Commercial Property
Pure legal knowledge is not enough. Our aim is to really get to know our clients and their business and to work with them and their other advisers to achieve the best possible result. Foot Anstey has highly experienced partners and associates with a strong regional reputation.
The teams in Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton and Truro focus on understanding and achieving clients’ business requirements and is proactive – initiates and facilitates commercial transactions in the South West region and further afield.
The team offers a wide range of skills and expertise, acting for local, regional and national clients.
It is strongly supported by property litigation, licensing and planning niches within the firm and has strong links with local and national surveyors, agents, accountants and bankers.
Examples of the team’s work include:
- Acquisition, assembly, and disposal of brown field and green field development sites (freehold purchases, sales, options and conditional contracts).
- Advising a consortium of landowners on a transaction with a major developer.
- Advising the leisure industry on acquisitions and disposals of restaurants, pubs, hotels, night clubs and holiday parks.
- Advising a national client on suitable sites across the UK for the location of depots for refrigeration disposal facilities in readiness for 2002 disposal restrictions (property and environmental issues).
- Advising on international air carrier on property portfolio and property management issues.
- Advising lenders on secured lending transactions.
- Advising local authorities on property portfolio transactions.
- Advising private clients on commercial property investments.
- Advising educational institutions on property acquisitions and disposals.
- Advising on the acquisition of a major regional sporting estate.
- Advising in relation to the sale and lease back of development for the construction of a new health centre.
The most recent editions of the independent directories Chambers and Legal 500 comment on the team and its lawyers as follows:
The firm: This “regional heavyweight” is praised by clients for providing “solid, all-round advice .” The team has enjoyed an increase in instructions from major house builders and developer clients, and has a thriving niche in leisure property matters. Chambers 2008
Clients of Foot Anstey feel that “the level of expertise within the firm is certainly among the best in the South West”. . Legal 500 2007
The lawyers: Head of the practice area Simon Gregory has a “depth of knowledge and speedy approach” that inspires client loyalty. Interviewees point out how the committed practitioner “works hard and rolls his sleeves up to make a deal happen.” Described by sources as “approachable and easy to deal with,” Keith Biggs “knows what you are trying to achieve from a deal.” Chambers 2008
Taunton-based partner Michael Gay is recommended for his “excellent work on large development sites” Legal 500 2007
For initial advice, please contact:
- Richard Sutton at the Plymouth office on 01752 675090
- Simon Gregory at the Exeter office on 01392 685271
- Michael Gay at the Taunton office on 01823 625645
- Gavin Poole at the Truro office on 01872 243344
