The team at CMS routinely acts for its varied client roster, which notably includes Manchester City Council, Mayfield Development Partnerships and Goldman Sachs, on the full gamut of matters. The ‘excellent' team, praised for providing a 'first-rateservice’, advises on a range of high-value projects, including large-scale developments, portfolio asset management, and significant acquisitions and disposals. The 'outstanding' Mark Haywood is an expert in mixed-use regeneration and investment. Key names within the team include Tanya Francis, who ’goes above and beyond’ for her clients and specialises in key development and regeneration projects, ‘trusted advisor’ Nathan Jansen and Stephanie Adjepong. Michael Buchanan joined the team in July 2023 from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘CMS are an excellent team which provides a first-rate service; they are attentive to the needs of the client, understand the intricacies of the deal, partnerships or critical relationships, and provide pointed and relevant advice.’

  • ‘Nathan Jansen is an excellent and trusted advisor. He provides first-rate client service and is someone to turn to when you have a complex transaction.’

  • ‘CMS always provide a strong and dedicated presence on projects. We have worked with this team on a substantial amount of transactions.'

  • 'CMS really have proven the right choice in being our long term legal partner for our fundamental real estate matters. An incredibly diverse team with a particular focus on promoting female lawyers which is incredibly refreshing in our industry!’
  • ‘Tanya Francis goes above and beyond and selects a good team to work on the various projects. Always available to discuss matters and ensures follow through.’

  • ‘CMS are uniquely placed in the North West market to deliver vary large, complex, forward-funded annuity grade transactions. ’

  • ‘Mark Haywood is an outstanding lawyer who leads his team with distinction. He is commercial, sensible and driven to find solutions to deliver transactions. His ability to coordinate a transaction from both an internal and external perspective has huge client value.'

  • ‘Nathan Jansen and Stephanie Adjepong are noteworthy.’

Key clients

  • Sainsbury’s
  • Mayfield Development Partnership
  • Arrow Capital Partners
  • Manchester Airport Group
  • Genr8 Developments
  • Far East Consortium
  • Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
  • Cerberus European Investments LLC
  • Barings Real Estate Asset Management
  • Tristan Capital
  • Pimco Europe Limited
  • Muse Places
  • Roberto Cavalli
  • Assura PLC
  • Placefirst
  • Tritax Symmetry
  • New River REIT
  • AimCo
  • Matalan
  • Delancy
  • Manchester City Council
  • Mountpark Logistics
  • Places for People Leisure Management Limited
  • Columbia Threadneedle Investments
  • Patrizia UK
  • Brockston Capital LLP
  • Blackrock Investment Management UK
  • Salford City Council
  • Select Group / Vita
  • Morris Homes
  • Sigma Capital
  • English Cities Fund
  • Ask Real Estate Limited
  • Cole Waterhouse
  • Cromwell Property Group
  • London and Continental Railways
  • BUPA
  • CityHeart Ltd
  • Renaker
  • Metropolitan Borough of St Helens
  • Benson Elliot
  • AECOM Limited
  • EasyHotels
  • The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
  • Caddick Developments Limited
  • Goldman Sachs
  • Civitas
  • Salboy Limited
  • ARA Dunedin
  • The G Group of Companies
  • Argos
  • CBRE Global Investors
  • National Grid, Cadent Gas and Strathclyde Pension Funds
  • DTZ Investors
  • Bolton City Council
  • Palace Capital
  • Land Securities
  • Tata Chemicals Europe
  • Inovyn Enterprises

Work highlights

  • Advised McLaren Property on its successful appointment as developer of the transformation York Central redevelopment scheme, valued at around £2.5bn.
  • Advised Pensions Insurance Corporation on the £268m forward funding of No. 2 Ruskin Square.

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.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mark Haywood

Other key lawyers

Nathan Jansen, Tanya Francis, Stephanie Adjepong, Michael Buchanan, Tim Williams, Dave Lawson