Ian is a Private Property solicitor with over 25 years’ experience handling prime and super-prime London residential property transactions. He has advised some of the world’s most powerful people investing in the London prime residential property sector on buying, selling and developing in London. Most of Ian’s clients are international, and have included foreign royal families, country leaders and the owners of successful businesses. As well as advising high-net-worth individuals, Ian advises major property companies. He has also assisted international banks with property finance deals. Ian is dual-qualified in England and Wales and in the British Virgin Islands. He often advises banks, companies and law firms on the ability of BVI companies to enter into property and other transactions. In 2019, Ian was top-ranked in The Spear’s 500, in Chambers HNW and in The Legal 500.
England - London • Real estate
Keystone Law
‘Keystone Law has a depth of like-minded quality lawyers who all work in complete harmony – the ’team’ is very effective at delivering excellent advice and positive outcomes’. It boasts an excellent portfolio of high-net-worth clients. The group is skilled at advising on the full spectrum of residential property matters from sales and acquisitions to developments, financings, enfranchisement and disputes. Ian Cooke is vastly experienced in handling transactions relating to the prime and super-prime London residential property market. Sakhjit Randhawa frequently advises on high-value residential property acquisitions, sales and new development projects. In addition, Randhawa has a large following in the Middle East, South East Asia and America. Hugh Murphy is another key figure who acts for private clients, landed estates and institutional clients on all aspects of property law. Murphy continues to be instructed by a number of high-profile international and UK-based clients.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Very professional and always responsive. Always there to answer a query, practical solutions and client's best interests always put first’.
‘Hugh Murphy's team continues to deliver an unrivalled personal and professional service in the upper end of the residential and agricultural property market'.
‘Hugh Murphy is always readily available to discuss issues and offer solutions before delivering sound professional advice to our mutual clients with a pragmatic and human touch'.
‘The team at Keystone law are exemplary in every aspect of their work. Their communication is second to none. Ian Cooke is in a class of his own’.
‘Ian Cooke and Sakhjit Randhawa are quite simply exceptional lawyers who really care about delivering excellent advice and service to all their clients. Their service and advice is nothing short of outstanding and highly professional'.
- 'Katie Cohen is very knowledgeable in leasehold reform and very conscientious in her work'.
- 'Hugh Murphy is an extremely experienced residential property lawyer, who is user-friendly and brings a can do attitude to any scenario'.
- 'Jason Roston is truly excellent; incredibly efficient and always helpful. Offers fantastic support to his clients. The best solicitor I have worked with.'
Key clients
- The Old War Office Project, Whitehall, London SW1
- 60 Curzon Street Limited
- Regent’s Crescent Property Holdings
- British Land PLC and Clarges Mayfair Residential Management Company Limited
- Chester Collection Limited
- Buyers at Southbank Place, London
- Buyers at Chelsea Barracks, London SW3
- Edd China
- Prue Leith
Work highlights
- Instructed on The Old War Office Project - handling the residential apartment sales - all being built to a super-prime specification. There are 85 apartments in the building, and it is instructed to sell all of them one by one to the individual buyers of the apartments.
- Instructed by Brockton Everlast Inc and their special purpose company, 60 Curzon Street Limited, to advise on the residential apartment sales of their prime Mayfair residential property scheme at 60 Curzon Street. There are 42 luxury apartments in this stunning location and the gross development value is expected to be around £600m.
- Advising British Land PLC throughout this development and sales programme of their super-prime Clarges, Mayfair development opposite the Ritz since the decision was made to purchase the original office building, knock it down and create some ultra-luxury residential apartments. Ian and Sakhjit have handled with their team all apartment sales and have concluded the final sales during 2022.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading individuals
Sakhjit is a Private Property solicitor with over 17 years’ experience dealing with prime and super-prime London residential property transactions, in particular high-value residential property acquisitions, disposals and developments. Her clients include ultra-high-net-worth individuals, property development companies, high-profile entrepreneurs, overseas ruling family members, celebrities and international investors. Most of the transactions she advises on are within the prime and super-prime London postcodes.