Clients in the hotel, retail, and leisure sectors routinely instruct the ‘incredibly responsive, talented, and knowledgeable’ team at Muckle LLP on the full range of commercial property mandates, with particular expertise handling major transactions for clients at both the regional and national levels. Acting for banks and other lenders, the group has seen a recent uptick in instructions related to real estate finance, as well as real estate-related joint ventures. The team, led by development and investment transactions expert Jonathan Combe, also includes Will McKay, who attracts praise for his ‘sound commercial advice’. On the transactional front, key names include Deborah Lazenby, whose broad practice covers investments, property finance issues, and occupier work, and Libbie Henderson, who is a key contact for clients in the land-based energy sector.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Will McKay is recommended for his overall knowledge and advice. Tom Small is a very promising young entrant to the field.'
'We deal mainly with Deborah Lazenby. What we particularly like about Deborah is her caring attitude in that she always makes us feel that she is committed to learning about our needs and ensuring that they are met. It feels like we are working as one team. She has made sure that she has an in-depth knowledge of our estate and our priorities as a business. She is great at keeping us involved and informed and has always been willing to go the extra mile for us.'
'Muckle provide all our legal services. I have always found them incredibly responsive, with talented and knowledgeable individuals assigned appropriately. Issues and risks are explained with context in simple terms to allow us to make informed decisions in the matters being considered. I would be happy to recommend the Muckle LLP team.'
'Libbie Henderson is the property lead for our organisation. She is always incredibly responsive and a pleasure to work with. She has an excellent eye for detail, ensuring our best interests are represented at all stages. We have had a number of extremely complicated transactions which Libbie has led on, bringing in specialisms at appropriate points to support and achieve the best result for our organisation.'
'Our relationship with Muckle LLP spans residential, mixed-use and strategic land promotion, as well as work related to minerals issues. Their team are proactive, approachable, and professional. It is these simple 'traditional' values based on a determination to do a good job and a will to win which sets them apart.'
'James Armstrong is our principal contact and we regard him as an exceptional practitioner. He is level-headed and pragmatic, with a tremendous work ethic and ability to respond quickly whilst maintaining high-quality output. He is highly recommended.'
'Will McKay is recommended for commercial property.'
'Will McKay has been the relationship partner for 20 years. Will provides sound partner-led commercial advice on all aspects of development including: development and funding agreements; leasing; and sale and purchase.'
Key clients
- MRP Land
- Vertu Motors
- The Football Foundation
- Sport England
- Kans and Kandy
- Home Group
- Persimmon Homes
- Newcastle College Group
- Mandale Group
- Kitwave
- Hays Travel
- Gentoo Group
- Newcastle University
Work highlights
- Advised MRP Hammersmith Limited (part of the McAleer & Rushe group) on the acquisition of Liberty House, 76-80 Hammersmith.
- Advised the Football Foundation (The National Football Trust) in relation to the development by the local authority of five floodlit 3G football turf pitches (FTPs) and 12 improved grass pitches.
- Advised Monkwearmouth Development Ltd, a joint venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited, which is working with NTW Solutions Limited, a limited company established by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, for an extension to Mokwearmouth Hospital.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jonathan Combe