The ‘dynamic and forward-thinking’ team at Acuity Law provides ‘commercial and pragmatic’ advice to developers, landowners and investors across a wide range of Wales and UK-based commercial real estate projects. With a ‘pragmatic and outcomes-focused’ approach, team head Gareth Baker has a strong retail, industrial and office development practice, and advises both developers and landowners on joint venture and collaboration agreements. Steve Morris‘ ‘innovative approach’ ensures that he is well-positioned to advise on large-scale projects working with both developers and funders, and Damien Cann is very skilled at advising on debt and equity-funded development schemes; he has been involved in the firm’s work on high-profile office, hospitality and mixed use developments in Cardiff city centre. Ben Honour is also a key member of the team, handling the acquisition and disposal of commercial property and development projects.

The ‘client-centric’ team at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP provides ‘considered advice’ to stakeholders across commercial real estate projects regionally, nationally and globally. Renewable energy-related real estate work remains a core area of strength, with Geraint Pullin Thomas particularly noted for his solar expertise. James Trafford is also adept at handling energy-related matters, work which he combines with his overarching role as global real estate head. Leading the Cardiff real estate team, Andrew Burns focuses on infrastructure and transport matters, including a niche practice, on both the operator and landowner side, in the electric vehicle charging space. Other key team members include David Emberson, for logistics and industrial-related investor work; Gareth Ashfield, who excels at development and landlord and tenant matters; and Elizabeth Fevyer, for education-related real estate issues.

Leveraging the expertise of a large core commercial property team, as well as the firm’s in-house roster of property professionals which includes quantity surveyors, Blake Morgan LLP is well-positioned to advise stakeholders on commercial property projects in the private, public and third sectors. Team head James Egan often takes the lead on high-profile and complex mandates, and the ‘gifted and highly experienced’ Louise Howells excels in handling commercial property work within the social housing field, regularly advising Wales and increasingly England-based housing associations. Nigel Griffiths continues to act for longstanding client Canary Wharf Group on its retail portfolio, work he handles alongside Daniela Smith, who also excels at advising on development transactions for both public and private sector organisations. Geoff Reed retired in April 2024.

Led by Susanne Bradley, Geldards LLP handles a mix of work for stakeholders engaged in commercial real estate projects in both the public and private sectors. The firm regularly picks up mandates for the Welsh government, including Adam Thomas‘ advice to Welsh Ministers on the acquisition of Coney Beach Funfair, part of the Porthcawl Waterfront Regeneration Scheme. As part of his broad swathe of work, Ioan Owen has a notable landlord and tenant practice, that includes advising national retailers on leases throughout Wales and England. Acting for housing associations on the expansion of their property portfolios, senior associate Henry Bright also provides support to Bradley on high-level Welsh government projects.

Under the leadership of seasoned property lawyer Peter Hurn, Hugh James is best known for its development practice. As well as advising a number of high-profile house builders on residential development projects, the team is also skilled at advising on complex projects on brownfield sites. The social housing sector also informs a good deal of the practice's workflow, with the ‘very knowledgeable’ Caroline O’Flaherty taking the lead on a raft of regeneration projects and mixed-use developments. Daniel Morgan is a key contact within the team with a focus on property matters within the retail, leisure and gaming sectors, and Shelley Thomas also contributes to the practice.

Praised for its ‘client-first mindset and collaborative approach’, Swansea headquartered firm Morgan LaRoche has developed a strong local reputation among a diverse client base that includes large landowners, energy companies, commercial developers, and local businesses. Team head Kevin Thomas is an ‘excellent technical lawyer’, whose development practice covers the student accommodation, residential, industrial and retail sectors. Combining an ‘excellent attention to detail’ with a ‘very strong commercial understanding’, David Palmer excels at handling work for investors, as well as for clients in the care sector. In Carmarthen, Alun Price has a niche focus on advising landowners and developers on the commercial property aspects of work in the renewable energy sector.

The ‘knowledgeable and responsive’ team at Berry Smith handles work across the private and public sectors, where it excels at a range of regional and national commercial property transactions. Chris Jones has a focus on advising developers on the assembly of development sites for both residential and commercial developments. He co-heads the team alongside the ‘extremely helpful’ Martin Pursall, who is adept at handling secured lending matters for financial institutions.

Well known for its work in the social housing sector, particularly on the finance front, Clarke Willmott LLP also continues to consolidate and grow its offering from the Cardiff office across a range of private sector commercial real estate matters. Clare Gregory is key to this work, as is Julia Morris, who has added notable expertise to the firm’s development side work, in particular. Social housing finance expert Vicky Kells heads up the overarching team.

Darwin Gray LLP provides ‘solution-oriented’ advice to public and private sector clients across a range of commercial property mandates. Team head Catherine Burke‘s combination of property, planning, environmental and construction expertise allows her to negotiate complex transactions, including for developers, throughout the life-cycle of urban regeneration schemes involving landmark heritage buildings and dilapidated sites. The ‘exceptional’ Burke is also a key contact for local authority clients, along with Gareth Wedge.

Newport-based firm Harding Evans LLP provides a ‘client-focused approach, and innovative mindset’ to local stakeholders across a range of commercial property work. Michael Jenkins has a focus on development transactions, heading up the team that also includes the ‘dynamic, innovative, and client-focused’ James Young, who concentrates on landlord and tenant matters.

The ‘fantastic’ team at Howells Solicitors provides a ‘cost-effective and efficient’ service across a range of commercial property work, including in relation to commercial leases, property acquisitions and disposals. ‘Very knowledgeable’ team head Rhidian Hobbs is at the forefront with regard to commercial and residential developments projects. The ‘solution-focused’ Rhoslyn Harford has developed strong connections with various housing associations, regularly acting on housing portfolio matters.

Led by the ‘outstanding’ James Davies, the ‘very knowledgeable’ team at Newport-based firm RDP Law has very strong experience with a range of stakeholders seeking advice across a variety of commercial real estate projects throughout south Wales. Davies is particularly skilled at advising rural landowners in relation to renewable energy and strategic development schemes.

With a strong presence in Carmarthen and aided by key offices throughout south Wales, Red Kite Law LLP is a popular choice for developers, end users and investors across a wide range of commercial property matters, often within the agriculture sector. ‘Fantastic’ team head Lucy Hollis provides ‘commercial and practical’ advice to regional and local developers which benefit from her wide-ranging expertise that also encompasses environmental issues.