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Commercial Property & Development

Welcome to Dean Wilson LLP, a leading commercial real estate law firm in England.  With our extensive expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, we provide comprehensive legal solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients in the dynamic world of commercial real estate.

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Partner-led service

Commercial property market

We pride ourselves on providing a ‘City of London’ service, without the London price tag, and we have built an enviable reputation by offering a partner-led service with a focus on achieving successful results for all of our clients.  Because we are business people too, we understand your needs and objectives.

We understand the complex and ever-evolving landscape of the commercial property market.  Our team of experienced and dedicated lawyers specialise in all aspects of real estate, offering a wide range of services to investors, developers, landlords, tenants, lenders, and other stakeholders involved in the property industry.

As a client-focused firm, we prioritise building long-term relationships with our clients based on trust, integrity, and exceptional service.  Our lawyers work closely with each client, taking the time to understand their goals, challenges, and specific requirements.  With this deep understanding, we craft innovative and practical legal strategies to achieve favorable outcomes efficiently and effectively.

Commercial Property

Solicitor Services

Our areas of expertise encompass a broad spectrum of commercial real estate matters, including property acquisition and disposition, commercial leasing, property development, financing, joint ventures, property management, and more. We represent clients in a wide range of industries, from retail and hospitality to office spaces, industrial and substantial complex property development.

At Dean Wilson LLP, we take pride in our ability to navigate the complexities of commercial real estate law, offering practical solutions that align with our clients' objectives and protect their interests. We are dedicated to providing exceptional client service, combining our legal expertise with responsive communication and a collaborative approach.

We invite you to explore our website to learn more about our services, our team, and our track record of success. When you choose Dean Wilson LLP, you can trust that you are partnering with a respected and experienced commercial real estate law firm that is committed to achieving the best possible results for you.

Scott Gair Dean Wilson

Scott Gair

Partner & Head of Commercial Real Estate

Scott Gair Dean Wilson

Scott Gair

Partner & Head of Commercial Real Estate

Areas of Specialism

Scott is a highly experienced solicitor and heads up the firm’s Commercial Real Estate team.  With over 20 years of experience in the legal sector, Scott has established a reputation for providing excellent service, achieving positive outcomes for his clients and prides himself on taking a detailed yet commercial and pragmatic approach to his work.

Scott specialises in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions and the bulk of his day-to-day work involves working with property investors and landlords with considerable portfolios and dealing with the ongoing legal work that this typically involves.  

Scott specialises in licensing too.  Scott used to teach the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) at City College in Brighton and the Award for Licensing Practitioners (ALP) to Sussex Police and Sussex based Licensing Authorities.  This experience allows Scott to act for a number of clients with licensed premises, advising them on not only the commercial property aspects, but also the licensing elements too.  This places him in a unique position within the industry, specialising in both disciplines.

Scott is known for his dedication to his clients and his ability to provide clear and practical advice.  He takes the time to understand his clients’ needs and works closely with them to achieve their goals.

Recent Client Matters

  • Involved in a large corporate acquisition which included over 55 commercial properties;
  • Multiple eight figure portfolio refinances; 
  • Acquisition of a retail portfolio for over £10m;
  • Refinance of commercial and residential portfolio worth over £5m

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor 
  • LLB Hons
  • PTLLS

Scott can be contacted by email: sg@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249265. 

David Barling Dean Wilson

David Barling

Partner, Property Department

David Barling Dean Wilson

David Barling

Partner, Property Department

Areas of Specialism

David Barling is one of the Partners in the Property Department and has considerable experience in all types of Commercial Property Law.

David acts for a number of property investors and property companies on a wide scale and is used to dealing with very high value transactions.  David also deals with mortgages and in particular, high value loan market association type mortgages.  

David is also experienced in Local Government work having been a member of a number of Councils over the years latterly West Sussex County Council.

siobhan cox dean wilson

Siobhan Cox

Partner & Head of Department, Property Department 

siobhan cox dean wilson

Siobhan Cox

Partner & Head of Department, Property Department 

Areas of Specialism

Siobhan is the Head of the Residential Property Department. 

Siobhan has worked for Dean Wilson LLP for over 20 years and specialises in both Residential and Commercial property transactions. 

Siobhan has a vast amount of clients worldwide and has an excellent reputation with estate agents, mortgage brokers, surveyors and the like.

Recent Client Matters

  • Sale of London Residence worth in excess of £5m, 
  • Refinance of commercial and residential portfolio worth in excess of £20m
  • Purchase of block of residential units worth in excess of £50m

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor 
  • LLB Hons

Siobhan can be contacted by email: sac@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249205. 

Siobhan is assisted by Fatima Hussain, Paralegal within the Property Department. Fatima’s contact details are: Email: fyh@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249209. 

david hodge dean wilson

David Hodge

Partner & Head of Real Estate Commercial Development 

david hodge dean wilson

David Hodge

Partner & Head of Real Estate Commercial Development 

Areas of Specialism

David has a wealth of experience and heads up the firm’s Commercial Development Team.  David has 40 years of experience in the property sector acting largely for developers, investors, dealer’s and high net worth individuals along with their family offices.

