Panel of Solicitors. For commercial property transactions. Approved for investor use

Transcription

1 Panel of Solicitors For commercial property transactions Approved for investor use

2 for commercial property transactions Working with many different professionals has taught us the value that experience can add. We ve used that experience to assemble a panel of solicitors who are tried and trusted when it comes to commercial property and SIPPs. To help you with your choice, we have included some information on the following pages. The biographies have been provided by the solicitor firms. The panel is available for properties in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. You can still use your own choice of solicitor and are not restricted to this panel. 2

3 for commercial property transactions England and Wales Bond Dickinson have established themselves as a Top 40 law firm with eight offices across the UK. Their Real Estate Pension Investment team handle the full range of freehold and leasehold transactions on behalf of large scale pension providers and individual pension investors in England, Scotland and Wales. The dedicated team set up eight years ago by Joe Haigh (noted as an expert in Chambers and whose own experience stretches back more than 15 years) have handled over 3,000 transactions and pride themselves on the levels of personal service delivered to clients in this niche area to ensure a smooth customer journey from instruction to completion. The primary focus is a swift acquisition with comprehensive due diligence ultimately to facilitate the eventual liquidation of pension assets (i.e. to provide death benefits at a future point in time). This regularly includes properties as diverse as industrial and retail warehouses, multi-let offices, hotels and property tailored for the medical profession (doctors, dentists, vets). The diverse experience and depth of in-house support enjoyed by the Bond Dickinson team - headed up by Joe Haigh across England and Wales and Michael Spence in Scotland - enables them to adapt to the requirements of the individual investor by harnessing the experience gained from past transactions, utilising knowledge of working practices and (crucially) providing individual points of contact to establish dialogue, build working relationships and isolate problem areas. Joe Haigh, Director Tel joe.haigh@bonddickinson.com Birketts LLP is a long established and highly successful law firm, holding a place in the Lawyer s Top 100 UK law firms and recognised in the industry s leading independent directories as a top tier regional heavyweight. With a total headcount of 500, it is large enough to provide specialist skills in most areas of law but small enough to maintain a highly personalised service. Birketts property team is one of the best regarded in the east of England, serving clients nationwide and is noted in Chambers as being the strongest property team in East Anglia. It comprises over 60 specialists dealing with all types of commercial property transactions, supported by colleagues with construction, planning and commercial expertise. The depth and range of expertise means the team can work together on major and complex transactions on cost effective terms and also deal with high volume and bulk transactions, providing clients with true value for money. Birketts specialist SIPP property team is led by Oliver Crichton. Its experience, knowledge and unique understanding of the issues particularly relevant to Suffolk Life (including SIPP rules, scheme structures and procedures and risks) results in a seamless process for all transactions. Oliver Crichton, Partner Tel oliver-crichton@birketts.co.uk As one of the UK s Top 100 law firms with offices in London, Bristol, Swindon and Bath, the firm s strategic growth over the past five years has provided a platform to recruit some of the best lawyers in the region. The integration between the commercial teams and the wellrenowned private client department has meant that Thrings is able to offer a complete service for both individuals and businesses. The firm offers specialist advice from partner-led teams whose expertise matches that found in much larger City firms. Within Thrings substantial Commercial Property team, there has been a dedicated group of specialist lawyers dealing with Pension Fund property related transactions for well over 12 years. Alex Pinhey, who leads the team, and Rosalind Sopel are experts in the acquisition, investment management and disposal of commercial property using SIPPs. They are routinely instructed by a number of high profile insurance companies and pension providers who administer SIPPs for their pension scheme members. Alex Pinhey, Partner Tel apinhey@thrings.com 3

