England - South West • Real estate
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP
Praised for its ‘uniquely personal approach’, Charles Russell Speechlys LLP assists a range of clients – from governments to developers – on the full gamut of commercial property issues. Real estate finance, residential investment, and real estate disputes are among the ’responsive and experienced‘ team’s areas of expertise. Practice chair Ian Brothwood is singled out for his expertise in residential schemes, while lead real estate partner Naomi Nettleton is a key contact for clients from the hotel sector. Phil Webb handles strategic land matters for prominent landowners, while Charlotte Mee, who joined from Dentons in February 2022, has a broad practice that spans acquisitions, disposals, and corporate support work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Clear, succinct and commercial advice.’
‘Reliable, responsive and experienced land and planning team, well versed in the current issues prevailing in residential development and house building.’
‘Ian Brothwood and Phil Webb are a great team to have on side when dealing with complex issues, and they make themselves available to deal with problems as they arise.'
‘The team provide full dedication to a transaction and are able to commercially close within tight timeframes.’
‘Engagement at partner level is very strong, and they are heavily involved in all aspects of the deals.’
‘The practice has a uniquely personal approach where they aim to understand not just the dry commercial objectives, but the motivations that drive the parties involved.'
‘Ian Brothwood and Phil Webb are both excellent. Easy to work with, friendly and approachable. Always looking for the best solution and offering solid intellectual debate of the issues, where required.’
Key clients
- Topland Jupiter Limited
- TLR1 (Allen House) (part of the Topland Group)
- Yellow Pagoda Limited
- Book Essay Limited
- Trustees of the Third Baron Hesketh Settlement Trust
- Rochester Diocesan Society and Board of Finance
- Hollamby Estates Development Limited
- Countryside Properties UK Limited
- Church Commissioners for England
- Manhattan Loft Gardens Limited
Work highlights
- Advised longstanding client, Topland Jupiter Limited on three real estate investment finance transactions with an aggregate value of £33,871,000.
- Advised longstanding client Topland Group on the refinancing of the acquisition costs of Allen House in Kensington with a total value of £50m.
- Acted on an option agreement to facilitate access to a development site for the Trustees of the Third Baron Hesketh Settlement Trust.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Ian has a wide range of experience in the real estate sector acting for corporates, institutions and individuals covering investment, development, real estate finance and occupiers. Ian heads up the Charles Russell Speechlys Strategic Land Team dealing with land promotion, options, collaboration agreements and development finance in relation to sites of up to 2500 homes acting for both landowners and developers. Ian has been consistently ranked in Chambers and in Legal 500 as a leading individual and described by clients as "superb" and someone who "gets things done" providing " very good and considered advice on complex matters" and highlights his "good technical knowledge". The team is described by clients in Legal 500 2020 as providing "a city quality service" and "the clients benefit from the felling of intimacy of a smaller firm but has the depth and experience of a much larger one" with "good availability and exceptional performance " highlighted. Experience: acting on various residential developments in Birmingham and Leicester comprising schemes of between 60 and 120 apartments some involving part funding arrangements by the buyer; acting for several SIPP Providers including Morgan Lloyd and Barnett Waddingham on their commercial property portfolios providing advice on acquisitions and disposals and property management; acting for landowners on the disposal of land for development by land promotion and option of significant schemes comprising more than 2500 houses including setting up ownership structures such as pool trusts, dealing with agricultural tenants and complex s 106 agreements; advising family owned property companies on both commercial and residential portfolios dealing with acquisitions and disposals from £500K to £20 million and property management from lease renewals to the construction and letting of new warehouses with rents up to £1 million pa.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ian Brothwood