David specialises in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions and heads up a team specialising in Options, Promotion Agreements, Conditional Contracts, Infrastructure Agreements, Planning Agreements and Investments Properties as well as looking after some substantial and diverse property and land portfolio’s which his clients have built up over the years – many of Davids clients have been with him for 25 years or more.  

David works closely with the team which comprises Sinead Dye (Associate Solicitor), Amy Edwards (Solicitor), Isabelle Svendsen (Paralegal), Samanda Mazreku (Legal Assistant) and Beverely McLoughlin (Assistant).  The team always look for solutions and take a flexible and pragmatic approach – the team are proactive, not reactive and the culture is “how” can we make this deal happen when obstacles are presented. The Team are experienced in acquiring land (often site assembling) and taking the development through to the sale of individual units and we deal with developments comprising single units to in excess of 150 units.  The team are also experienced in land trades and are not fazed in dealing with sites with a GDV in excess of £100m  

David can be contacted by email: dh@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 249

Jo Taylor Dean Wilson

Jo Taylor

Partner, Real Estate & Commercial Property and Development 

Jo Taylor Dean Wilson

Jo Taylor

Partner, Real Estate & Commercial Property and Development 

Areas of Specialism

Jo trained and practised at a silver circle corporate law firm for a decade before moving to a regional firm in Gatwick. When the opportunity finally arose to practise in Brighton 7 years ago, Jo jumped at the chance of joining Dean Wilson LLP. 

With almost 20 years’ experience, Jo specialises in all areas of non-contentious commercial property, property finance and development. She acts for a variety of clients: investors, developers, landlords, tenants, assignees in relation to refinancing, acquisitions, disposals, leases, management matters and development contracts.

Recent Client Matters

  • Acquisition of multi-let office block
  • Financing and refinancing of commercial portfolios
  • Business acquisitions 
  • Leases and regears

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor 
  • BSocSc Hons
  • Masters
  • PgDL

Jo can be contacted by email: jnt@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249252. 

Jo is assisted by Poppy Spencer, Paralegal within the Real Estate Department. Poppy’s contact details are: Email: ps@deanwilson.co.uk Direct Dial: 01273 249225. 

sinead dye dean wilson

Sinead Dye

Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

sinead dye dean wilson

Sinead Dye

Associate Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

Areas of Specialism

Sinead is an associate solicitor with over 5 years of experience in the Real Estate team. Sinead has experience in all aspects of commercial property with a focus on land development and the strategic land sector.

Sinead acts for both regional developers and landowners on a wide range of transactions including major land acquisition, land promotion, residential new build estate set ups and plot sales. Sinead’s wide scope of work has given her the experience and expertise to provide a comprehensive service and advise longstanding clients on multiple transactions to assist their ongoing business needs.

Sinead is proactive in her approach and works closely with her clients to achieve their goals in a timely manner.

Sinead works closely with the team which comprises David Hodge (Partner), Amy Edwards (Solicitor), Isabelle Svendsen (Paralegal), Samanda Mazreku (Legal Assistant) and Beverley McLoughlin (Assistant).  The team always look for solutions and take a flexible and pragmatic approach – the team are proactive, not reactive and the culture is “how” can we make this deal happen when obstacles are presented. The team are experienced in acquiring land (often site assembling) and taking the development through to the sale of individual units and we deal with developments comprising single units to in excess of 150 units. The team are also experienced in land trades and are not fazed in dealing with sites with a GDV in excess of £100m .

Recent Client Matters

  • Dealt with the estate set up for a residential development of 93 new dwellings;
  • Acting on a site acquisition for £7m; 
  • Involved in an ongoing refinance of a commercial portfolio worth over £32m.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor 
  • LLB Hons
     

Sinead can be contacted by email: sjd@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 249270. 

David’s email is dh@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 249. 

Amy’s email is ae@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is  01273 249 268.

Isabelle’s email is ixs@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249259.

Samanda’s email is szm@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 263.

Bev’s email is bm@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 242.

francesca lyons dean wilson

Francesca Lyons

Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

francesca lyons dean wilson

Francesca Lyons

Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

Areas of Specialism

Francesca joined Dean Wilson in July 2022 as a solicitor in the commercial property team.

Francesca deals with a broad range of commercial property work ranging from sales and purchases, landlord and tenant matters, secured lending and due diligence title investigations in corporate transactions.

Francesca advises on all aspects of the landlord and tenant relationship and has experience acting for clients from private landowners, limited companies, charities and pension companies.

Qualifications

  • Solicitor 
  • BA Hons

Francesca can be contacted by email: fl@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032345.

amy edwards dean wilson

Amy Edwards

Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

amy edwards dean wilson

Amy Edwards

Solicitor, Commercial Property & Real Estate Department

Areas of Specialism

Amy has recently joined the Commercial Development team in 2023 successfully completing her training contract with Dean Wilson LLP. Amy studied the LPC after completing the GDL with the University of Law part-time whilst working at Dean Wilson LLP as a paralegal.

