Overview

With one of the largest and most experienced teams of real estate finance lawyers in the UK we have the resources and market insight to provide you with strategic advice across a broad range of financing transactions.

We regularly provide advice on both development and investment transactions in the core traditional offices, retail, hotels and industrial markets. In the alternative markets, have been involved in student accommodation and renewables since their inception, and have a growing reputation in Build to Rent.

We advise banks, lending institutions, real estate debt funds and borrowers on both a UK and cross-jurisdictional basis. As a result of this holistic experience, we appreciate the commercial and legal requirements of all parties, ensuring more effective transaction advice and efficient execution.

With the experience of three recessions under our belt, we can navigate the commercial and credit risks of your financing transaction, ensuring that funding arrangements are executed effectively and your exposure to risk is minimised.

Areas of focus

Our expertise in real estate finance includes:

  • Commercial and residential portfolio acquisitions and disposals
  • Lending for real estate acquisitions and development projects
  • Restructuring existing finance arrangements
  • Loan book sales
  • Syndicated and bi-lateral transactional work
  • Warehousing facilities and securitisations
  • Tax efficient security structures
  • Defaulting real estate-backed loans and inter-creditor issues
  • Non-transactional work such as standard form loan documentation
  • Islamic finance structures
  • Scottish real estate finance
  • Realisation of real estate security in enforcement situations for lenders, receivers and administrators
Experience

MetLife on the debt funding provided for the refinance of two office properties in prime locations in Jersey’s financial district with a total value of over £131 million.

Helaba as lender on the financing of a trophy office in Glasgow and a newly completed development in Manchester.

Lloyds in relation to a £50 million facility to fund a mixed commercial and residential portfolio.

HSBC in relation to investment and development facilities to luxury hotel group, Harbour Hotels.

Leumi UK on a £14 million facility to fund Pier 7, Salford Quays, a site earmarked for residential development.

HSBC in relation to the provision of an £80 million facility to a joint venture between Kier Living and a housing association for the acquisition and development of various sites.

HSBC and RBS on a joint £180 million investment and development facility to a student accommodation provider.

Ahli United Bank on the disposal of a Guernsey based, sharia compliant, UK property fund specialising in student accommodation.

UK Private Bank in composing their suite of facility and security documentation for use in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Generator Group on facilities totalling £16.5 million in respect of residential developments.

abrdn on the £66m refinancing of a property portfolio owned by part of the Commercial Estates Group with assets located in England and Scotland.

US Bank on the real estate and construction aspects of the development financing of the new £365m Manchester Arena.

Pluto Property Finance on a £41m bridging facility for a 500 unit residential scheme.

Specialist PBSA lender, Kinetic Capital on its inaugural transaction- being a £39m development facility for a 522 bed scheme in Nottingham.

Coutts & Company on a term loan facility agreement to finance various hotels in the UK.

Tristan Capital as borrower on a facility agreement to refinance the acquisition of student accommodation in Liverpool.

A real estate investment fund on a c. £100m investment loan facility for the acquisition of a portfolio of new build PRS assets.

A bank on a c.£65m investment loan facility to refinance a high profile city centre mixed us retail, office and leisure asset made available to a European pension fund owned corporate group.

A debt fund on an up to c. £75m accordion facility made available to a Luxembourg fund for the acquisition of affordable housing assets.

A bank on sterling and euro facility made available to a pan-European fund for the acquisition of retail assets in the UK and Europe.

A global real estate investment group on c.£200m of development facilities in respect of logistics assets in the UK provided by US and European debt funds.

A bank on a c. £40m senior investment facility and related intercreditor issues in respect of the refinancing of a PRS development asset.

Meet the team
Alistair Rattray

Alistair Rattray Director

  • Real Estate Finance
  • Housing
  • Healthcare
Amy McVey

Amy McVey Director

  • Banking and Finance 
  • Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency
  • Real Estate Finance 
Colin Ligman

Colin Ligman Partner

  • Real Estate
  • Banking and Finance
  • Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency
Christian-Mulvihill

Christian Mulvihill Senior Associate

  • Construction and Engineering 
  • Real Estate Development
  • Housing 
James Sutherland

James Sutherland Partner

  • Head of Real Estate Disputes
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Professional Negligence
Katie Allen

Katie Allen Partner

  • Real Estate Finance
  • Hotels
  • Banking and Finance
Nia Stewart profile image

Nia Stewart Director

  • Construction and Engineering
  • Public Sector
  • Education
Paul Browne

Paul Browne Partner

  • Head of International Trade
  • Real Estate
  • Nuclear
Headshot of Paul Clark

Paul Clark Director

  • Real Estate
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Scottish Real Estate
Richard Leeming

Richard Leeming Partner

  • Banking and Trade Finance
  • Derivatives, Debt Capital Markets and Securitisations
  • Real Estate Finance
Robert Forman

Robert Forman Partner

  • Head of Scottish Real Estate 
  • Real Estate Advisory
  • Real Estate Investment
Headshot of Rohan Campbell

Rohan Campbell Partner

  • Real Estate Finance
  • Banking and Finance
  • Real Estate 
Sally Jupp

Sally Jupp Partner

  • Real Estate Finance
  • Corporate Turnaround and Insolvency
  • Real Estate Investment and Development
Steven James

Steven James Partner

  • Construction and Engineering 
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Construction Disputes
Stuart McMillan

Stuart McMillan Partner

  • Head of Infrastructure
  • Banking and Finance
  • Energy finance
Headshot of Tom Farrell

Tom Farrell Director

  • Real Estate Finance
  • Banking & Finance
  • Real Estate
     
Will Hall

Will Hall Director

  • Real Estate Services
  • Real Estate Investment 
  • Real Estate Finance

What others say...

The team is well resourced across RE asset classes. They have a breadth of knowledge and I find them practical and commercial when dealing with issues that inevitably surface.

Legal 500 2024

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