England - South East • Real estate
2

Commercial property: Beds, Bucks, Herts, Middx

Debenhams Ottaway

More informationMore information

The ‘five-star’ team at Debenhams Ottaway handles a myriad of matters, including owner-occupied property purchases, secured lending work, and landlord and tenant issues. Ruth Boulton leads the practice alongside Jonathan Foy from Radlett and St Albans respectively. Boulton has significant experience in advising owner-managed businesses and banks on high-value residential issues, while Foy handles leases for major corporate occupiers. St Alban’s Neil Mercer advises a variety of clients, with an ‘excellent understanding’ of consortium agreements and development deals.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Good competent team who get it, and just get on with transactions whilst providing good feedback. Great advice and help when needed.’

  • ‘Their individuals make up a terrific team covering a range of law practice. They all perform to the highest standard and our clients have always been well looked after.’

  • ‘I have worked with Ruth Boulton and Neil Mercer for many years and consistently recommend them to our clients.’

  • ‘We have worked with this practice for many decades. The practice has progressed very well - we are always kept up to date, all communication has always been transparent.’

  • ‘Ruth Boulton and Kat McDonagh have always maintained professionalism while being friendly.’

  • ‘Would rate them as a five-star team. Neil Mercer and his team have an in-depth knowledge of property law which together with understanding our requirements have resulted in excellent outcomes. Highly recommended.’

  • 'Neil Mercer has excellent understanding of clients' needs. He is easy to contact and provides quick responses.'

  • ‘They all seem approachable regardless of who you see or who answers the phone. Every client is dealt with promptly.’

  • ‘Neil Mercer is honest, always delivers on time, and always has the answer even if it's not in his remit of work.'

Key clients

  • Harp Group Limited
  • The Church Lands Trust
  • Global Rail Construction Limited
  • Epson
  • Stratton Land
  • Wayhome
  • Luxottica North Europe Limited and Luxottica Retail UK Limited
  • Knoops Holdings
  • Kier Group/ McNicholas Ltd

Work highlights

  • Acting for property developer and promoter Acorn Braintree Limited on its £12m land purchase to develop for residential housing (GDV in excess of £40m).
  • Advising Harp Group Limited on its agreement to purchase 26 sites of Welcome Nurseries by way of pre-pack, following its administration.
  • Advising Epson on the alterations to its UK headquarters.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ruth Boulton
Debenhams Ottaway
Ruth is a partner and the head of the property team. She specialises in all types of commercial property including landlord and tenant, freehold and leasehold sales and purchases and secured lending work. Ruth is experienced at dealing with a range of transactions from complex and high-value multi-million-pound sales and purchases to simple leasehold matters. She handles sales and acquisitions, investment and owner-occupied commercial property, portfolio management and property aspects of company sales and purchases. She acts for a wide range of clients from large corporates and banks to private individuals, retailers, investors, public bodies and developers.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ruth Boulton, Jonathan Foy

Other key lawyers

Neil Mercer, Kat McDonagh

© 2024 Legalease Ltd. All rights reserved

Registered company in England & Wales No. 2423756 VAT 324572722

Registered address: 188 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2AG