Real estate, planning & construction

Expert legal guidance and support from trusted Real estate planning and construction solicitors

Understanding real estate, planning and construction law

At Russell-Cooke, we’re different from our peers.

We work as an integral part of and alongside our clients’ businesses to help achieve their full potential.

We provide a first class service on all aspects of commercial property, whether advising on investment, development or financing. We understand the importance of providing commercial, comprehensive advice at every stage.

We work with you as well as for you. Our clients remain so for years because we go the extra mile.

How our real estate, planning and construction solicitors can help you

The breadth of our real estate practice and our varied client base distinguishes us from other firms.

We work in all areas of the sector, from houseboats to helipads. We act for HNW individuals, family businesses, investors, developers, charities, and for both landlords and tenants.

We have experience supporting high-profile matters for large multinational companies.

Residents freehold and management companies

Residents’ freehold and management companies

Our specialist solicitors regularly work together to advise agents, directors, and shareholders on all matters relating to RFMCs, whether relating...

Rural and agribusiness

Rural and agribusiness

Russell-Cooke’s cross-sector offers a comprehensive rural and agribusiness service, spanning real estate, finance, planning, viticulture, disputes, trusts, compliance, and more...

Corporate occupier

Corporate occupier

Our expert advice provides our clients with assurance in the rapidly evolving retail sector and assists them in expanding and building a solid base for their portfolio...

The team is very responsive and provides down to earth commercial and pragmatic advice. Every challenge thrown at them is always met head-on, with no issues or pushback with more complex matters.
Chambers UK (2025)

Our approach

Our expertise and in-depth market knowledge is especially strong in the retail sector. We advise investment landlords on retail properties and high-profile retailers such as Wasabi, Pret A Manger and Eat.

We prioritise commercial awareness of a client’s business needs, enabling us to deliver solid commercial advice as opposed to just providing legal advice. This has resulted in enduring relationships with key clients.

We are part of the Legus and Lexunion international networks of law firms and work closely with property lawyers overseas to ensure our clients’ property needs are met throughout the world.

Our team offers a ‘full service’ for our real estate clients. This includes:

  • acting on site acquisitions
  • advising on planning issues, construction and development matters as well as investment, lettings and ultimately disposals
Corporate real estate

Corporate real estate

We field a full-service commercial property department, which is adept in handling investments, landlord and tenant work, finance transactions and...

A shopping centre with two women walking over a tiled floor bridge above additional exposed floors and shops below

Real estate investment

We can advise on the most appropriate vehicle for the acquisition and the best way of structuring and financing the transaction...

Planning

Our planning team regularly deals with the type of bespoke, time-critical and high value work typical of top City firms, often facing much larger teams.

We work closely with clients and their advisers, often from an early stage, so that planning proposals can be drawn up in a way most likely to achieve success. We advise on high-profile matters on niche areas of planning law and can support you on matters that involve novel issues of law.

We have a wide range of clients including strategic land owners, property developers, land promoters, charities, planning consultants, private individuals, financial institutions and energy companies and work on projects of all sizes across England and Wales.

Planning for businesses

Planning for businesses

Our planning lawyers are deliberately part of our real estate team, as we recognise that often planning is not a discrete area...

Planning for individuals

Planning for individuals

The planning team covers a comprehensive range of advice and support throughout all aspects of the planning process...

Construction

Our construction specialists advise funders, employers and contractors on a wide range of construction matters.

We can help you with:

  • building contracts and sub-contracts (industry standard or bespoke)
  • consultants' appointments
  • collateral warranties and third party rights
  • performance bonds and parent company guarantees

Our clients include major public companies, charities, independent and public sector developers, contractors and a wide range of clients in the construction field. The sites under development are very diverse, ranging from large mixed-use schemes on brownfield sites to small residential developments.

Commercial development and construction

Commercial development and construction

We understand the importance of providing commercial, comprehensive advice at every stage - from initial consideration...

Construction disputes

Construction disputes

We advise owners, employers, developers, contractors, sub-contractors and construction professionals (including architects and surveyors) on disputes...

Family Office service

About our Family Office services

Russell-Cooke’s Family Office offer clear, practical advice on anything from wills and pre-nuptial agreements to business and property portfolios via philanthropic aims and reputational issues.

Find out how Russell-Cooke’s Family Office provide families with seamless access to the specialist advice they need and when they need it.

Generation Game Office Service

Family Office service

Find out how we can help individuals and families make informed decisions about their future planning and navigate the difficult conversations that might otherwise lead to conflict.

Get in touch

If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our real estate planning and construction solicitors; Holborn office (Email Holborn)  +44 (0)20 3826 7523; Kingston office (Email Kingston) +44 (0)20 3826 7518; Putney office (Email Putney) +44 (0)20 3826 7518 or complete our form.

Get to know our real estate, planning and construction team

Get in touch with one of our solicitors


There is peace of mind that there is always a senior partner available to make contact with if necessary, however this is rarely needed as the strength of their associates is very good. Compared to other firms, their efficiency stands out along with their clear advice and understanding of different scenarios.
The Legal 500 (2025)
The firm balances the needs of providing legal advice with the commerciality of the client and their needs.
Chambers UK (2025)

Read the latest e-update from our real estate, planning and construction team

At Russell Cooke, we're committed to providing you with the knowledge and resources you need to navigate the ever-evolving real estate legal landscape. Our curated content, refreshed three times a year, is tailored for real estate enthusiasts, industry professionals and legal experts. 

Real estate legal news—April 2024

Real estate legal news—May 2024

Welcome to the third edition of Russell-Cooke’s real estate legal news. We would like to take the opportunity to update you on the developments, trends, concepts and issues that have caught the attention of our contributors in recent months.

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News

12.11.2024

Restrictive covenants on title: key considerations for developers

For property developers, restrictive covenants can create unexpected challenges. These covenants are essentially private restrictions on land use that can limit...
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10.11.2024

Real estate support in corporate transactions

When Benjamin Franklin expressed those words, he probably didn't realise the true significance of this saying in the context of real estate support on corporate...
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05.11.2024

Data centres in the UK: challenges and opportunities in development

A more specialist planning regime to accommodate data centres could be on the way, which would streamline the process for these developments...
Edward Fairweather, Senior associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, real estate, planning and construction team. Hebe Robinson, Trainee in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, dispute resolution team.
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