Real Estate Finance

Druces’ has longstanding experience in advising on all aspects of real estate finance, combining expertise in technical legal matters with knowledge of market trends and commercial developments affecting the sector.

We act for borrowers and lenders on major real estate finance transactions, including property acquisition finance, construction finance, ‘off-plan’ development funding, bridging and mezzanine facilities and listed and unlisted corporate and REIT property funding transactions. Our clients include national and international: banks and financial institutions, investment funds, bridging and mezzanine finance providers, property companies, private investors, building societies and a range of borrowers.

Legal 500 commentary

Druces was again ranked in the Legal 500 for Real Estate Finance work, with the 2019 edition noting. “At Druces LLP, the ‘overall level of service is superb‘: ‘partners stay actively engaged in the deals and provide commercial, sensible advice‘.” Furthermore, “Christopher Axford heads the practice, which also includes Suzanne Middleton-Lindsley,  They ‘demonstrate an excellent technical ability, are thorough and methodical, and best of all are an absolute pleasure to deal with‘.”

Recent work

• Last year we advised over 100 property investment syndicates in all matters relating to their investment, from initial purchase of investment property through a nominee company and its financing, its subsequent management and eventual disposal.
• We advise a notable London bank on the terms of its new property finance transactions.  All of these facilities were to property developers and all involved development or refurbishment financing.  Our advice included sharia’a compliance advice.
• We acted for a property investment company in the £25m refinancing of a portfolio of retail and business parks in the South of England.
• We advised an Islamic bank on the £30m financing, through a Murabaha structure, of a large Midlands logistics hub.
• We acted for a group of Middle Eastern Investors in connection with the acquisition and lease back of a government building in the East Midlands.
• We advised two new bridging finance providers on all aspects of their business, from incorporation and regulatory matters, through to assisting with their day to day lending transactions.