4 for commercial property transactions Scotland All of the directors have experience of dealing with SIPP and SSAS transactions in both corporate and real estate spheres as well as handling litigation for our SIPP and SSAS clients as the need arises. As a leading business law firm, DWF is dedicated to offering robust legal advice rooted in specialised sector expertise. This approach enables them to understand the issues, anticipate obstacles and help their clients successfully negotiate the particular challenges of their business landscape. With DWF you will get a dedicated team with current, relevant experience and lawyers with a pragmatic approach and enthusiasm for delivering the highest quality service and ensuring the right solutions are delivered to meet your objectives. DWF has one of the largest commercial real estate practices in the UK with the capacity to provide a wide range of property services. Combine this with their extensive sector knowledge and the result is a commercially focused approach to real estate matters, backed up with excellent service. Their Scottish commercial property team (working from offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh) is approachable and easy to work with and, wherever appropriate, they can call on expertise from colleagues in other disciplines to help you get the best results. This includes one of Scotland s most well thought of pensions teams who have worked together for decades to build one of the most respected reputations in this field. DWF s property and pensions teams work together to provide a fully integrated SIPP/SSAS property service to a range of providers/trustees and funders. Working together the teams secure for their clients efficient and compliant investment with appropriate risk control. Experience includes advising a number of SIPP providers on property investment and management matters. This includes more complex transactions involving multiple SIPP members or third parties, and they have experience in drafting precedent documents for use in SIPP transactions and in providing advice to SIPP providers in relation to their internal processes. Andrew Martin, Senior Solicitor Tel andrew.martin@dwf.co.uk Based in Glasgow, Curle Stewart is a niche corporate, commercial and commercial property firm made up of directors with significant big firm experience but operating in the structure of a smaller dedicated practice unit. As a result the service offered by Curle Stewart is truly partner led, with all directors maintaining individual contact with all clients and matters and direct control of all work carried on in their names. Curle Stewart pride themselves on turning round even the most complex transactions with speed and accuracy and have clear communication at the top of their client care priority list. The Curle Stewart SIPP team comprise Graham Richmond and Philip Curle on the property side, with Elspeth Curle leading the corporate and litigation aspects. All three have a client roster which belies the size of the firm, with clients including The William Hill Organization, Subway and CALA, to name but a few. Graham Richmond, Director Tel grichmond@curlestewart.co.uk Bond Dickinson have established themselves as a Top 40 law firm with eight offices across the UK. Their Real Estate Pension Investment team handle the full range of freehold and leasehold transactions on behalf of large scale pension providers and individual pension investors. The dedicated team set up eight years ago by Joe Haigh (noted as an expert in Chambers and whose own experience stretches back more than 15 years) have handled over 3,000 transactions and pride themselves on the levels of personal service delivered to clients in this niche area to ensure a smooth customer journey from instruction to completion. The primary focus is a swift acquisition with comprehensive due diligence ultimately to facilitate the eventual liquidation of pension assets (i.e. to provide death benefits at a future point in time). This regularly includes properties as diverse as industrial and retail warehouses, multi-let offices, hotels and property tailored for the medical profession (doctors, dentists, vets). The diverse experience and depth of in-house support enjoyed by the Bond Dickinson team - headed up by Joe Haigh across England and Wales and Michael Spence in Scotland - enables them to adapt to the requirements of the individual investor by harnessing the experience gained from past transactions, utilising knowledge of working practices and (crucially) providing individual points of contact to establish dialogue, build working relationships and isolate problem areas. Michael Spence, Partner Tel michael.spence@bonddickinson.com 4

5 for commercial property transactions Northern Ireland Tughans is one of Northern Ireland s longest established and most respected commercial law firms, recognised as being eminent across all commercial practice areas. Specialist partner-led teams are at the core of their business, offering bespoke client-focused solutions. They place the same emphasis on commercial intelligence as legal expertise, which is why they are trusted advisers to many of Northern Ireland s leading organisations and international companies investing in the region. They work alongside a diverse range of clients, from local entrepreneurial start-ups to pension funds, the public sector and large multi-national organisations. Clients value how they work with them not just as legal counsel but as business partners, resulting in their strong reputation for providing pragmatic, commercially realistic guidance, with significant partner level involvement providing a personal touch. To ensure their clients needs are met throughout the UK and Ireland they have a significant number of dual qualified lawyers working across the different jurisdictions and they work directly with leading Dublin law firm William Fry, while internationally they have strong ties with firms across Europe, the USA and Asia to ensure a seamless multi-jurisdictional service. They have a dedicated team that focuses on providing the full range of property and banking legal services required by both large institutional and smaller personal pension funds, along with the specialist advice required in establishing trusts and dealing with governance issues. As a result, Tughans is the law firm of choice for a significant number of pension fund providers across the UK and Ireland. David Jones, Partner Tel david.jones@tughans.com Established over 65 years ago, Wilson Nesbitt Solicitors are recognised as one of the leading law practices in Northern Ireland; their property teams year on year lodge more land registry applications in the Land Registry of Northern Ireland than any other firm. Wilson Nesbitt provide legal advice and assistance to a number of leading pension providers and are the sole provider of SIPP legal services for a number of UK based pension providers. Wilson Nesbitt place a great deal of focus on close interaction with both the pension provider and the investor s representatives; the firm operates an open door policy that encourages regular interaction with the investor s financial advisers. Wilson Nesbitt are proud to have been accredited with the Lexcel Quality Award each year since 2003 which is the Law Society equivalent of ISO9001. The firm is focused around people with a positive, can do attitude, who pride themselves on having an approachable, straightforward and direct attitude. Their service is based on ensuring their knowledge and experience is applied in the manner that their client s require and that they are accountable and responsive to client needs. Wilson Nesbitt use deal specific software to provide an almost entirely electronic service utilising scanning, electronic filing, , direct phone dial access and case management systems to ensure swift and efficient delivery of high quality service levels. Neil Logan heads up the firm s dedicated SIPP Property team and is glad to assist at any time. Neil Logan, Partner Tel nlogan@wilson-nesbitt.co.uk 5

