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Commercial Property

Any commercial property transaction needs careful management, whether you are acquiring your first commercial property, or you manage a full portfolio. Using our experience in the UK property market, our large commercial property team will work with you to understand your needs and business strategy and make sure your transaction happens smoothly in line with your commercial objectives.

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Key Commercial Property Services

  • Property development, property management, property finance, acquisition and sale of property portfolios
  • Full commercial conveyancing service including ownership investigation, searches, enquiries and a review of suitability for your intended use
  • Property litigation including boundary and rights of way disputes 
  • Property telecommunications advice, agreements and leases relating to the Electronic Communications Code
  • Construction projects 
  • Planning consultancy and planning law advice
  • Landlord and tenant advice including lease negotiations and lease agreements, assigning/transferring a lease, subletting, dilapidations, surrendering, lease renewal, break clauses and changing the use of the premises
  • Leasehold enfranchisement

Retail

Retail is a challenging industry and has been dealing with huge changes in consumer buying behaviours and demands over the last 12 months. Now more than ever retailers are having to adapt quickly, changing the use of their technology and their premises and storage facilities. With our experience in the UK retail sector we understand the challenges and are able to work with you to provide strategic advice and support, enabling your business to retain a competitive edge.

Some of the businesses we work with include:

  • Co-operative
  • Haskins
  • Hobbycraft

Development projects

Our experienced team of property development solicitors can support you in all aspects of property development and regeneration. Working with our combined group of specialists throughout the commercial property department, we can advise you on everything from site acquisition and planning applications through to construction and disposals of commercial space.

Our development specialists advise investors, landowners and property developers to ensure that projects are delivered in line with commercial needs.

Clients we have helped recently include:

  • Pirelli
  • McAleer Rushe
  • Drew Smith
  • Forelle Estates

Leisure

The leisure industry is facing a period of rapid transformation, driven by consumer habits, technology and the use of space. You need innovative, commercial advice from your legal team at this time and we have a wealth of experience of working with restaurants, public houses, coffee shops, hotels, holiday parks, marinas, cinemas, sports facilities and theatres and nightclubs, giving us a rounded view of what is happening in your industry right now.

For schools

Our Commercial Property team have specialist experience working with schools and education establishments. We can assist with:

  • general property management enquiries;
  • leases of education land from local authorities, faith bodies and other organisations;
  • tenancies granted to occupiers and users of the educational land;
  • building contracts and associated works in connection with building projects carried on at the educational establishment; and
  • planning enquiries and applications for the development of educational land.

In-House Counsel

Our team of experienced lawyers is well-equipped to support you in various ways. Whether you require advice on a specific issue, additional resources due to capacity constraints, or a second opinion, we are here to help. Explore our legal counsel page for more information and details on our schedule of seminars, specifically designed for in-house counsel.

How we work with you

Whilst based in the South of England, Paris Smith acts for businesses and families throughout the UK. Technology has enabled us to provide a high level of service to our clients whether they are local to our offices or not. Our advice can be given in many ways:

  • Over the telephone
  • Via video conferencing
  • In face to face meetings

We will talk through how you would like to be contacted and the best ways for us to meet in our early conversations with you.

Get in touch to speak with an expert.

Chambers Alternative 500

Introducing your key contacts

John Mansell

Partner – Head of Property and Development

Stuart Allen

Partner – Head of Property Finance, Winchester

Stuart Allen

Partner – Head of Property Finance, Winchester

How we’ve helped our clients

“Sources say “Paris Smith provides good, sound market-backed advice and understands commercial drivers of the client’s business;” and “Paris Smith offers a multidisciplinary approach with high-quality approachable partners and associates.””

Chambers Legal Directory 2025

“Sources say ‘The team at Paris Smith are highly experienced and knowledgeable in their field. They will always go the extra mile to ensure they provide a great service’; ‘They are quick to respond when contacted. They have excellent knowledge of the business sector. They are very keen to see the best outcome for clients’; ‘The team stands out due to its expertise, knowledge and experience’; and ‘They are a highly regarded multi-faceted law firm with expert people that provide an exceptional service’.”

Legal 500 2025 Edition – Client Testimonials

“We have been using Paris Smith for over 35 years for business and personal issues. I have always been more than happy with the service and in particular the relationship we have with the Property Team”

Barbara McDowell, Director

McDowell’s Development Company Limited

“I have worked closely with the Paris Smith team for a number of years on a range of property issues and have found them to be responsive, knowledgeable and excellent value for money. Their experience is evident in the professional manner they adopt and the outcomes achieved. They are very personable and their interest in both work and personal well being has earned my trust over numerous years. ”

Darren Nelson-Hall, Head of Estates

Co-Operative Group

“I would highly recommend working with the commercial property team at Paris Smith. Over the course of the last 5 years the client care provided by Hannah Winchester has been exceptional with numerous complex transactions being dealt with in a pragmatic and efficient manner. Hannah is always available to provide timely advice on a multitude of legal queries and it is a pleasure to work with her and the team. ”

John Hillman, Regional Acquisitions Manager – Co-Operative Group

“Our business needed a full range of property related advice including purchase, funding and construction. We wanted to move from a London based firm and were aware of Paris Smith’s experienced team. Paris Smith have been assisting us on options, conditional contracts, purchases together with funding, construction and appointment documents. Stephanie, along with her team, are always helpful, easy to reach and provide good advice. ”

Charles Wilkinson, Director – Footstep

“I approached Paris Smith to provide legal support for the acquisition of a substantial commercial property which involved some very complex bespoke terms, dealing with a large corporate company in the UK. I have known of Paris Smith for some time via business connections and networks, where they always come very highly recommended. Alex supported in 16 months of solicitor negotiations, including keeping things pushing forward across a national lockdown thanks to COVID-19, offering quick and personal updates on progress of the acquisition and a demonstrated a high level of detail when reviewing a large amount of documentation. I often recommend Paris Smith to fellow business connections and we will certainly be using Alex and the Paris Smith team again in due course. ”

Steven Northam – The IncuHive Group

“I have worked with Paris Smith Southampton for a number of years, and with Stephanie in Commercial Property and Planning for the last 2 years. The workload, and time constraints have been difficult, but Stephanie has handled the contract management professionally and expediently, and brought a calm to what could sometimes be a frenetic process! I regularly recommend Stephanie and Paris Smith to my business colleagues, and fully intend to use her going forward with my Commercial Property work.”

