With strong expertise in commercial and residential properties, the ‘very well run team’ at Cripps in Tunbridge Wells includes ’hardworking, intelligent problem solvers’ and regularly advises property investment companies, housing associations, corporates, retail parks and warehouse owners. Practice head Stephen Hedley provides ‘excellent advice’ and has recently handled the acquisition of logistics sites and disposals of retail assets. Sarah Ferguson is particularly experienced in the affordable housing sector, while Ed Fowler has a specialism in acting for luxury UK and international retailers and restaurateurs. Another key lawyer is Ben Johnston, who specialises in landlord and tenant matters, retail property and asset management work, and shopping centre investments. In early 2024, the firm merged with Horsham-based firm PDT Solicitors, which added the expertise of James Clewlow, Jane Bowden and Craig Burton.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very well run team, efficient handling of work and go the extra mile to get deals done.’

  • ‘Hard working, intelligent problem solvers that are always on the end of a phone call.’

  • ‘We use Stephen Hedley at Cripps and we get excellent advice and his response is always very quick.’

  • ‘Stephen Hedley has an excellent understanding of our portfolio and deals with everything quickly and in a sensible way. We enjoy working with him.’

Key clients

  • Cadogan
  • Convivia Homes
  • Federated Hermes
  • Greymoor Homes
  • GoPuff
  • Kennedy Wilson
  • Peer Group
  • The Sea Hive Limited
  • Tristan Capital Partners
  • SMCP UK Limited

Work highlights

  • Acted in connection with Kennedy Wilson’s £230m acquisition and funding of a portfolio of 20 UK urban logistics assets.
  • Negotiated on behalf of the client, Golding Homes Limited, with the Council and other stakeholders on the development of affordable housing within a mixed-use scheme, including obligations regarding biodiversity and open space.
  • Advised Gopuff on a pipeline of acquisitions of high street retail stores and industrial warehouses for its online grocery delivery service.

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Cripps
Ben is a partner in the real estate team acting for clients in both the private and public sector. His role includes advising large property investment companies, pension funds, private equity companies and local authorities on a wide variety of general commercial property matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Stephen Hedley

Other key lawyers

Sarah Ferguson, Ed Fowler, Ben Johnston, James Clewlow, Jane Bowden, Craig Burton, Holly Goacher, Chehraz Fox