Representing individuals, companies, pension funds or offshore trusts and structures, we provide sound, tailored advice on commercial property sales and acquisitions, whether retail parks, hotels or office schemes.

Our well-established and highly valued links with agents, lenders, surveyors, brokers and other relevant professionals enable us to offer a comprehensive property finance service too. We are also expert in landlord and tenant matters, and offer real estate litigation services should the need arise.

We specialise in sales and acquisitions of prime London and nationwide properties, and on the transfer of associated corporate bodies and businesses. We work with developers on site acquisitions and contractor issues, advise on licensing, health and safety, and fire risk and asbestos assessments. We work with our corporate and commercial departments in relation to joint ventures. 

Funding plays a major role in most deals in addition to the keen competitive demand for quality properties requiring speed linked with commercially-focused due diligence.

Property finance is a key area for us; representing lenders on a variety of transactions from refinances of individual properties (both commercial and residential) to portfolios of multiple properties including multi-let industrial estates and business parks.

Our expertise

Sample Transactions

  • Acquisition of West End hotel in excess of £10 million via dual offshore jurisdictions.
  • Acquisition of nursing home group in excess of £10 million.
  • Formation of property developer including private equity injection and subsequent acquisition of development sites in the UK with GDV in excess of £50 million.
  • Purchase of multi million-pound UK hotel group.
  • Refinance of a £34 million portfolio of nationwide commercial properties.

Our experience

The Real Estate Team's Testimonials

The property team have an uncanny ability to wear pressure like a loose overcoat, whilst making you feel like you’re their only client! They possess that rare ability of marrying legal knowledge with incredible commercial awareness.

Roy Ledgister

Richard and Lauren at Charles Douglas seamlessly stepped into our sale and purchase halfway through, and efficiently progressed the transactions through to completion in a very tight timetable. They were professional, responsive and a pleasure to deal with. We would not hesitate to recommend them and will certainly use their services again in the future. 

Client

The property team have an uncanny ability to wear pressure like a loose overcoat, whilst making you feel like you’re their only client! They possess that rare ability of marrying legal knowledge with incredible commercial awareness.

Roy Ledgister

Property transactions are expensive, and stressful even if everything goes right, so knowing that we could trust our solicitor was invaluable. Alexy and Justina were brilliant: Fast and clear communication; I don't recall having to ask for anything more than once; when the other side wanted something Alexy and Justina made sure that we knew what our options were for responding. They explained jargon, asked questions to make sure they knew what we wanted and that we understood the process. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Client

Alexy Pemberton has represented the business with skill, care, and diligence in all our related commercial property matters. Alexy made the complexity of our most recent transaction very straightforward and easy to understand for us. She has proved herself to be valued advisor due to her attentiveness, ability, and pro-active nature. She’s friendly, personable, and easy to work with, we’d recommend her without reservation.

Morrow + Lorraine

I would have no hesitation in recommending Charles Douglas Solicitors LLP to anyone. Communication from start to finish was timely, courteous and responsive. Alexy Pemberton was great - efficient, personable, and talked me through the process. Thank you! 

Mr Fabio Oliviero

Director

ELFA Cleaning Limited

Simon is always hugely helpful, and has always been a fantastic support to myself and my team at Foxtons. 

His attention to detail and his knowledge really is exceptional, and I trust him implicitly.

Simon is a fantastic solicitor and is a pleasure to work with.

 

Charles Cutting

Operations Director/Sales Manager

Foxtons

My experience of working with Simon Saunders at Charles Douglas Solicitors has been a genuine pleasure. 

He has been attentive, communicative, pro active and gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure my sale completed in a timely and efficient manner.

I have been so impressed, that we are now referring the majority of our conveyancing business to his company.

Highly recommended.

Simon Welfare

Co founder of Wilfords London Estate Agents

Wilfords London Estate Agents

I recently worked with Simon Saunders on a sale and he was very communicative and proactive and ensured we got the transaction through promptly. I will be recommending him to all my buyers and sellers going forward.

