The affordable housing practice at Forsters LLP supports registered providers, developers, and contractors with a range of mandates, from the acquisition of land and the development process, to joint ventures, financing, and related disputes. Practice head Sara Branch has notable expertise in the acquisition and development of large and complex mixed-use sites. Branch is ably supported by Jonathan Preece, whose strength lies in planning and construction issues, and Anne O’Neill, who is skilled in large portfolio acquisitions.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team at Forsters are incredibly approachable. They make themselves available and deal with matters in a professional but easy to understand way. They are very good at recognising risk and advising clients on how best to mitigate. They teams we work with are small but powerful in the depth and breadth of their knowledge and experience.’
‘The team at Forsters are always available on the phone and I have found that they do what they say they are going to, when they say they will. In particular I have worked with Jonathan Preece on a number of matters. He takes a pragmatic approach to this which has meant as the client, I have confidence that matters are being dealt with without the need for me to have to chase or be involved in the detail.'
‘The team at Forsters are excellent at both supporting you as a client in relation to complex legal issues, as well as providing timely and complete advice to ensure that deadlines are kept to and your best interests are always covered. They are knowledgeable to the point that they are able to robustly ensure that your interests are protected in any deal.’
‘Both Sara Branch and Charlotte Youngs are superb at being available for the client at all times and providing good, timely advice on complex issues and then representing robustly in negotiations.’
‘Forsters are a very personable team, easy to talk to, reliable, available and friendly. They are also unfailingly professional and thorough. ’
‘Charlotte Youngs is forensic and diligent. Jonathan Preece is pragmatic and professional.’
‘Very responsive and commercial in approach. Skilled at distilling complex legal issues into clear advice enabling effective client decision making’
‘Sara Branch is very clear to deal with and provides straight forwards advice about complex matters enabling good decisions.’
Key clients
- Notting Hill Genesis
- Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association
- Preferred Homes
- Kidbrooke Partnership LLP
- Hastoe Housing Association
- Springboard Two Housing Association Limited
- Soho Housing Association Limited
- Newlon Housing Trust
- Mount Anvil
- Gallions 2A Developments LLP
- Gallions 2B Development LLP
- Chobham Farm North LLP
- Project Light Development 1 Limited
- Project Light Development 2 Limited
- Armada 1 South Development LLP
- TLD Kidbrooke LLP
- Spray Street Quarter LLP
- Knight Dragon
Work highlights
- Reappointed as legal advisors to the Notting Hill Genesis Group for another 4 years after a highly competitive 2 stage tender process run over a 6-month period.
- Advising Mount Anvil and Newlon Housing Trust on their joint venture, covering all planning matters relating to the extensive estate regeneration of the Barnsbury Estate in Islington.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sara Branch