6 Property What will I pay? Solicitor fees The panel solicitors will all charge the same fees. Purchase or part-purchase 1 of a commercial property (including a transfer of a property into your plan) 2 Other charges Value of property 0-249,999 1, , ,999 1, , ,999 1, ,000 or over 2,100 Additional charges will apply in the following cases: Condition If the property has a long leasehold attached If the property is a new build If the property requires funding via a mortgage If a new lease is required on completion 250 To be agreed at outset Sale or part-sale of a commercial property (including a transfer of a property out of your plan) Value of property 0-249,999 1, , ,999 1, , ,999 1, ,000 or over 2,050 Additional charges will apply in the following cases: Condition If the property has a long leasehold attached If there is a mortgage to pay off on completion Type Farm Business Tenancy 3 Tenancy less than two years 550 Tenancy two years or longer 1,000 Surrender of a lease Deed 500 Agreement 850 Lease reports Included in above Rent deposit deed 350 Additional charge if the lender s consent is required 150 for any of the above New lease for a wholly or partially owned property (does not cover negotiation of terms within the lease) Renewal of lease (does not cover negotiation of terms within the lease) Connected tenant 4 Please note that all fees are subject to possible review, depending on the exact nature of the service provided, including but not limited to transactions of a more protracted/complex nature. Unconnected tenant 650 1, License to assign a lease License to underlet Deed of Variation License for alternations to premises under a lease Additional agreement for lease (with or without the landlord s works) All fees are subject to VAT and any Stamp Duty Land Tax and disbursements (for example Land Registry fees and out of pocket expenses) will be payable in addition. Please note: 1 In Scotland, part purchase of a property is not available. 2 In Northern Ireland, if the property is unregistered, there will be an additional charge of In Scotland, a Farm Business Tenancy will be substituted by a Short-Form Limited Duration Tenancy ( 1,000) or a Limited Duration Tenancy ( 1,500). 4 A connected tenant is a connected party as defined in section 993 of the Income Tax Act 2007, and includes close members of your family and any business with which you are associated. 6

7 Property What will I pay? Suffolk Life fees Suffolk Life fees are in addition to the solicitor fees. If you use one of the panel solicitors, Suffolk Life fees are a fixed cost. Item Acquisition 1,450 Disposal 600 These two fees do not attract VAT. Other Suffolk Life fees associated with holding a property within your SIPP, such as the annual property facility fee, will also be applicable. See the Schedule of s for full details. If you do not use one of the panel solicitors, your fees will be time-costed and can be found in our Schedule of s for your plan at 7

8 Suffolk Life 153 Princes Street Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 1QJ United Kingdom Tel Fax Please remember not to send any personal, financial or banking information via as it is not a secure method of communication. Suffolk Life Pensions Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (number ) and is registered in England and Wales (number ). Suffolk Life Annuities Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (number ) and is registered in England and Wales (number ). The registered office of both companies is 153 Princes Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1QJ, United Kingdom. Tel: Fax: We may record and monitor calls. Call charges will vary. Q July 2015