Bevan Brittan LLP’s housing team is well regarded for its expertise in transactions surrounding private placements, bank lending, derivatives, structured finance, and securitisations. Advice on new loans and existing facilities, refinancings, and joint venture arrangements are also a key area for the practice, and the group is active in assisting with the funding of local authorities investing and lending into housing. Louise Leaver chairs the department with expertise in representing both lenders and borrowers, and is ably supported by Sarah Greenhalgh, who handles mergers and general governance work, and Wendy Wilks and Jessica Church, who advises registered providers on the security elements of their finance projects. The group has undergone expansion with the addition of Katie Dyer from Trowers & Hamlins LLP and Rose Klemperer from Devonshires Solicitors LLP at the beginning of 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The firm in the last few years has built a strong social housing team, recruiting some great talent of partners with strong and excellent expertise.’
‘Katie Dyer, who has recently joined Bevan Brittan, has in-depth and great knowledge in the area of property charging. Katie has contributed to efficiencies being made in the wider sector, and she is really approachable and collaborative and makes clients feel at ease by using plain language to explain legal terms.’
‘Friendly to work with and pragmatic.’
‘Bevan Brittan provide an experienced team of loan security specialists in the social housing sector. Their personal touch through established relationships has seen the team grow in strength, team size and reach in sector. They have a breadth of expertise and national coverage.’
‘Katie Dyer, who recently joined Bevan Brittan, brings a depth of experience and knowledge that will strengthen their offering further.’
‘The key distinction with Bevan Brittan is their speed of action. Across the team we see a prompt, informed, and professional response to all matters.’
‘The team at Bevan Brittan are all highly qualified professionals who are extremely knowledgeable about the social housing sector. The team provide sound and pragmatic advice to their clients and seek to increase collaboration wherever possible.'
‘Wendy Wilks and her team are friendly, approachable and professional. They all go the extra mile to make sure that their clients needs are met. They have recently expanded their team to include fee earners from competitor firms who are known for their expertise in the social housing sector and will make excellent additions to a team that is already well respected.’
Key clients
- ForHousing
- Saltaire Finance Plc (ARA Venn)
- Together Housing Group
- Sovereign Network Group
- Orbit Homes
- The Housing Finance Corporation Limited
- Affordable Housing Finance Plc
- bLEND Funding Plc
- Hyde Housing
- Settle Group
- Nottingham Community Homes
- Platform Homes
- ForViva Group
- 54North
- Network Homes
- Settle Group
- Silva Housing Limited
- Southern Housing Group
- VIVID Homes
- M&G Investment Management Limited
- M&G Trustee Company Limited
Work highlights
- Advising Peabody Trust on its major joint venture with Hill Partnerships for the funding and development of the former Ford car manufacturing plant in Dagenham to deliver 935 new homes.
- Advising Saltaire Finance Plc and Saltaire Housing Limited on its delivery of the Government’s Affordable Homes Guarantee through drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and completing the new £50m loan to Coastline Housing.
- Advising Nottingham Community Housing Association on the negotiation and agreement of a new secured £70m, 5 year revolving credit facility.
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 partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Katie Dyer
Bevan Brittan LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Louise Leaver