Sean Parrott, Director

Hoxton Bakehouse Ltd

“Stephanie Bellamy worked with me on some property related activity and I found her to be excellent. She was clear and efficient in responses and work undertaken, identified the key issues for me and worked to solve problems constructively.”

Ben White

“The solicitors have a lot of knowledge, and deal with even the most complex Telecom cases. There is a focus on client, ensuring that advice and support is always available.”

DH – Telecom Lease

“The team is highly competent and knowledgeable. Advice is very clear and timely. ”

Paul Kelly

Norma UK Ltd

“Emma has excellent ability to understand her client needs and deliver the solution”

Towerblock Ltd – Lease renewal

“After many experiences with solicitors over the years I am impressed by the performance of Jin Takhar, every email and phone call has been answered promptly and in a friendly helpful manner which is reassuring. Conveyancing can be stressful and I’d like to thank Jin for his help.”

Bing O’Toole – Commercial Property Purchase

“Referees say “The property and planning department at Paris Smith proved to be the perfect place to go for expert advice. They adopt a very collegiate and professional approach, are well respected in the industry, communicate very well, build constructive relationships between the contracting parties’ legal teams (which is so important) and are also really nice and decent to deal with”; “They have all the expertise you need to guide you through what can be a minefield. Costs are clearly laid out and all the work was delivered within pre-agreed budgets”; For a large business they are very friendly and approachable. I’m not a huge customer but I always feel like my business is valued. With a wide range of skills I have yet to find a matter they cannot help me with. Also what I like is that I have a few key contacts I deal with and if my issue needs to be handled by a different person within the firm they will direct me to the correct person” and “What make them different is they will make sure I get looked after and follow up. It’s the small things that make the difference. This is all backed up my simple and clear billing – which is done with a bit of common sense. They are about more than just billing!” ”

Legal 500 2024 Edition

“A referee says “Paris Smith demonstrated professionalism, patience, tenacity and, above all, a practical and commercial approach to get the matter completed.””

Chambers & Partners 2023 – Referee Comments

“Amanda Brockwell is knowledgeable across a wide scope of corporate and commercial work. She acts for a broad clientele of corporates, private equity funds and venture capital investors. “She is so incredibly switched-on to our market sector that she adds true value above and beyond her remit.””

Chambers & Partners Legal Directory 2021

Chambers Top Ranked logo 2025

Chambers and Partners Legal Directory 2025

What the team is known for

Paris Smith offers particular expertise in the retail sector, acting for various well-known clients on leases, acquisitions and disposals. The firm continues to carry out commercial development work. Its mandates include multimillion-pound residential development schemes across the South of England. In addition, the firm is experienced in advising on real estate finance matters.

Strengths

“Paris Smith provides good, sound market-backed advice and understands commercial drivers of the client’s business.”

“Paris Smith offers a multidisciplinary approach with high-quality approachable partners and associates.”

Notable Practitioners

Jo Spittles

Joanne Spittles is experienced in acting for both developer and commercial clients. She advises clients on a range of matters spanning development, acquisitions and disposals.

“Joanne Spittles is a brilliant and hardworking lawyer who provides a very high level of client service on both complex development projects and smaller sales.”

“Joanne Spittles is very knowledgeable in her field and always delivers on time and to a high standard.”


Legal 500 Top Tier 2025 Logo

Legal 500 2025 – Top Tier

Paris Smith LLP is well-placed to assist clients with the full gamut of leasehold enfranchisement, commercial and residential development projects, and property finance matters. John Mansell heads the team in Southampton, while the ‘hugely experienced’ Joanne Spittles advises on a wide variety of issues, including acquisitions and promotion agreements. Rachel Saint specialises in transactions within the retail and leisure sectors, and Hannah Winchester has vast experience in acting for retailers in landlord and tenant matters. Claire Long is a standout member of the team, who is recommended for her skill in managing real estate portfolios. In Winchester, Stuart Allen routinely acts for challenger banks and private lenders in property finance mandates.

What our clients say:

‘Claire Long and Rachel Saint are both extremely personable and dedicated to providing a bespoke service.’

‘The team at Paris Smith are highly experienced and knowledgeable in their field. They will always go the extra mile to ensure they provide a great service.’

‘The team stands out due to its expertise, knowledge, and experience.’

‘They are a highly regarded multi-faceted law firm with expert people that provide an exceptional service.’

‘Joanne Spittles is a hugely experienced commercial property lawyer. She possesses expert knowledge of all commercial property transactions, including leasing, pre-lets, investment acquisitions/disposals, and funding solutions. Her greatest strength is her commercial acumen, which she uses to help advise and steer clients through complex negotiations and deliver a successful outcome.’

‘They are quick to respond when contacted. They have excellent knowledge of the business sector. They are very keen to see best outcome for clients.’

‘Joanne has been great to work with. She provides sound advice, prompt responses, and she is patient under testing circumstances.’

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