Development

THE PROGRESS of complicated property developments, often subject to costly delays, can be accelerated by good legal practice, according to lawyers at Bond Pearce.

The firm's development team members, who have been chalking up a string of successes, say the secret is in the ethos.

"We anticipate what the client needs," says partner Nigel Theyer.

"The ethos instilled here is to keep the deal moving. And if we think the transaction is proceeding too slowly, we'll act. We don't wait for the phone to ring."

The approach has borne fruit, with Bond Pearce boasting satisfied clients who have praised "rapid response rates" and the "quality of the job".

The team has advised on a range of high profile developments, including town centre redevelopment, regeneration of former docklands, new hotels and broadcast studios.

Bond Pearce's experts monitor constantly the changes to construction and planning laws that take place, Nigel says, on "a weekly basis".

Without that expertise, developments can stall. "We can demonstrate that we've dealt with big schemes - and dealt with them on time," Nigel says.

But legal experience and knowledge is even more valuable to clients if it is supported by other services.

Bond Pearce development lawyers scout the market to advise clients on commercial prospects. "Our knowledge of the market place - our market intelligence - is part of the comprehensive back-up that we offer clients.

"The team works closely with specialist colleagues from the Bond Pearce investment and regeneration teams," Nigel says.

"We can also call upon the skills of the planning, CPO and highways teams linked with construction, property finance, stamp duty, VAT and tax planning."