezzanine financing provided by a club of senior lenders and a mezzanine debt fund, to refinance the acquisition of 20 Churchill Place in Canary Wharf.
- Advised Hayfin Capital Management LLP on their refinancing of Red Oak Taverns’ extensive pub portfolio in the UK. The refinancing forms part of Hayfin’s direct lending strategy and will support Red Oak Taverns’ ambitious acquisition programme over the next five years.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Colin Morgan