England - South East • Corporate and commercial

Downs Solicitors LLP

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The ‘highly commercial’ and ’friendly, approachable and knowledgeable’ team at Downs Solicitors LLP regularly handles high-value M&A transactions, commercial contract drafting and share sales for clients across a range of sectors including the technology, healthcare and travel industries. ‘Outstanding’ practice head Julian Harvey, based in Dorking, is very ’approachable and highly skilled’ and offers particular experience in shareholder agreements, franchising work and share option schemes, while Godalming-based Richard Clapham also heads up the team and specialises in M&A, corporate finance and restructuring work and advising family investment companies.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Downs are a friendly and skilful team. They have a particularly strong corporate and commercial team, working well with clients and collaborating with other advisers. They communicate complex legal documents well with clients, showing a good appreciation of the real world and commercial realities. They have always delivered high-quality work and excellent customer service.'
  • 'I work predominantly with Richard Clapham who works very well with all clients, is efficient and experienced in advising business clients on complex legal areas.'
  • 'The team are highly commercial with a sound understanding of small and mid-market businesses and the challenges they face. They have excellent communication skills, are very personable and always put their clients' interests first.'
  • 'Julian Harvey has outstanding people and communication skills. He is an excellent negotiator. He is very approachable and highly skilled with a friendly and calm demeanour. He has fantastic legal and technical knowledge and is able explain complex legal issues in plain English so that the client has a full understanding of the issue. Emily MacNiven is an outstanding young professional solicitor. She has knowledge and people skills beyond her years and solid technical ability. She puts clients at ease. She also has excellent negotiation skills and is very well organised.'
  • 'Julian Harvey is a very prompt and easy-going partner. He takes the time to discuss the issue with you and is very likeable and personable as an individual. He delegates to the team well and we have had a fantastic experience with him, and the company and they have supported our clients fantastically, even at short notice.'
  • 'The firm really punches above its weight, has the breadth and depth of legal skills and experience that would be expected from a much larger practice.'
  • 'Their partner accessibility and responsiveness is where they stand out as they are able and willing to take calls or deal rapidly with ad-hoc queries in an efficient manner. Access to experienced partners is not always readily available with other firms. I would have to namecheck Julian Harvey as an outstanding partner, have not come across a better commercial lawyer.'
  • 'The team understand the need to listen and clarify the objective of any process. This is key to ensuring that we do not waste time but also enables them to engage and discuss the pros and cons of different approaches. Julian Harvey is a clear guiding hand and ensures that culture and approach is maintained. Charmaine Dudman provides a practical and highly responsive service to our commercial requirements, with an understanding that there needs to be a pragmatic as well as legal position when trading.'

Key clients

  • Clubbable Properties Ltd
  • Cerealto UK Ltd
  • ORIDA Corporation Ltd
  • Dwellcourt Limited
  • Hound and Porter Limited
  • Aronova Interactive Ltd
  • Ishrosh Healthcare Limited
  • Office Base Limited
  • Prosys International Limited
  • CHD Living Ltd
  • EGAP Estates Ltd
  • Guest Holdings Ltd
  • Angela Hartnett (Queen Street) Limited
  • Format Games Limited
  • Star Cargo PLC
  • Office Oracle Group Limited
  • Pan United Ltd
  • Danhouse Security Limited
  • UK Agriculture Produce Ltd.
  • Tortoise & Hare Limited
  • So Sound Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advising the selling shareholders of Etrac Trading Limited on the sale of the entire issued share capital.
  • Advising the selling shareholders of Promain (UK) Limited on the sale of the entire issued share capital.
  • Advising Real Digital International Ltd in relation to different commercial agreements such as collaboration, supplier, distribution and R&D agreements.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Julian Harvey, Richard Clapham

Other key lawyers

Emily MacNiven, Charmaine Dudman