In its life, a site can present any number of different opportunities to different occupiers. Probably the most intensive time for expert legal advice in property terms is in preparation for and during the development phase of a project.

It is often pointed out that expensive mistakes are made, for example by erecting the wrong building in a location (or the right building in the wrong location, depending upon how you see it). While this is obvious in architectural terms, similar mistakes can be made with legal structures. Development leases frequently prescribe the form of sublease - but will the property be marketable on those terms? Pre-let agreements frequently guarantee the occupiers a finished building in a given time scale; can the contractor be forced effectively to deliver that building in time?

Our team of property, banking, corporate, commercial, employment and public sector lawyers can come together in a variety of combinations in order to ensure that the most complex of projects is handled effectively. Because those lawyers work together and have access to colleagues used to handling disputes as well, the risk of costly duplication is minimised.

Development, above any other area of commercial property work, usually combines the skills of buying, selling, funding, portfolio management, landlord and tenant, planning and environment and joint ventures. Our expertise mentioned elsewhere in this website speaks for itself.