Amy has experience in dealing with a variety of commercial and residential property transactions, including acquisitions and sales of freehold and leasehold land for both Landlords and Tenants, refinances and re-mortgages for commercial and residential properties and dealing with development site set-up requirements. 

Amy works closely with the team which comprises David Hodge (Partner) Sinead Dye (Associate Solicitor), Isabelle Svendsen (Paralegal), Samanda Mazreku (Legal Assistant) and Beverley McLoughlin (Assistant).  The team always look for solutions and take a flexible and pragmatic approach – the team are proactive, not reactive and the culture is “how” can we make this deal happen when obstacles are presented. The Team are experienced in acquiring land (often site assembling) and taking the development through to the sale of individual units and we deal with developments comprising single units to in excess of 150 units.  The team are also experienced in land trades and are not fazed in dealing with sites with a GDV in excess of £100m.

Recent Client Matters

  • Involved in the ongoing plot sales at a large residential development site;
  • Completion of a simultaneous headlease surrender and the grant of five sub-leases in a large commercial unit; and
  • Involved in an ongoing refinance of a commercial portfolio worth over £32m.

Qualifications, Membership 

  • Solicitor 
  • BA 
  • MA

Amy can be contacted by email: ae@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is  01273 249 268.

David’s email is dh@deanwilson.co.uk or on his direct dial: 01273 249 249. 

Sinead’s email is sjd@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 270

Isabelle’s email is ixs@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249259

Samanda’s email is szm@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 263.

Beverley’s email is bm@deanwilson.co.uk and her direct dial is 01273 249 242

Rebecca Asaolu Dean Wilson

Rebecca Asaolu

Trainee Solicitor

Rebecca Asaolu Dean Wilson

Rebecca Asaolu

Trainee Solicitor

Area of Specialism 

Rebecca is a Trainee Solicitor currently in the commercial property team, assisting Scott Gair and Francesca Lyons on a wide range of commercial real estate transactions. 

Qualifications:

  • LLB 
  • LLM 
  • LPC LLM

Rebecca can be contacted by email: ROA@deanwilson.co.uk or on her direct dial: 01273 032352

Commercial Property

Our commercial property solicitors in Brighton deal with:

Our real estate investment and finance team work within the real estate and corporate departments and focus on real estate finance advising borrowers and lenders on real estate financings, refinancings and restructurings.

Our dedicated real estate team has in-depth experience and understanding of the commercial real estate sector and financing products in that market (e.g. bi-lateral loans, mezzanine loans, development finance, bridging finance, buy to let and more.

For the larger-scale, multidisciplinary transactions we have the expertise and capacity to lead the deal, combining real estate, corporate and where appropriate dispute resolution know how.

Our talented and experienced real estate team offers expertise in every area of commercial real estate asset management from funding through to acquisition, active management and eventual disposal.

We work with a huge variety of commercial real estate investors, developers, financial institutions, local government, individuals and charities.

Some examples of the services we can offer includes:

  • Granting and taking leases
  • Lease renewals
  • Applications for consent – Licence Assign/Sublet/Alter
  • Serving notices (Break Notices, Section 25 and Section 26 Notices)
  • Dispute resolution
  • Break options
  • Dilapidations
  • Tenant insolvency

We work with a variety of leading house builders and developers who are an integral part of our real estate team.

Our specialists can assist on an array of construction and development issues from site acquisition, development agreements and site disposal, promotion agreements, option agreements, joint ventures and planning agreements.  We work closely with our clients to manage and deliver a fast, efficient and consistent disposal strategy too and have a plot sales team who front up that process.

We are acutely aware of the cash demands in the construction industry and the need to turn sites quickly to drive down overheads and maximise profit for all of the stake holders.  Your business is really matters to us – we make it personal yet professional.

  • Promotion Agreements
  • Option Agreements
  • Pre Emption Agreements
  • Joint Venture Agreements

We offer comprehensive and sound licensing advice for a variety of clients based in the licensed sector.

Our specialist licensing experts include advocates, experienced litigators and former licensing tutors.  We have taught the BIIAB Level 2 Award for Personal Licence Holders (APLH) at City College in Brighton and the Award for Licensing Practitioners (ALP) to Sussex Police and Sussex based Licensing Authorities. This means that we act for a number of clients with licensed premises, advising them on not only the commercial real estate aspects, but also on the licensing ones too.  This places us in a unique position within the industry, offering up to date and joined up advice specialising in both disciplines.

We act for owners and tenants of licensed pubs, clubs, restaurants, race courses and vineyards across the country.

  • Premises Licence
  • Premises Licence Review

"I have instructed Scott Gair after recommendation from the estate agents that I sold the property via. He is very efficient and I never had to chase him, in fact often I was the one being late to reply due to being on a holiday aboard. I can definitely recommend using Scott, he replies to email promptly and was able to answer any questions the buyers made on my behalf with understanding of the searches."

Teddy Ng
Goggle Review

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