Simon Stillwell

Sales Manager

Martin & Co

I have worked closely with Simon Saunders for many years and push to recommend him on every transaction we deal with. I would highly recommend Simon to anyone looking for an efficient London property lawyer who is always contactable.

Billy Hayes

Managing Director

Invest and Co

Lauren and George have been extremely helpful before, during and even after the completion date of my purchase. They have been very professional throughout the process with a clear and transparent channel of communication. They always look out for what was best for my interest while keeping the process as efficient as possible.

It’s such a pleasure to work with Rahima, her attention to detail is exceptional. Myself and my Foxtons team enjoy the support and assistance on each transaction. Her knowledge is exceptional and I would always trust her with any client of ours.

Charles

Foxtons

Rahima Islam is one of the best conveyancers I have worked with over the years as an estate agent. Great working relationship to use both of our skills to get the client through to exchange and completion. One of very few conveyancers that actually answers the phone, emails and keeps the agent in the loop so the sale proceeds smoothly. Can't recommend her enough!

Rae Firminger

Associate - Sales

Chestertons

It was my great pleasure to deal with you as a member of CDS. Every step of the way you guided me with high professionalism & human compassion. If I need a solicitor in future for any legal requirements I will always come back to you. I will recommend your firm to my friends & associates for any legal requirements & ask them to contact you.

Mr Hussain

Rahima was an incredibly supportive and diligent solicitor supporting me while buying my new home, she helped make the process easy to understand and helped it go through in record time. 

Mr Steanson

I had a fantastic experience working with CDS on purchasing my first property. With no prior experience in buying a property, CDS gave me a dedicated solicitor who was always available and took me through the entire process explaining every step. Rahima was a key factor in helping me nail down my first property.

I will definitely recommend.

Mr Musi

Property transactions are expensive, and stressful even if everything goes right, so knowing that we could trust our solicitor was invaluable. Alexy and Justina were brilliant: Fast and clear communication; I don't recall having to ask for anything more than once; when the other side wanted something Alexy and Justina made sure that we knew what our options were for responding. They explained jargon, asked questions to make sure they knew what we wanted and that we understood the process. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Client

My husband and I have used Charles Douglas Solicitors for our conveyancing over the past 6+ years, we have bought and sold properties with them and they have been fantastic. We found the team to be very knowledgeable, professional, attentive, helpful and easy to get hold of when queries arise. We would particularly like to mention Meera who is always a pleasure to work with.

Mrs Lindsay

Lauren and George have been extremely helpful before, during and even after the completion date of my purchase. They have been very professional throughout the process with a clear and transparent channel of communication. They always look out for what was best for my interest while keeping the process as efficient as possible.

Client

I had a fantastic experience from start to finish with Charles Douglas Solicitors. They were proactive in following up with everyone involved in the transaction to ensure it was completed as efficiently as possible and provided me with comprehensive updates throughout the process.

Ritam Gandhi

Charls Douglas solicitors LLP was recommended to me by Foxtons the estate agents Bell Green and my dealings with them true Lauren managed to get my new apartment signed sealed and delivered in 21 days which I thought was amazing Lauren who acted on my behalf was very supportive and also very responsive to all the questions and answers and thanks to her I am very happy to continue working with Lauren at Charls Douglas solicitors LLP

Client

Richard and Lauren at Charles Douglas seamlessly stepped into our sale and purchase halfway through, and efficiently progressed the transactions through to completion in a very tight timetable. They were professional, responsive and a pleasure to deal with. We would not hesitate to recommend them and will certainly use their services again in the future. 

Client

Example areas of expertise.

Acquisitions of commercial property including hotels, offices, single retail units, shopping centres and business parks and industrial estates whether as freehold investments, or negotiating and granting long leases

Advice on covenants in commercial leases

Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 advice

Portfolio management for property owners and landlords (offshore trust companies, pension funds, family trusts, corporate entities and individuals)

Lease management work including licences to alter, assign and sublet, as well as due diligence on acquisitions and leases.

Our Commercial Property Team.

Our Commercial Property team is experienced and knowledgable, with a focus on driving results and communicating with our clients.

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