Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP predominately acts for borrowers in the social housing sector, and the team boasts expertise in capital markets, the funding of joint ventures, and the use of treasury vehicles. The group is also known for advising on refinancings and restructurings with a specialist property charging team, as well as on mergers and property development finance mandates. Birmingham-based consultant Ashley Allton and Julia Robertson, who joined the firm from Trowers & Hamlins LLP at the end of 2023, jointly sit at the helm of the team. Robertson’s client base includes high-profile national housing associations and national and challenger banks. Adriana Klincova is skilled in project and property finance, while Michael Nutman has expertise in transactional, regulated, and unregulated finance matters. Natalie Singh joined Trowers & Hamlins LLP in January 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘ACS are a borrower-side law firm in the social housing finance market.'

  • 'Michael Nutman has really good deal management skills and his non-confrontational style works well in this sector.’
  • ‘They were friendly and enthusiastic about our project and they were able to explain complex legal structures to me in a way that helped me understand them.’

  • ‘I worked with Michael Nutman and I found him to be approachable, clear and personable. ’

  • 'The banking team feels balanced.'

  • ‘A key strength and differentiator of Anthony Collins and their staff is not just their sector expertise but their focus and ability to utilise this expertise to the individual circumstances of their clients.'

  • 'Throughout the year, Anthony Collins have contacted us with advice on matters that they have identified are relevant to us and our business.’

Key clients

  • Walsall Housing Group Limited
  • Futures Housing Group
  • Leeds Federated Housing Association Limited
  • West Kent Housing Association
  • Bolton At Home Limited
  • Citizen Housing Group
  • Housing Plus Group
  • Golding Homes Limited
  • Gloucestershire City Homes Limited
  • Weaver Vale Housing Trust

Work highlights

  • Advised WKHA on a wide range of funding work-streams in the second half of the financial year, including two amendment and restatements, three new facilities, and one linked ISDA which in aggregate has provided WKHA with loans of £224m on improved terms and new funding of £175m on innovative terms.
  • Advised Housing Plus on the amendment of its existing £245m loan facilities agreement with Nationwide Building Society together with a new £45m revolving credit loan facility with Lloyds Bank plc.
  • Advised GCH on the amendment and restatement of their existing £100m facility with The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ashley Allton, Julia Robertson

Other key lawyers

Adriana Klincova, Michael Nutman