Occupier Services

We advise a wide range of occupiers across various sectors, supporting them through every stage of their property lifecycle. The space a business occupies can have a significant impact on its people, operations and brand. Our clients rely on us not just as lawyers, but as commercial partners who bring deep market insight and sector-specific experience to every negotiation.

From global corporates relocating their UK headquarters to scaling businesses optimising their footprint for modern working, we help clients secure space that meets their needs and supports long-term success. We regularly negotiate with some of London’s most high-profile landlords and are known for our collegiate and pragmatic approach, securing strong commercial outcomes while preserving positive landlord relationships.

Our experience spans offices, life sciences, data centres, healthcare and retail. We advise on a wide range of leasing arrangements, including green and dark green leases in some of the UK’s most recognised sustainable buildings.

We work seamlessly with our Construction and Planning teams, from negotiating dilapidations on exit to managing complex, multi-million pound fit-out projects in landmark buildings.

Our services include:

Lease negotiation and structuring: Advising occupiers on heads of terms, lease obligations, incentives and rent review mechanisms to secure favourable, future-proofed terms aligned with operational needs.

HQ relocation and strategic occupancy projects: Supporting national and global businesses with the legal aspects of major relocations, including site due diligence, exit strategies and build-to-suit arrangements.

Green lease advisory: Advising on green and dark green leases, including sustainability-linked obligations, performance targets and rights to access building environmental data.

Dilapidations and lease exits: Guiding occupiers through end-of-lease liabilities, including negotiating dilapidation settlements and managing exit works to minimise cost and disruption.

Fit-out and workplace projects: Working with our construction team to advise on procurement and project delivery for multi-million pound fit-outs, from contract negotiation to completion.

Occupational footprint optimisation: Helping businesses restructure their property portfolios in response to changing working practices, including lease regears, surrenders and flexible workspace arrangements.

Dispute resolution and landlord engagement: Resolving landlord and tenant issues through negotiation or a formal process, always with a view to maintaining relationships and achieving practical solutions.

Planning support for occupiers: Advising on planning permissions, use class considerations and permitted development rights for changes in use or workplace enhancements.

 

Recent Experience:

• Advising CFC Underwriting on their acquisition of a new London HQ across six floors at 8 Bishopsgate, the new landmark 50-storey tower in the city owned by Mitsubishi Estates and developed by Stanhope.
• Advising RiverStone International on its London HQ relocation to the fifth floor of the award winning 22 Bishopsgate.
• Acting for TT Group on the relocation of its London HQ to a new 15,000 sqft office at 5 Aldermanbury Square, from its previous offices at London Wall, coinciding with its rebrand from Telereal Trillium to the TT Group.
• Advising Revolut on the lease extension and exit from its existing premises on Westferry Circus and the ten year lease acquisition of three floors in the award winning net zero YY Building.
• Advising Qube Research & Technologies Ltd. on their leasehold acquisition of c. 45,000 sqft of space across floors 4-7 of the 160,000 sqft n2 office building at Land Securities’ new mixed-use Nova Estate in Victoria.
• Advising a global staffing and workforce solutions provider on the acquisition of a ten year lease on a significant London office space in Devonshire Square, including various “dark green” lease clauses and early access for fitting out works.
• Advising a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest PM/CM organisations on its HQ relocation and former premises exit including associated 1954 Act and dilapidations advice.
• Advising one of the UK’s largest business and landlord insurance providers on the acquisition of their ten year lease for 18,348 sqft in a twenty eight storey landmark tower near Moorgate.
• Advising one of the UK’s best known cinema advertising contractors on all aspects of the lease acquisition for their new London HQ in a prominent Blackfriars Road address.
• Advising a household brand name hardware retailer on their nationwide portfolio of 94 stores across the UK including numerous transactions and ongoing management work.
• Advising Sopra Steria on all real estate aspects of its English and Welsh portfolio, including a reversionary lease of their London flagship offices, and the acquisition of Bristol premises for a group subsidiary.